Cyclists from all over Ireland and abroad visited Carrick-on-Suir for L'Etape Ireland cycle

Caption for picture above: Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne with O’K Cycles cyclists Brian Power, Darren Walsh and Shane O’Keeffe with Shane’s daughter Megan, aged 7, outside O’K Cycles in Carrick-on-Suir on Sunday morning just before they took part in the L’Etape Ireland cycle. Photographer Michael Boland

Carrick-on-Suir reaffirmed its reputation as Ireland’s home of cycling on Sunday with 1,300 cyclists gathering in the town for the Tour de France style L’Etape Ireland cycle that started and finished in the town.

The event attracted leisure and competitive cyclists from all over Ireland and as far as France and the UK and comprised 150km and 100km routes traversing south Tipperary, north and west Waterford.

Seventeen year-old former Panduit Carrick Wheelers CC member Hugh Óg Mulhearne, who is currently racing with French team Villemus Cyclisme, won the 150km men’s race.

The up and coming cycling star from Kilmacthomas completed the route in 3:56:46, 16 minutes ahead of his nearest rival. Overall winner of the 100km race was John Dowley of Panduit Carrick Wheelers who completed the course in 2:50:06.

Paralympic gold medallist Katie George Dunleavy won the women’s 150km race by a wide margin, crossing the finish line in 4:31.46. She and Mulhearne won the King and Queen of the Mountains competitions. Niamh O’Dwyer won the women’s 100km race in 3:07:31.

A section of the massive group of 1,300 cyclists starting the L'Etape Ireland cycle at William Street in Carrick-on-Suir on Sunday morning. Picture Michael Boland

Oliver Kirwan of Elite Events Management, which organised the event, said the event was a great success and brought a huge economic boost to Carrick-on-Suir and its hinterland with local guest accommodation booked up and Carrick’s café’s, restaurants and pubs busy with visitors.

He paid tribute to Tipperary and Waterford County Councils and the people of Carrick-on-Suir for their massive support of the vent.

“What really struck me was how the whole town of Carrick-on-Suir really got behind it with all the shops decorating their windows and the market and other events around Ormond Castle on the Saturday. There was a great buzz around the town.”

Carrick-on-Suir Triathlon Club members Patrick Harris, David Flaherty, Eoghan Coughlan, Balash Saxena and John O’Keeffe on New Street in Carrick before embarking on the L’Etape Ireland cycling event on Sunday. Picture Michael Boland. 

Willie Morgan (left) was one of a number of Tipperary County Council staff members who took part in the cycle. He is pictured with South Tipp Cycle Club member Cian Halley from Ardfinnan at the L’Etape event village at the Library Car Park at Greenside in Carrick-on-Suir before the start of the cycle. Picture Michael Boland

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