Rás Tailteann 2024 to start in midlands
The 2024 edition of the Rás Tailteann will kick off in Tullamore, with the prestigous race to take place from Wednesday, May 22 to Sunday, May 26.
Stage 1 will start in Tullamore on May 22 and will make its way south to take in Birr, Borrisokane, Nenagh, Birdhill, Newport, Caherconlish and Bruff, before finishing in Kilmallock. This stage of the 69th edition of the race will cover a distance of 148 kilometres.
The fact that the race will start in Tullamore and also make its way to Birr will spark plenty of interest among cycling enthusiasts in Offaly and indeed throughout the Midlands.
The 2024 edition will also have finishes in Sneem, on the famous ‘Ring of Kerry’, Cahir, Co. Tipperary and Kildare town, with the fifth and final stage of the 2024 Rás Tailteann finishing in Bective, Co. Meath. The final stage will take in three laps of a spectator-friendly finishing circuit (see below for more details of the stages).
A total of 784.8 kilometres of Irish roads awaits this year's entrants with a total of 18 categorised climbs over the five stages. And the 2024 Rás Tailteann winner will get their hands on the famous George Plant trophy.
Ahead of the route launch, Race Director Ger Campbell said: “We are delighted to be able to reveal details of the Rás Tailtean 2024 route. This year's route is more difficult than the previous two editions, with a welcome return to cycling strongholds such as ‘The Rebel’ and ‘The Kingdom’ counties.
"There are a series of very tricky climbs along the way southwards and back up the country towards our ultimate finish in Bective on Sunday, May 26th, for what promises to be an extra special day. I would like to thank all the stage start and stage finish towns along with all the stage co-ordinators for their extremely helpful input and dedication to the 2024 route."
Entry details are due be released soon and organisers are reporting that there is already huge interest from teams at home and abroad.
Stage 1: Tullamore, Co. Offaly to Kilmallock, Co. Limerick (distance 148kms): Wednesday, May 22. Tullamore – Birr – Borrisokane – Nenagh - Birdhill - Newport – Caherconlish – Bruff - Kilmallock.
Stage 2: Kanturk, Co. Cork to Sneem, Co. Kerry (distance 187kms): Kanturk – Newmarket – Ballydesmond – Castleisland - Killorglin – Waterville – Caherdaniel - Sneem.
Stage 3: Kenmare, Co. Kerry to Cahir, Co. Tipperary (distance 155kms): Kenmare – Kilgarvan – Glenfesk – Rathmore – Mallow – Doneraile – Mitchelstown - Cahir.
Stage 4: Horse and Jockey, Co. Tipperary to Kildare town, (distance 139kms): Horse and Jockey – Urlingford – Ballyragget – Castlecomer – Killeshin – Carlow – Stradbally – Kildangan – Monasterevin - Kildare town.
Stage 5: Maynooth, Co. Kildare to Bective, Co. Meath (distance 156kms, including three laps of finishing circuit): Maynooth - Dunboyne – Ratoath – Ashbourne – Stamullen – Julianstown - Laytown – Drogheda - Donore - Garlow Cross - Bective.