Rás Tailteann: Where to watch the race in Galway and Clare

Irish Independent

22-05-2025

The 70th edition of the famous cycling stage event kicked off on Wednesday, May 21, with British rider Tim Shoreman coming out on top at the end of stage one which ran from Drogheda, Co Louth to Boyle, Co Roscommon.
Stage two will take the riders from Charlestown, Co Mayo to Clifden, Co Galway via the infamous Windy Gap and Maumtrasna climbs in the longest stage of this year's Rás Tailteann.
For stage three of the race, riders will set off from Cong, Co Mayo and travel along the Wild Atlantic Way before finishing in Co Clare's Miltown Malbay for an overall distance of 163.8km.
Stage two of the 2025 Rás Tailteann: Charlestown to Clifden
The second stage on Thursday, May 22 will give locals in Co Galway their first opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Rás Tailteann cyclists.
The stage will see the riders travel 170.9km in total from Charlestown, Co Mayo to Clifden in Co Galway.
Stage two will begin with a ceremonial start in the square in Charlestown centre at 11.11am. Cyclists will then continue in Mayo for 114.7km, passing through towns including Bohola, Foxford, Castlebar and Tuar Mhic Éadaigh before reaching Co Galway between 1.38pm and 2.26pm.
Once entering Galway, the racers will be welcomed by a category two climb at Cill Dubh, lasting for 2.7km and finishing just shy of the Gabhlán stone between 1.45pm and 2.36pm.
The racers are expected to arrive in An Mám between 1.55pm and 2.49pm, turning right over the bridge as they head towards a stage three climb just outside the village.
The cyclists will turn right at staggered crossroads at Peacocks Hotel between 2.06pm and 3.03pm, around 5km shy of entering An Gaeltacht.
From there, the riders will be within 30km of arriving in Clifden, passing by Joyce's Craft Shop in Recess between 2.23pm and 3.26pm with 20km to go.
The race will finish at the bus stop in Clifden, with an expected arrival between 2.48pm and 3.59pm.
Stage three of the 2025 Rás Tailteann: Cong to Miltown Malbay
The third stage on Friday, May 23 will see the Rás Tailteann cyclists pass through several towns across Galway and Clare along the 163.8km route.
The ceremonial start will take place at the cross in the centre of Cong on the R346 at 10.57am, kicking off with a 13.3km ride towards Headford on the R334.
The riders expected to arrive in Headford between 11.16am and 11.22am, turning left at the traffic lights by Tesco and eventually heading towards Corofin.
Arriving in Corofin between 11.53am and 12.11pm, the cyclists will then head towards Athenry on the R347, passing the 50km mark en route.
The cyclists will enter Athenry between 12.18pm and 12.44pm, passing through the town centre on the R347 before taking the first exit on the Baunmore Roundabout, heading towards Craughwell on the R347.
The Rás will arrive in Craughwell between 12.29pm and 12.58pm, passing through the level crossing before turning left out of the town towards Ardrahan on the R347 around two minutes later.
Ardrahan comes after 83.4km – just over halfway – and will see the racers enter between 12.44pm and 1.19pm. The cyclists will turn left at Joyce's Pub towards Kinvara on the R347.
Kinvara is the last stop in Galway before the Rás crosses the border to Clare, with an expected arrival between 12.55pm and 1.34pm that will see the cyclists head towards Bell Harbour and Ballyvaughan in the Banner County.
Once passing through Ballyvaughan, the cyclists will face a category two climb on Corkscrew Hill for approximately 3km before reaching Lisdoonvarna between 1.40pm and 2.34pm.
Two further climbs face the cyclists, with a category three at Doonagore Cross for 2km immediately followed by a category two climb at the Cliffs of Moher, finishing on the 140.8km mark.
The cyclists will arrive in Liscannor between 2.03pm and 3.04pm and immediately head for Lahinch – the final town before the last stretch to Miltown Malbay.
Stage three of the Rás Tailteann will finish with a left turn at Dapper Dan's T-junction approximately 170m from the finish line, with the first cyclists expected to pass at around 2.24pm.