For the 45th consecutive year Mr Cycling, Sam D’Arcy, will bring Irelands biggest Cycle Race, the An Post Gorey 3 Day, to North Wexford. What began from humble beginnings, in 1967, has gone on to be one of the premier cycle races in the country. In fact only the Ras Tailteann is older, but the Ras is a smaller race. The excitement, the flash of colour, the chance to see top class cycling close up is something the people of the Gorey area have enjoyed every Easter for, as referred to above, 45 years. Sam, who has been involved in cycling all his life, didn’t just organise this fantastic race and sit on his laurels. Instead he has worked tirelessly, as a cyclist himself, as a coach and as an official to promote and encourage cycling as a sport and a pastime in the country.
Sam started with the Irish Road Club, in Dublin, and he continues to be involved with that club to this day. He carried on his work in the North Wexford/ South Wicklow area when he moved to live in Gorey in 2000 – he was always a regular visitor to the town as his late Mother Margaret and Wife Betty both grew up there. When he came to the town Cycling was at a low ebb with hardly anybody actively enjoying the pastime and only a few hardy souls competing in races. He, along with people such as Michael Considine, was one of the founding members of the South East Road Club, which services the whole region, and he didn’t stop there as he then helped to start Gorey’s own Slipstream Club. Both these clubs continue to go from strength to strength and they will compete in the 3-Day Race.
The Organising Committee of the An Post Gorey 3-Day Cycle Race, with Sam as Race Director, invite everybody, young and old, to come out over the Easter weekend and enjoy the colour, spectacle, speed, bike handling and non-stop thrills of top class Road Cycle Racing. As this is the 45th running of the event we will endeavour to make the race as enjoyable as we can for everyone. The Committee is deeply appreciative of the sponsorship of An Post, James Tomkins, Suzuki Dealership, Gorey, Wexford County Council, Gorey Town Council the Local Traders and very grateful for the help and co-operation it receives from The Gardai, The Red Cross, The Local Helpers and The People of Gorey without whose good will the event could not happen.
Please note the race route every day and try to avoid it if possible. If you intend making a journey, which crosses the race route over the Easter weekend, expect delays. Also, would the owners of animals be mindful not to let them stray out, as they are a great source of danger.
Stages
Stage 1
The race commences on Easter Sat. with Sign On, from 9.15a.m. in St. Kevin’s Community Hall in Blessington. The Race then Starts outside St. Kevin’s Hall, at 12 Noon. It proceeds on through Baltinglass, Hacketstown, Tinahely, Carnew, Camolin and finishes on the Ballycanew Rd. in Gorey, at the Amber Springs Hotel.
Stage 2
On Easter Sun. Morning there is a 6.4 Km individual Time Trial which commences at, 9a.m., 6.4 Km out on the Enniscorthy Rd. and finishes at the 50K Speed Limit Sign just outside the town.
Stage 3
On Easter Sun. Afternoon there is a massed start race, which begins, at 2.30p.m. at the Monument and is raced over 4 laps of the Craanford, Camolin, Gorey Circuit, finishing again on the Enniscorthy Road at the 50K Speed Limit Sign.
Stage 4
The final stage starts on Gorey’s Main Street on Easter Mon. at 12 Noon. It travels through Carnew, Shillelagh, Tullow, Rathvilly, Baltinglass and finishes 5 Kilometres on the Dublin side of Blessington.
The Prize Presentation Ceremony follows the final Stage on Easter Mon. in St. Marks G.A.A. Club Tallaght.
Jim Walker