Latest news with #2025RásTailteann
Irish Independent
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Where to watch the Rás Tailteann in Kildare
The 70th edition of the annual international cycling stage race began on Wednesday, with the cyclists arriving in Kildare tomorrow during the last day of racing. Stage one of the race began on in the cycling stronghold of Drogheda, heading westwards to the finishline in Boyle, Co Roscommon. On stage two, the cyclists kicked off in Charlestown, Co. Mayo, and took on the infamous Windy Gap and Maumtrasna climbs in the longest of the stages. Mayo was again the start for stage three of the race, with cyclists heading off from Cong, along the Wild Atlantic Way and finishing in Miltown Malbay in Co Clare. Today's penultimate stage kicked off in Ennis, Co Clare and will end in Mountrath in Co Laois. Stage five of the 2025 Rás Tailteann: Kildare Town to Bective The fifth and final stage tomorrow is when the Rás will finally arrive in Co Kildare. This stage will see competitors cycle a distance of 142.8km from Kildare Town to Bective in Co Meath. Stage five will begin with the ceremonial start at 11.57am at the Kildare Heritage Centre in Kildare Town on the R415. Once the race begins, competitors will travel through Kildare Town, arriving in Miltown at about 12.05pm. From there, the cyclists will ride over the hump back bridge at the Hanged Man's Pub before turning left at David's Shop. It's expected the competitors will hit Kilmeague approximately between 12.12pm and 12.16pm. From there, they will turn left at Eleson Pub, head over the hump back bridge at Travellers Rest before eventually arriving in Allenwood between 12.18pm and 12.24pm. At Allenwood, they will turn left at Allenwood Stars, before hitting Derrinturn approximately between 12.29pm and 12.39pm. In Derrinturn, the cyclists will take the second exit at the roundabout travelling in the direction of the Enfield R402. Kilshanroe will be the last place in Co Kildare to catch a glimpse of the elite cyclists before they enter Co Meath and head towards the finish line. The cyclists are expected to travel through Kilshanroe approximately between 12.39pm and 12.52pm. From there, they will enter Co Meath, racing through Johnstown Bridge, Longwood and Dunsany. There is just one category three climb during this final day of racing and that's at Quarry Hill as the race leaves Dunsany. The riders will then enter the finishing circuit where it could well be a day for the sprinters. With a slightly changed circuit for 2025, four laps of the 12km loop will bring the curtain down on Rás Tailteann 2025 with a new champion of the George Plant Trophy to be crowned. The last hour of racing around the confines of Bective Stud promises to be a special spectacle for spectators and riders alike.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Rás Tailteann: Where to watch the race in Galway and Clare
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.
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Where to watch the 2025 Rás Tailteann in Kildare
The 70th edition of the annual international cycling stage race will begin on Wednesday, May 21, with the cyclists arriving in Kildare for the last day of racing on Sunday, May 25. Stage one of the race will begin on Wednesday, May 21 in the cycling stronghold of Drogheda in Co Louth, heading westwards to finish in Boyle, Co Roscommon. For stage two of the race, the cyclists will be transferred to Charlestown where the riders will take on the infamous Windy Gap and Maumtrasna climbs in the longest of the 2025 Rás Tailteann stages. Stage three of the race will start in Co Mayo where Cong will welcome the Rás Tailteann cyclists. After setting off from Cong, the riders will take in breath-taking scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way before the stage ends in Miltown Malbay in Co Clare. The penultimate stage will kick off from Ennis, Co Clare and take on two category three climbs before crossing the category one Wolftrap climb with less than 15kms remaining. Stage four will end in Mountrath in Co Laois. Stage five of the 2025 Rás Tailteann: Kildare Town to Bective The fifth and final stage on Sunday, May 25 is when the Rás will finally arrive in Co Kildare. This stage will see competitors cycle a distance of 142.8km from Kildare Town to Bective in Co Meath. Stage five will begin with the ceremonial start at 11.57am at the Kildare Heritage Centre in Kildare Town on the R415. Once the race begins, competitors will travel through Kildare Town, arriving in Miltown at about 12.05pm. From there, the cyclists will ride over the hump back bridge at the Hanged Man's Pub before turning left at David's Shop. It's expected the competitors will hit Kilmeague approximately between 12.12pm and 12.16pm. From there, they will turn left at Eleson Pub, head over the hump back bridge at Travellers Rest before eventually arriving in Allenwood between 12.18pm and 12.24pm. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more At Allenwood, they will turn left at Allenwood Stars, before hitting Derrinturn approximately between 12.29pm and 12.39pm. In Derrinturn, the cyclists will take the second exit at the roundabout travelling in the direction of the Enfield R402. Kilshanroe will be the last place in Co Kildare to catch a glimpse of the elite cyclists before they enter Co Meath and head towards the finish line. The cyclists are expected to travel through Kilshanroe approximately between 12.39pm and 12.52pm. From there, they will enter Co Meath, racing through Johnstown Bridge, Longwood and Dunsany. There is just one category three climb during this final day of racing and that's at Quarry Hill as the race leaves Dunsany. The riders will then enter the finishing circuit where it could well be a day for the sprinters. With a slightly changed circuit for 2025, four laps of the 12km loop will bring the curtain down on Rás Tailteann 2025 with a new champion of the George Plant Trophy to be crowned. The last hour of racing around the confines of Bective Stud promises to be a special spectacle for spectators and riders alike.
