Issue 164: 15th May, 2026
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Cycling Fever Is Coming To Duhallow Rás Tailteann Stage 2 To Finish in Banteer
On Thursday 21st May, Stage 2 of this year’s Rás Tailteann will finish in Banteer. This is a great honour for Banteer considering its deep affiliation and history with the race itself. The Rás is an international cycle race that has been held in Ireland since 1953. It attracts the top Irish amateur riders and offers them to chance to compete against top riders from overseas. The race is run over 5 days and this year will cover 785kms. Stage 2 promises to be a gruelling stage with the riders covering 182.9kms on the day. The stage starts in Rathmore before heading to Kenmare, Caha Pass, Glengarriff, Gougane Gap before finishing in Banteer. Over the years Banteer men have
occupied the Top 4 positions overall in the Rás: Dillon Corkery 1st 2023 Paidi O’Brien 2nd 2007, Mick Cahill 3rd 1973 Eddie Dunbar 4th 2016. Cycling has a long tradition in Banteer dating back to 1964, when a group of local men including Mick Cahill, Mick Duggan, John O’Sullivan, and Dermot McCarthy came together to form Banteer Cycling Club. The club had great success over the years but 1973 stands out when Mick Cahill came 1st in Rás Mumhan, 1st in the 100 Mile Road Championships and came 3rd in the Rás.Throughout the 1970s, local cyclists Denis O’Connell and Con Moylan also took part in the Rás.
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