Rás Tailteann may have been off the road for a few years, with sponsorship issues and Covid-19 conspiring against it, but the race is now about to hold the third edition in its new format, with a €60,000 boost from the government and the support of several sponsors.
Returning this year to sponsor the yellow jersey is Meath-based Bective Stud, Apartments and Tea Rooms. Bective House owners, since 2016, Noel and Valerie Moran backed the county rider classification two years ago and moved up to yellow for last year's edition, a deal they continue this year.
The couple have worked over the last eight years to bring the Bective house and estate back to its former glory, also restoring the courtyard stables into modern accommodation with self-catering facilities alongside the Equestrian Centre and Bective Stud.
Advertisement
Currently the stables are home to thoroughbred racehorses - including ‘Better Days Ahead’ who was the winner of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the recent Cheltenham festival.
The future of Bective House is to restore the period house and build a five-star Hotel. This project will see the old building joined by a new extension. In addition, Bective Tea Rooms opened on the estate in April 2022, with the Rás set to finish at Bective Stud on the banks of the River Boyne on the final day of action next month.
“We are delighted that Rás Tailteann will be finishing at Bective and so pleased to be the main sponsor of the coveted yellow jersey," said Noel Moran. "We look forward to welcoming visitors for what will be a fantastic event and to enjoy the finish right opposite Bective Stud, on the Trim Road. We wish the very best of luck to everyone competing in the Rás.”
Related News
Ger Campbell, race director of Rás Tailteann, said the backing of the Morans was vital for the race.
“We are extremely thankful to Noel, Valerie and the entire team at Bective Stud Apartments and Tea Rooms, for their support of Rás Tailteann 2024," he said.
Kieran Kehoe, chief executive of Meath County Council, added he and his colleagues were excited to host the final stage of the race this year.
“The Boyne Valley is known for its stunning landscape, so it will be a fitting environment for the final stage of the Rás," he said. "We look forward to welcoming cyclists and spectators to towns and villages right across Meath on Sunday, 26th May, for what will be a fantastic event.”
Also backing the race this year is World Permits Ireland, who are the official sponsor of the rider numbers of the 2024 edition. Work Permits Ireland was established in 2018 to manage employment permit applications for a variety of industries and clients nationally and internationally.
Colm Hilliard, company director, said the firm was “proud to be associated with the Rás, as a good few people from east Meath were involved with this race, particularly the Nulty brothers from Cooperhill and many others".
Ger Campbell said: “Having Colm and Work Permits Ireland join the race as a commercial partner is very special."
