Stage is set for 50th Gorey Three Day Cycle
PREPARATIONS are underway for the 50th Gorey Three Day Cycle Race which rolls into town this Easter. Up to 200 cyclists will arrive on Easter Saturday afternoon, having cycled down from Blessington.
They will bring support teams with them, meaning around 500 people will be staying in and around the town on Saturday and Sunday night because of the event. This year, they have had to go as far as Bunclody to find available accommodation.
In recognition of the milestone year, Gorey Municipal District will host a civic reception in The Loch gCarman Arms Hotel in Gorey on the Saturday evening to congratulate all those involved in the race over the last half century. Especially remembered will be Sam and Betty Darcy who were stalwarts of the race for decades. The first race in 1967 was actually organised by Brendan Duncan, and one of the participants Sam Darcy was heavily involved from then on until his passing in 2012. His wife Betty was also instrumental until she passed away in 2005. The cyclists now compete for the Sam Darcy and the Betty Darcy memorial trophies.
In the past 50 years, the Gorey Three Day has become the largest event of its type on the Irish cycling calendar. It attracts cyclists from across Ireland, and abroad. Teams from the Isle of Man and Scotland will be in attendance this year.
Promising young cyclists to win the Gorey Three Day over the years included: Sean Kelly in 1973; Mark Scanlon in 1998; and Daniel Martin in 2004. The first winner in 1967 was prominent cyclist Peter Doyle of the Bray Wheelers.
This year’s race leaves Blessington at midday on Saturday, April 15, and travels through Baltinglass, Hackettstown, Tinahely, and Carnew, before turning left into Craanford. The cyclists then complete a loop taking in Camolin and The Monument in Gorey, finishing back in Craanford just past the community field at approximately 2.30 p.m.
Sunday’s event starts at The Monument in Gorey at 12 midday and involves five laps of the Gorey - Craanford - Camolin - Gorey circuit, finishing on the old N11 outside Gorey, just before the 50km/h sign, at approx. 3 p.m.
The cyclists have a ceremonial start at the Loch gCarman Arms on Bank Holiday Monday at midday, before heading up to the Carnew Road for the official start. The return route takes in Carnew, Shillelagh, Tullow, Rathvilly, Baltinglass, finishing 5km after Blessington at the quarry at around 2.15 p.m.
Motorists along the route are kindly asked for their co-operation, and local residents are encouraged to turn out and cheer them on, and to keep their dogs in.
Local clubs Gorey Cycling Club, Slipstream Cycling Club, and the South East Road Club are providing local support to the organisers, the Usher Irish Road Club. Thanks go to the gardaí for their support. Volunteers are needed for stewarding. Contact Derek Webb on 087 0617615 to help.