Michael Walker

A native of Dublin, Michael Walker was 25 and a fullback with the successful Old Saint Mary’s amateur football team before he took up competitive cycling. When his football club folded he turned his attention to two-wheel competition and two years later won the Irish Olympic trial race to qualify for the Stockholm Olympics. The 1912 Games were unique in that the United Kingdom entered three teams, one each for Ireland, England and Scotland, for the road race and Walker was the best of the Irish contingent in 67th place individually. His younger brother, John, also competed in the event and finished 81th. In 1913 Michael was Irish champion at 50 miles and set national records at both 12 and 24 hours.

Michael Walker also used his cycling skills for another purpose. In 1913 he joined the newly formed Irish Volunteers, which later became the IRA, and he became a cycle courier for the IRA during the troubles that led to the formation of the Irish Free State, taking part in the famous Dublin Easter Rising. Walker and his brother, John, were arrested in late April 1916 and were imprisoned in Stafford jail, but they were released after three months. They were fortunate as several of their associates were executed.