IT looks as if hundreds of adventure race competitors have enjoyed the unique experience of running across the water on the longest temporary pontoon bridge ever built in Ireland last Saturday for the last time. Conceived and built for the first Quest Lough Derg in 2019, Elite Event Management came up with the idea when faced with the logistical challenge of moving participants safely across the water from Killaloe to Ballina. While Elite Management is planning to host Quest Lough Derg again next year in Ballina and Killaloe, organisers are hoping the temporary pontoon may no longer be necessary once the new River Shannon Crossing is operational, which is expected to be open before September 2025. In a joint partnership between Elite Event Management, Waterways Ireland, Tipperary and Clare County Councils, it is Ireland’s biggest temporary pontoon over the Shannon at 170 metres, and was the fourth time a new bridge had been built in Killaloe in 300 years. In …
Read More »GALLERY: Lough Derg area makes big impression on Quest athletes
MORE than 1,300 competitors flocked to the shores of Lough Derg on Saturday to participate in the return to east Clare of a major adventure race. Last weekend saw the second staging of Quest Lough Derg, an arduous challenge for athletes in Killaloe and Ballina following the inaugural event in 2019. Fine weather, with temperatures reaching 22 degrees, allowed athletes and supporters to maximise Quest Lough Derg and its stunning location, sold-out since August. The race makes itself accessible to athletes on all levels, from beginners to experienced racers, with its three routes: the 22km ‘Challenge’, the 45km ‘Sport’ and the 69km ‘Expert’, starting and finishing at various points in Killaloe and Ballina. Competitors were able to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Tountinna, Garrykennedy, Ballycuggaran and Moylussa. After the event, competitors were treated to hot food, music and a festival-like atmosphere at the finish line. The winners of the Expert Route were Shaun Stewart and Laura O’Driscoll. The Sport Route …
Read More »Road closures in Killaloe and Ballina for Quest Lough Derg race
On Saturday next, September 10 Quest Lough Derg takes place in Killaloe/Ballina. The event is made up of seven waves over three routes starting from 8am to 12.15pm from Flanagan’s and finishing in the same location. A garda spokesperson said, “A traffic management plan in conjunction with the organisers and An Garda Siochana will be in place and we ask people to be patient.” The following road closures will be in place: Tipperary County Council road closures Lakeside Drive is closed starting at the Killaloe Bridge Junction and finishing at the Lakeside Hotel. Including all public car parking spaces on Lakeside Drive Closing Times: From 6.00 a.m. to 6pm on Saturday, September 10 Notes: Local residential access only to Lakeside Drive from the R494 road. Graves of Leinster Men Road is closed starting at the R494 / L-6036-0 junction including road numbers: L2130-26, L2136-0 AND L2136-10 to the junction of the L-6037-0 / L2136-21. Including all public car parking …
Read More »Adventure race returns to Lough Derg with giant pontoon
LOUGH Derg is set to welcome the return of one of Ireland’s largest and most exacting participation events next month Quest Lough Derg adventure race makes a welcome return to the shores of the Shannon on September 10 and with comes the reconstruction of Ireland’s longest pontoon across the river. Over 1,300 athletes will run, cycle and kayak around one of Ireland’s most beautiful inland waterways and over Ireland’s longest pontoon bridge. Quest Lough Derg is a one-day adventure race open to all levels of fitness and experience, offering three routes of different lengths: 22km Challenge, 45km Sport and 69km Expert. Participants from around the country cycle and run along country trails, and kayak across Lough Derg for one of the best scenic tours of the area, starting and finishing at Flanagan’s on the Lake in Ballina. In preparation for the first Quest Lough in 2019, event organisers Elite Event Management came up with the idea to build the bridge …
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