Boyle will host the finish of Stage 1 of the the 70th edition of An Ras Tailteann International Cycle Race on this Wednesday afternoon May 21st.
Following the ceremonial start in Drogheda, the 150 riders, team cars and race cavalcade will travel the 155.5km to Boyle with the finish on the Crescent between 2.45 and 4pm – depending on wind and speed.
Stage end crews will be in Boyle from early Wednesday morning erecting the podium and crowd control barriers.
Parking restrictions will be in place on Military Road, Bridge Street and the Crescent area from 10am with traffic restrictions from 3pm and a rolling road closure through the town as the race approaches and just after the stage finish.
Free parking is also available in the Abbey Park GAA gounds eircode F52 XW08.
As a result of the road closures, here will be restrictions to the 15.30 and 16.00 Local Link Bus that serves Boyle. Passengers are asked to please use the alternative stop on the Sligo Road opposite Boyle Abbey for thee services.
The race will enter the town from the N4 turning in at Tawnytaskin junction, via the old Sligo road, turning right at the Shilling Hill and left at Boles’ Corner to the finish on the Crescent in what could be a very fast bunch sprint.
As the riders turn right at the Shilling Hill, team cars will head straight on to St. Joseph’s Church car park where competitors will go to after the stage finish.
Spectators can view the race from the footpaths along the route, but please do not walk on to the roadway when the race enters Boyle.
The last time Boyle hosted a Ras stage finish was in 1994, so it would be great if as many people as possible came out to give a big Boyle welcome to the participants and their entourage.
Route Details
Stage 1: Drogheda, Co Louth to Boyle, Co Roscommon
(Distance: 155.5KM)
Wednesday, May 21st, 2025
Drogheda – Slane – Kilberry – Kells – Drumbaragh – Ballinlough – Oldcastle – Mountnugent – Kilnaleck – Ballinagh – Crossdoney – Arvagh – Carrigalen – Mohill – Carrick-on-Shannon – Boyle.
Following a ceremonial start in Drogheda Town Centre, the race will be neutralised onto the N51 towards Slane where the riders will pass the 0.0KM signs for the official start of Rás Tailteann 2025. The stage will pass through the rolling roads of North Meath and Leitrim before a fast finish into Boyle, Co Roscommon which is the home county of our 2022 champion, Daire Feeley.
With just one category 3 climb on route at ‘Sliabh na Cailligh’ just before Oldcastle, a large group of riders could very well still be together to battle it out in Boyle for the first stage win of 2025.
As per previous editions, there will be three hot spot sprints along the way during stage one which provide pivotal bonus seconds. They will be in Gibbstown Gaeltacht just after 20KM, Crossdoney just after 80KM and Mohill just after 120KM.
Stage 2: Charlestown, Co Mayo to Clifden, Co Galway
(Distance: 170.9KM)
Thursday, May 22nd, 2025
Charlestown – Bohola – Castlebar – Ballyhean – Partry – Tuar Mhic Éadaigh – An Mám – Clifden
After stage one’s finish in county Roscommon, the race will transfer to Charlestown in County Mayo to start what is shaping up to be an epic stage towards Clifden, County Galway. This will be the first stage end in Clifden since 2003.
An extremely tough day awaits the riders with 5 categorised climbs along the route to Clifden. The early part of the stage will pass through Bohola and Foxford before taking on the ‘Windy Gap’ category one climb just after 50KM.
After a fast descent the race will pass through Castlebar and Partry before hitting three climbs within 12KM, including a category three in Tuar Mhic Éadaigh and 2 x category two climbs at Maumtrasna and Cill Dubh.
A final category 3 climb awaits between An Mám and Maam Cross before the final 40KM through beautiful Connemara on wide open roads.
This is sure to be a testing and telling day in the race for overall honours.
Stage 3: Cong, Co Mayo to Miltown Malbay, Co Clare
(Distance: 163.8KM)
Friday, May 23rd, 2025
Cong – Headford – Corofin – Kinvara – Bell Harbour – Ballyvaughan – Lisdoonvarna – Liscannor – Lahinch – Miltown Malbay
Stage 3 will set off from the famous Celtic Cross in the centre of the beautiful village of Cong, County Mayo on route to Milltown Malbay on the coast of Clare.
The first 115KM of the stage will be on mostly flat and rolling roads passing through Headford, Athenry, Craughwell and Kinvara before tackling the first categorised climb of the day which is the famous Corkscrew after 120KM of racing.
The final 40 kilometres are along the Wild Atlantic Way with further climbs at Doonagare Cross and the Cliffs of Moher.
The final 23KM run into Miltown Malbay along the West Clare coastline promises to be exciting as the hustling for the yellow jersey continues.
Another tough day in the saddle is guaranteed.
Stage 4: Ennis, County Clare to Mountrath, County Laois
(Distance: 128.1KM)
Saturday, May 24th, 2025
Ennis – Clooney – Bodyke – Tuamgraney – Scarriff – Mountshannon – Whitegate – Portumna – Riverstown – Kinnity – Mountrath
Stage four will depart Ennis on route to a first ever Stage finish in Mountrath, County Laois.
The riders will make their way along the west side of The Shannon River and Lough Derg facing 2 x category three climbs. Once the race crosses The Shannon River in Portumna, it is heading for Birr which has produced several Rás Tailteann highlights in recent years.
The final section of the stage is sure to create some fireworks when the category one Wolftrap Climb in the Sliabh Blooms Mountains is crested by the riders with just 14KM remaining to the finish in Mountrath. This climb could create a real last-ditch opportunity for the general classifications riders to jostle in the race for the coveted yellow jersey.
Stage 5: Kildare Town, County Kildare to Bective, County Meath
(Distance: 142.8KM)
Sunday, May 25th, 2025
(Distance: 142.8KM including four laps of finishing circuit)
Kildare Town – Milltown – Kilmeague – Allenwood – Derrinturn – Kilshanroe – Johnstown Bridge – Longwood – Dunsany – Bective
A mostly flat final stage awaits the riders on route to the ultimate finish in Bective.
There is just one category three climb on the final day which is the Quarry Hill as the race leaves Dunsany. The riders will then enter the finishing circuit where it could well be a day for the sprinters. With a slightly changed circuit for 2025, four laps of the 12KM loop will bring the curtain down on Rás Tailteann 2025 while will see the new champion of the George Plant Trophy being crowned.
The last hour of racing around the confines of Bective Stud promises to be a special spectacle for spectators and riders alike.
(Boyletoday.com photograph shows Robert Power, Team Ireland wining Stage 2 into Boyle in 1994).
