Michael Rainey (CEO, Laois County Council), Angela McEvoy (Director of Services, Laois County Council), Seamus Kavanagh (Stage End Organiser), Keith Muldowney (Chair, Ossory Cycling Club), Padraig Fleming (Cathaoirleach, Laois County Council) and Elaine Moore (Tourism Officer, Laois County Council).

The 70th edition of Rás Tailteann, Ireland’s most historic and prestigious cycling race, continues its landmark journey with Stage 4 finishing in Mountrath, County Laois on Saturday, May 24, 2025. This will be the first time the Rás finishes in Mountrath, bringing the energy and excitement of world-class racing to the heart of the Laois community.

The stage begins in Ennis, Co. Clare at 11:45AM and features a challenging route including five categorised climbs, culminating with the Category 1 ascent of the Wolftrap in the Slieve Bloom Mountains — a key moment in this year’s race. The riders are expected to arrive at Mountrath at approximately 2:30PM, where a great crowd and warm welcome await.

Laois County Council Logo

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Rás Tailteann Returns To Miltown Malbay For First Stage Finish Since 1971;

Matthew Fox of Wheelbase / Cabtech / Castelli wins a stage of Rás Tailteann 2023 into Barefield, Co. Clare ahead of Patrick O’Loughlin of Team Ireland. (Picture Lorraine O'Sullivan)

Rás Tailteann Returns to Miltown Malbay for First Stage Finish Since 1971; Ennis to Host Stage 4 Start.

Cairde Rás Tailteann is delighted to confirm that Miltown Malbay will host the Stage 3 finish of the 2025 Rás Tailteann on Friday, May 23rd, marking the race’s first stage finish in the town since 1971. While the Rás passed through Miltown Malbay in 1972, it has not hosted a finish since that memorable day over five decades ago. On the following morning, Saturday, May 24th, Ennis will proudly welcome the race for the start of Stage 4, continuing an exciting weekend of elite cycling in County Clare. More>>>

Clifden to Honour Gene Mangan With Rás Stage

Gene Mangan Ras Winner 1955. Gene is the Youngest rider to win the race and the only rider to win four stages bank to back. He Won a total of 12 stages in his Rás career

Clifden to Host Stage Two Finish of 70th Edition of Rás Tailteann

Cairde Rás Tailteann is delighted to announce that Clifden, Co. Galway will host the Stage Two finish of the 70th edition of Rás Tailteann, Ireland’s most prestigious and historic stage cycling race, on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025.
Renowned for its stunning scenery, vibrant community, and strong ties to Irish sport, Clifden provides a spectacular setting as the Rás rolls into the heart of Connemara for what promises to be a thrilling finale to the second stage of the five-day race.
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Boyle To Host Thrilling Stage 1 Finish Of The 70th Rás Tailteann

Co-organisers of the stage finish in Boyle, Carmel Regan and Noel Feeley meet with local Gardaí in Boyle to launch the finish of stage one in Boyle. (Pic Boyletoday.com)

Boyle is set to welcome the exhilarating finish of Stage 1 of the 2025 Rás Tailteann on Wednesday, May 21st, as the world-famous cycling event rolls into town for what promises to be a spectacular afternoon of sport and celebration.
The opening stage of this year’s Rás Tailteann — the historic 70th edition — will see riders travel from Drogheda to Boyle, tackling over 150km of scenic Irish roads. The peloton is expected to arrive in Boyle between 2:30pm and 3:00pm, depending on racing speeds, with the finish line located outside An Craoibhín Bar, right in the heart of the town centre. More>>>

Drogheda To Host Start Of 70th Edition Of Rás Tailteann

(L-R) Cllr Michelle Hall, Ged Nash TD, Sarah Taaffe of Love Drogheda BIDS, Kevin Leech of Drogheda Wheelers, Cllr Declan Power, Mayor Paddy McQuillan, Cllr James Byrne, Race Director Ger Campbell, Senator Alison Comyn, Gearóid Campbell of Cairde Rás Tailteann, Cllr Debbie McCole, Cllr Anne-Marie Ford and Cllr Eric Donovan at the launch of Drogheda’s start of Rás Tailteann 2025. (Pic Colin Bell0

Drogheda to host start of 70th edition of Rás Tailteann Drogheda will proudly host the opening stage of the 70th edition of Rás Tailteann on Wednesday, May 21st – a major sporting moment for the town and a chance for locals to be part of Irish cycling history.
The event's base on the morning of the race will be St Nicholas’ GAA Club on Rathmullan Road, with the race build-up starting from 8:30AM. The public is warmly invited to come down, meet riders and teams, and soak in the pre-race buzz. The peloton will leave St Nick’s at 11:20AM, before the official ceremonial start on West Street at 11:30AM. From there, the riders will head out the Donore Road, turn right at Frank’s Country Cottage, then left along the canal and over the Obelisk Bridge. The racing proper begins on the main Slane Road, where the journey to the first finish line in Boyle begins.
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Final Visiting Team 13 For Ras Tailteann 2025

Primera – TeamJobs at a recent event launch.(Pic Team Jobs)

The 70th edition of the Rás Tailteann will take place from May 21st to May 25th, 2025.

