Rás Tailteann And Rás na mBan Funding Increased
Mia Griffin sprints to victory in stage 4 of Ras na mBan in Tramore.
Photo Credit: Lorraine O'Sullivan
Cycling Ireland is delighted to announce a significant increase in event funding for the 2024 Rás Tailteann and Rás na mBan races.
The funding will be provided by the Department of Sport and with support from Sport Ireland and both races will receive an equal share of funding for the first time.
Cycling Ireland would like to thank Minister Catherine Martin TD and Minister Thomas Byrne TD as well as the officials in the Department of Sport and Sport Ireland for their support – which ensures the events take place in 2024.
Cycling Ireland will be an event partner in both races for 2024 and look forward to supporting both event organisers in delivering Ireland’s premier stage races for both men and women to the highest standard.
The 2024 Rás Tailteann will take place from May 22nd to 26th while Rás na mBan is set to take place from September 4th to 8th.
Cycling Ireland Chief Executive Officer, James Quilligan, said:
“Cycling Ireland is delighted to announce an increase in funding for the 2024 Rás Tailteann and Rás na mBan from the Department of Sport and Sport Ireland. Both races are led by an incredible group of volunteers, and we look forward to working with both as event partners in 2024.
"The races are among the most important on the Irish calendar and showcase the very best of Irish cycling and have attracted many top international cyclists throughout their storied histories. We’d like to thank Minister Martin, Minister Byrne, the Department of Sport and Sport Ireland’s support of the races.”
Rás Tailteann Race Director, Ger Campbell, said:
"All of us at Cairde Rás Tailteann are thrilled with the announcement of the increase in funding. With the costs involved in promoting the event it's a huge boost for the race. It will allow us to plan our budget earlier this year and put in place important structures to make the event even better. The Rás is hugely important to Ireland’s sports calendar, and we look forward to the continued success for the event going forward. It’s a huge boost for the event."
Rás na mBan Race Director, Valerie Considine, said:
“I’d like to convey our sincere gratitude to Sport Ireland, Cycling Ireland and to Ministers Martin and Byrne for their continuing backing of our event through finance and other logistical supports without which the event would quite simply not take place.
"I would also like to express our deep satisfaction at the fact that, after 17 years, we have achieved equality in official funding from state agencies and the national governing body. Staging this event is a year-round project and our funding is derived from a variety of sources. It’s an ongoing challenge and our objective is to achieve a measure of stability so that we can be sure the event has a multi-year strategy.”