Kilmallock to host Rás Tailteann cycling race for the first time in history

FOR the first time in race history the international cycling race, Rás Tailteann, will finish a stage in a Limerick town. 

The first stage of the nearly 800km race, which takes place between May 22-26, will finish in Kilmallock followed by four more stages before the event finishes in Bective, Co Meath where the race will take in three laps of a 14.1KM spectator-friendly finishing circuit.

There is a total of five stages of varying length and difficulty that stretch the length and breath of the country beginning in Offaly and finishing in Meath. 

In the first stage of the cycle Caherconlish and Bruff will also feature before the finale of the stage in Kilmallock on Wednesday, May 22. 

Paul Gammell, of Kilmallock Cycles, has been a pivotal figure in getting the prestigious Rás Tailteann to visit Kilmallock in 2024.

Speaking about the race Gammell said: “For the last seven months I've been attending meetings, Zoom calls and meetings with Rás Tailteann race director, Ger Campbell, and organisers who travelled to meet me in Kilmallock to organise the stage finish on the streets.

“I wanted to bring something special to the town as a good news story and good news stories don’t get any bigger than this cycle race coming to the town of Kilmallock. The town is  steeped in history and this event of an Rás Tailteann stage finish in Kilmallock will be written proudly in to our town’s history books and talked about for years to come in the town and all of the surrounding area.”

The Kilmallock stage finish will take place on Wednesday, May 22 with the area with hundreds of  spectators expected to descend on the area to support the cyclists. 

Race, Director Ger Campbell said “This year's route is more difficult than the previous two editions of the race. A huge thanks has to go out to all the stage organisers that make it possible.”

Stage 1: Tullamore, County Offaly to Kilmallock, County Limerick (Distance: 148KM), Wednesday, May 22 nd 2024: Tullamore – Birr – Borrisokane – Nenagh - Birdhill - Newport – Caherconlish – Bruff - Kilmallock

Stage 2: Kanturk, County Cork to Sneem, County Kerry (Distance: 187KM): Kanturk – Newmarket – Ballydesmond – Castleisland - Killorglin – Waterville – Caherdaniel - Sneem

Stage 3: Kenmare, County Kerry to Cahir, County Tipperary (Distance: 155KM): Kenmare – Kilgarvan – Glenfesk – Rathmore – Mallow – Doneraile – Mitchelstown - Cahir

Stage 4: Horse and Jockey, County Tipperary to Kildare Town, County Kildare (Distance: 139KM): Horse and Jockey – Urlingford – Ballyragget – Castlecomer – Killeshin – Carlow – Stradbally – Kildangan – Monasterevin - Kildare Town

Stage 5: Maynooth, County Kildare to Bective, County Meath (Distance: 156KM including three laps of finishing circuit): Maynooth - Dunboyne – Ratoath – Ashbourne – Stamullen – Julianstown - Laytown – Drogheda - Donore - Garlow Cross - Bective