The event will start in the cycling stronghold of Drogheda, Co Louth on Wednesday, May 21st heading westwards to finish in Boyle, Co Roscommon. A transfer to Charlestown for the start of stage two where the riders will take on the infamous Windy Gap and Maumtrasna climbs in the longest of the 2025 Rás Tailteann stages. Another transfer to Co Mayo for the start of stage three, where Cong will welcome the Rás Tailteann.
After setting off from Cong, the riders will take in breathtaking scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way before they face the fast finish towards Miltown Malbay in County Clare. The penultimate stage will kick off from Ennis, Co Clare and take on 2 x category three climbs before crossing the category one Wolftrap climb with less than 15KM remaining – will there be enough time to regroup before the finish in Mountrath, Co Laois? The final stage of Rás Tailteann 2025 will kick off in Kildare Town heading across the plains of ‘The Lilywhite County’ before entering Co Meath where again, the winner of Rás Tailteann will be crowned in Bective. The 2025 edition of the race is again five stages and will take on over 760KM along the roads of The Emerald Isle, including 13 categorised climbs.
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Bective Stud, Tea Rooms and Apartments - Yellow Jersey Sponsor and Race Finale Host

The official Yellow Jersey for Rás Tailteann 2025.

The 70th edition of the Rás Tailteann will take place from May 21st to May 25th, 2025.

The event will start in the cycling stronghold of Drogheda, Co Louth on Wednesday, May 21st heading westwards to finish in Boyle, Co Roscommon. A transfer to Charlestown for the start of stage two where the riders will take on the infamous Windy Gap and Maumtrasna climbs in the longest of the 2025 Rás Tailteann stages. Another transfer to Co Mayo for the start of stage three, where Cong will welcome the Rás Tailteann. After setting off from Cong, the riders will take in breathtaking scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way before they face the fast finish towards Miltown Malbay in County Clare. The penultimate stage will kick off from Ennis, Co Clare and take on 2 x category three climbs before crossing the category one Wolftrap climb with less than 15KM remaining – will there be enough time to regroup before the finish in Mountrath, Co Laois? The final stage of Rás Tailteann 2025 will kick off in Kildare Town heading across the plains of ‘The Lilywhite County’ before entering Co Meath where again, the winner of Rás Tailteann will be crowned in Bective. The 2025 edition of the race is again five stages and will take on over 760KM along the roads of The Emerald Isle, including 13 categorised climbs.

Daire Feeley and Ger Campbell join Noel and Valerie Moran in Bective Stud to launch Bective Stud’s sponsorship of the yellow jersey. ( Pic Lorraine O'Sullivan)

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Sport Ireland, Cycling Ireland And The Department Of Sport – County Jersey Sponsor

The official county jersey of Rás Tailteann 2025.

Cairde Rás Tailteann is delighted to announce the continued support of Sport Ireland, Cycling Ireland, and the Department of Sport for Rás Tailteann 2025. Funding from these key bodies has long played a vital role in the success of the event, and this year’s support is particularly significant as the race celebrates its 70th edition — a remarkable milestone in Irish sporting history More>>>

FBD Insurance To Sponsor Stage Winners Jersey

The official stage winner jersey for Rás Tailteann 2025.

Cairde Rás Tailteann is thrilled to announce that FBD Insurance will once again sponsor the stage winner jersey for Rás Tailteann 2025. FBD Insurance has a long-standing association with the Rás Tailteann, and this marks the fourth consecutive year of their sponsorship of the stage winner jersey.
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Canel’s Java – Mexico Return To Rás

Cormac McGeough (Canel’s Java) wins stage 3 of Rás Tailteann 2024 into Cahir. (Pic. Lorraine O;Sullivan)

Cairde Rás Tailteann is delighted to announce our tenth visiting team for the 2025 event: Canel’s Java from Mexico. After making a strong debut in 2024 with a stage win by Cormac McGeough, the team returns this year aiming to build on that success.
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