Rás Na MBan returns to Kilkenny for 2024 race

A Céad Míle Fáilte and best wishes are extended to all the participants, visitors and organizers of an international sporting spectacle to be seen, as it passes through the locality on this Wednesday evening. On the tough opening stage of the five day event that includes the days two main climbs and the two steepest descents in the area, it sees the battle for the first Wicklow 200 Queen of the Mountains points being decided at Barnatrasna after the long climb out of Kilmoganny.

With riders from all over Europe, the USA, Oceania, Africa and Asia, as well as the best of Ireland's international and individual cyclists, the peloton will be in cycling royalty country as it breasts the line and the Hill within a couple of hundred yards of Séan Kelly's mother’s home-place.

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It then looks onto the scenic, historic and heritage laden Lingaun Valley with the most appropriately named Slievenamon (The Mountain of the Women) looming straight ahead, before it descends on the roads that are regularly traversed by numerous cycling clubs and another Carrick on Suir cycling superstar Sam Bennett.

With a possible race speed of up to 45Km per hour, the estimated earliest time of arrival from the Hoban Hotel start in Kilkenny is in Kilmoganny at 17.15, at the Queen of the Mountains in Barnatrasna at 17.20 and Windgap at 17.30.

The race then heads through Coolagh for Callan before completing a twenty six kilometre loop by the Newline, the Golf Club and back by Coolagh Church 18.10 for the 75Km stage end finish in Green Street between 18.20 and 18.50.