Rás Tailteann is set to go ahead this year, in its new five-stage format, having last been held as an eight-stage race back in 2018. There is also a new race director at the helm in the shape of Drogheda Wheeler Ger Campbell, who takes over from ex Irish international Eugene Moriarty.
However, while Kerryman Moriarty is stepping aside from the race director post he remains a key figure in the Cáirde Rás Tailteann group organising the race. The transfer of roles from Moriarty, who is based in the Netherlands, to Campbell is purely due to practical reasons.
Cáirde Rás Tailteann has issued a statement today re-affirming its commitment to running the race over five days in June. That announcement, though expected, will come as a huge relief to the Irish road racing community considering the race's importance and its absence in recent years.
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The race lost An Post as a title sponsor after the completion of the 2017 edition. While no sponsor could be found for the following year, the event still went ahead using cash reserves built up by prudent budgeting during the years Dermot Dignam and, later, Tony Campbell were in charge.
But when no sponsor could be found for 2019 the event was cancelled for the first time in its history. A new group then took temporary charge of organising the race, in the new shorter format and without UCI ranking. However, the pandemic halted their plans for both 2020 and last year.
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Now with the easing of restrictions, and a return to normality in Ireland, the race is firmly back on track for this summer. It will be held over the route previously announced for 2020:
- Stage 1, Wednesday June 15th: Dublin to Horse and Jockey (140.1km)
- Stage 2, Thursday June 16th: Horse and Jockey – Castleisland (154.8km)
- Stage 3, Friday June 17th: Castleisland to Lisdoonvarna (173.8km)
- Stage 4, Saturday June 18th: Lisdoonvarna to Kilbeggan (154.1km)
- Stage 5, Sunday June 19th: Kinnegad to Blackrock (135.3km)
As well as Campbell as race director and Moriarty remaining on, Cáirde Rás Tailteann is also compromised of a number of other experienced race organisers and officials, namely Seamus Domegan, Pat O’Shaughnessy, Colm Rigley and Ciarán McKenna.
The group will review the route and arrangements, such as accommodation, in the weeks ahead. That will ensure the plans set down two years ago for each stage are still possible and that no obstacles have emerged that might necessitate some changes.
“Over the coming weeks Cáirde Rás Tailteann aim to step up its efforts and begin to communicate more about the 2022 event as and when appropriate,” the organisers have said.
“Cáirde Rás Tailteann are also keen to point out that they continue to work very closely with Cycling Ireland to promote the event and thanked the national organisation for their continued commitment and assistance. Cáirde Rás Tailteann would like to thank everyone for their continued messages of support.”
