Ras Tailteann coming through North Tipperary this May

The Ras Tailteann will come through North Tipperary this May after the route for the 2023 edition was announced.

The race will get underway on Wednesday 17th May in Navan which will mark the 70 years of Navan Road Club finishing in Birr, via the Sliabh Bloom mountains in Kinnitty.

Stage 2 on Thursday 18th May will see the riders leave Birr and head into North Tipperary along the road to Portumna before cutting back at the Ferry, skirting Lough Derg, taking in Carrigahorig, Terryglass, Ballinderry, Puckane, and Newtown before taking in a category 3 climb in Portroe, before crossing the Shannon at Ballina/Killaloe, heading onto the stage finish in Ennis.

The 5-day race will finish in Blackrock, Co. Louth on Sunday 21st May.

Rás Tailteann is an international stage race around Ireland – commonly known as “The Rás”. The race is Ireland’s number one elite cycling event for men.

This epic race began in 1953 and has been held every year since bar one in 2019 and was postponed because of Covid 19 in 2020 and 2021.

It is one of Ireland’s top sporting events and has consistently brought world class sporting action and a significant economic boost to towns and villages nationwide. It has been a major event on the national and international calendar for many years, renowned for its role developing both Irelands top domestic riders as well as some of the worlds top names.

The Rás has a worldwide reputation of being a gruelling challenge. The open racing style allows amateur county and club riders to pit themselves against domestic and international professionals.