This is where Irish club cycling and Irish road racing all began. The club was founded a year after the first official bike race anywhere in the world. And racing began in Ireland immediately. Above, the members of Dungarvan Ramblers Cycling Club; Ireland's first and oldest club, founded by post master Richard Edward Brennan.
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Exactly 150 years since its inception, Dungarvan Cycling Club is celebrating this weekend with the Dungarvan Open Road Races for the O'Doherty Cup.
The club’s history is a fascinating one. Not only is it the oldest existing club in the country, it was also the first established in Ireland.
It staged the first bike race here, back in the 1869. And its founding member - postmaster Richard Edward Brennan - won that event.
Its open races this coming Sunday, on a challenging 35.5km circuit that features the 2km climb of Colligan Hill, will mark Brennan’s achievements and celebrate the Déise club’s heritage.
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The bikes, training methods and tactics are very different now compared to Richard Edward Brennan’s day. But the goal is the same; cycling and competing for the love of it.
The club, whose name has changed a little down the years, explains how it has been operating as long as organised bike races anywhere in the world.
“In 1868 the first ever cycling race took place in Paris,” club member Jason Travers told stickybottle.
“Less than a year later, in 1869, Ireland's first cycling club, Dungarvan Ramblers Cycling Club (DRCC), was formed.
“Richard Edward Brennan was based in the town’s Grattan Square. And he also happened to win the first ever bicycle race in Ireland - a four-mile bicycle race for The Challenge Cup,” added Travers.
The club’s first open races were held exactly 40 years ago; the first main event won by Patsy Crowley from Bobby Power and Donal Crowley.
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Dungarvan CC on the front of the group: The club celebrates 150 years since its foundation with racing this coming Sunday for the O'Doherty Cup (Photo: Jimmy McElroy)
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Dungarvan Cycling Club has had a new kit designed, by cycling apparel company VeloRevolution, to celebrate its anniversary year. The new kit incorporates the club’s logo when it was founded.
As well as having a long history in the sport, the Dungarvan club has enjoyed many successes with current and past members.
Its past president, the late Rory Wyley Snr, rode the first Rásanna. Two former members - Stephen Spratt and Robert Power - won Ràs stages and the overall titles in their pomp.
Both are among the best riders the country has ever produced; Power also winning the Irish elite road race crown back in 1993.
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The club's new-look jersey, with its original logo of the shamrock at the neck; a nice nod to the past in its 150th anniversary year.
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In the last five years the young guns – and some of the older hands - have come shining through; winning seven national titles.
They have been won thanks to the exploits of Aoibhe Power, Mark McGarry, John Hodge, Eoghan Lattimore and David Gaffney – Hodge and McGarry both winning two Irish crowns.
The club’s races this Sunday are name in honour of club Stalwart Noel O’Doherty.
The 35.5km circuit featuring the 2km ascent of Colligan Hill should prove a test before the fast finish in Modeligo village.
Past winners of the event include Brian Kenneally, Paidi O Brien, Sean McKenna, Robbie McCarthy, Sean Hahessy and in 2016 local man Stephen Murray.
Sign on this weekend is at Modeligo Community Hall – Eirecode X35KF22. The A1-A2 race is 142km, A3-Junior race 107km and the A4 event 71km.
There are also races for U16s (35.5km), U14 (24.3km) and U12 (8km). The underage racing starts at 10am and the senior events commence at 12 midday.
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