15-05-2025
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.
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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.
