WATCH: British broadcaster racks up thousands of views on Midlands adventure
British broadcaster, TV presenter, and artist Timmy Mallett has been drawing major attention online as he continues his colourful exploration of the Irish Midlands, sharing moments from his journey through short videos, sketches, and reflections with his followers.
Travelling by bicycle, Mallett has been slowly making his way across the region, stopping in towns and villages including Athlone, Drum, Moate, Shannonbridge, Clonmacnoise and Birr.
Along the way, he has been painting scenes that capture what he often describes as the “magic of the moment,” combining his love of art with a slower, more reflective style of travel.
His journey has included visits to notable heritage sites such as the ancient Corlea Trackway and the peaceful St Brigid's Well, where he paused to sketch and reflect.
He also took in the recently reopened Banagher Outdoor Pool, which has just welcomed visitors again following its official reopening earlier this week.
Through his social media posts, Mallett has been sharing not just the landscapes but also his philosophy of “being present,” often stopping to paint, chat with locals, and soak in the surroundings rather than rushing from place to place.
His distinctive style has resonated with viewers, helping his videos gain thousands of views. A number of videos in the series garnering between 24,000 and 44,000 views each.
Mallett, who rose to fame as a vibrant children’s TV personality in the 1980s and 90s on shows like Wacaday and The Wide Awake Club, has spoken openly about the deeper inspiration behind his Irish journey.
Reflecting on his travels, he said: “This journey is inspired by my brother Martin with his language and learning challenges. Down syndrome never got in the way of enjoying the here and now of living. Being in the moment.”
He added that his cycling and painting are ways of embracing that mindset:
“I use my cycling and art to stop and be in the moment. On my cycle through the hidden heartlands I came to Athlone and chose to remember Martin and give thanks for his example.”