Quest Lough Derg returns to twin towns
Excitement is mounting for Quest Lough Derg on September 9 when over 2,000 adventurers, their family and supporters, will descend on Lough Derg for one of the most anticipated adventure races of the year.
Quest Lough Derg is now in its third year and involves participants running, kayaking and cycling around the Lough Derg region to experience more of the area in the best way possible. Participants have a choice of three exciting routes: 22km, 45km and 69km that take them from Ballina up as far as Tountinna and out to Moylussa.
Quest Lough Derg is always looking at ways to increase the impact this popular adventure race has on the local economy and maximise its tourism potential both domestically and abroad. Working with groups like Destination Lough Derg (formally the Lough Derg Marketing Group), Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland make this possible.
The support of Waterways Ireland, who encourage the use of their inland waterways for events such as this, allows Quest Lough Derg to achieve its impressive and electric finish with a run across a temporary pontoon bridge that spans the Shannon from Killaloe to Ballina. A spectacle taking many days to build and put into place especially for Quest Lough Derg, it attracts a significant number of spectators to the area, as it is the longest temporary bridge ever built across a river in Ireland.
Organisers Elite Event Management extend their thanks to Waterways Ireland for their help facilitating this feat of engineering.
Conceived for the first Quest Lough Derg in 2019, Elite Event Management came up with the idea when faced with the logistical challenge of moving participants safely across the water. In a joint partnership between Elite Event Management, Waterways Ireland, Tipperary and Clare County Councils and Fáilte Ireland, it is Ireland’s biggest temporary pontoon over the Shannon at 130 metres and was the first time a new bridge had been built in Killaloe in 300 years. The pontoon was designed and constructed by specialist contractors Pontoons Ireland, and takes around six days to build, with the assistance of three articulated trucks carrying specialist modular blocks, handrails and netting.
Launching this year’s event, in Garrykennedy, was Cian Murphy and Sarah Long from Elite Event Management, Sinead Cahalan from Destination Lough Derg and Brian Treacy and Damien McWeaney from Waterways Ireland.
This year, to help facilitate the numbers of people looking for accommodation for the event, facilities for camper vans and motor homes will be available specifically for event participants. Prior booking is required and anyone interested is asked to email info@eliteevents.ie for more information and to book their place.
Road closures will be in place on Saturday, September 9, in the Lough Derg area, specifically at Lakeside Drive from 6am to 6pm and the Graves of Leinstermen from 3am to 1pm. Full details can be found on the Quest website www.questadventureseries.com and posted on related social channels in the lead-up to the event.
With this in mind, event organisers thank residents and local businesses for their support and patience and hope they can join us during part of their busy day for some finish line fun.
RAVE AR ROTHAR GATHERING
Why not join us the night before on Friday, September 8, for Rave ar Rothar – the most fun you’ll have on a bike! Rave ar Rothar is the ultimate party on a bike to get you in the mood for adventure and warmed up for race day. Bring your sense of adventure, your best dance moves, your bike, bike lights and all the luminous gear you can find. Expect free fun re-living all the dance classics on your bike!
Anyone who wishes to watch the construction and positioning of the pontoon is encouraged to come along to Flanagan’s on the Lake on Friday, September 8. The bridge is open at certain times to the public in controlled numbers during the weekend, and these will be publicised closer to the event.