Birr hosts finish to opening stage of Rás Táilteann

Birr was the finishing point for the first stage of Ireland's most significant cycling race this afternoon (Wednesday).

The opening day of Rás Táilteann 2023, which began in Navan, wrapped up in the South Offaly town this afternoon, with Conor McGoldrick of UK team Trek Richardson claiming victory, ahead of Dan Gardener of Embark Spirit (UK), and Joseph Laverick of Derry's Foyle Cycling Club.

Birr will also be hosting the start of the second stage of the race tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

The County Arms Hotel is the race HQ today, and tomorrow's second stage to begin with a ceremonial start at the Cumberland column, Emmet Square, in Birr at 10.50am.

Some 170 cyclists are competing in the event this year, including a Midlands Race Team consisting of Athlone man Graham O'Brien (of Shannonside CC) Colin Clavin (Streamstown CC), David Casserly and Shane Quinn (both Longford CC) and Stuart Cox (Lakeside Wheelers CC, Mullingar).

Today's first stage, of 154.8 kilometres, passed through Meath, parts of Westmeath such as Milltownpass, Rochfortbridge and Kilbeggan, and then on to Killeigh, Mountmellick, Mountrath, Killanure and Kinnity, before finishing in Birr.

Tomorrow's stage of the race will be almost identical in length to today's (154.5km) and will conclude in Ennis.

The Rás continues each day until the fifth and final stage, from Monaghan to Blackrock, County Louth, on Sunday.