Kilrush clicks into gear for Rás on Monday

KILRUSH will temporarily be at the centre of Irish cycling on Monday when the An Post Rás visits the town. The stage will start off in Portumna before heading to West Clare from which the next stage to Castleisland in Kerry will begin.

Kilrush will host a series of events from Friday to Tuesday to mark the return to the town of Ireland’s foremost cycle race. The Rás weekend will provide four days of family-orientated cycling activities culminating in the arrival of the Rás.
The festival of cycling will be launched at the Vandeleur Walled Gardens on Friday and will be followed by a trail ride through Kilrush Wood. Saturday will be family day, starting with a family cycle to Millennium Park in Cappa village in the morning. In the afternoon, there will be a cycle treasure hunt in Kilrush Wood, followed by a fun mini duathlon at Kilrush Marina.
On Sunday, there will be a chance to experience the beautiful and varied scenery of the area on the Discover West Clare leisure cycle. In the afternoon, things get serious when the 77-year-old Crotty Cup will be the prize in the inaugural West Clare Cycling Club time trial, starting in Frances Street. The John Ryan Cup will be awarded to the winner of the junior time trial event. On Sunday evening, children’s races and activities will be held at the marina. Kilrush then becomes ‘cycle town’ on Monday in preparation for the arrival of the cyclists.
Mayor of Kilrush Liam Williams says the upcoming series of events would not only celebrate the town’s cycling heritage but also help attract visitors.
“Kilrush is steeped in cycling heritage. Founded by Miko Crotty back in the early 1930s, the West Clare Cycling Club has had many memorable moments. In 1998, Stage 4 of the then FBD Milk Rás finished in Frances Street. I would encourage the people of Kilrush and people from across Clare to take part in the many events taking place around the town in the days surrounding the Rás,” he said.
For more on the Kilrush Rás weekend visit www.kilrustowncouncil.ie or www.westclarecc.ie.