Tomás Walsh was taken far too soon, in a tragic accident, but now his family have Dornan Rás Mumhan have teamed up to honour him (Photo: Caroline Kerley)
Dornan Rás Mumhan has pulled a nice touch out of the bag, ahead of the 2026 edition the weekend after next, with news the race is to honour Tomás Walsh, who tragically lost his life in France last year.
The Co Kerry race is introducing the Tomás Walsh Memorial Cup for the blue jersey winner, of best C2 rider in the race. The trophy has been donated by Tomás’s family and his mother, Bernie, will present it to the winner this year.
It was a jersey that Tomás himself wore when he rode the 2019 Rás Mumhan with distinction; the year Ben Healy won the race overall.
Tomás, a Comeragh CC rider, had gone to France to see the Tour de France last year, when Healy won a stage and wore the yellow jersey. He sadly lost his life in an accident at a Paris train station.
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As well as racing at home - including riding very strongly in the Junior Tour of Ireland in 2018 and winning the Frank O'Rourke Memorial that year - he also went to Belgium to race for a period.
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"A hugely respected figure, Tomás Walsh was well known across the Irish cycling community," Dornan Rás Mumhan said in a statement announcing the introduction of the new trophy to honour him.
"An avid and naturally gifted cyclist, he competed from youth all the way through to senior level, including time spent racing abroad. His enthusiasm, talent, and warm presence made him a familiar face to riders across the island.
"Tragically, Tomás lost his life in July 2025 while in Paris to witness the Tour de France, an event made even more poignant as his former racing rival, Ben Healy, had once again captured the cycling world’s attention by riding into the yellow jersey.
"Tomás’s passing had a profound impact on the Waterford community and on Irish cycling as a whole, this loss was felt profoundly within his beloved Comeragh CC, the club where his journey on the bike first began and where his memory will forever remain part of the fabric of the community.
"This year’s tribute at the Dornan Rás Mumhan honours a young man taken far too soon. The Tomás Walsh Memorial Cup, kindly donated by his family, will be presented this year by his mother, Bernie, ensuring that Tomás’s spirit remains at the heart of the event.
"For years to come, his name will echo from the podium so that the contribution he made through his talent, his character, and his love of the sport will never be forgotten."
