Ring of Beara Cycle Kenmare: a Christmas message

A BIG thank you and a Happy Christmas to all who helped with the Ring of Beara Cycle Kenmare in 2017.

This ever popular event brought cyclists from all over Ireland and as far afield as South Africa, America and Canada to the Beara Peninsula for Ireland’s most captivating cycle route.

Kenmare Marketing and Events Group (KMEG) created the concept for the event and it is run with a local committee with representatives from Kenmare, Glengarriff, Castletownbere and Allihies. They have also charged Killarney based event and management company, Elite Sports Management with the responsibility of coordinating the event.

The big question is how much is attracting 4,200 cyclists to Kenmare for a weekend of cycling worth to the local economy? The event delivers in the region of 8,500 bed nights in the area with most of the accommodation in the area booked months in advance.

The direct economic impact for the event is estimated to be €5 million and Oliver Kirwan from Elite Events said the direct economic impact from the event is huge but that the indirect economic impacts are also sizeable for the region.

The media exposure though our partnership with Today FM and the increased economic activity that trickles down reaches all business in the area. The event also has a social impact with an increase in the number of people getting out on their bikes and enjoying the whole experience.

“Some of the impacts of the event are hard to measure but the positive exposure that the Beara Peninsula receives due to the event is a very welcome long term benefit for the communities along the route,’ said Oliver.

Sean Hussey (right) helping customer Hugo Speytevroodt of The Pantry Health Food Store to purchase Tricot Marine Knitwear and shirt and Mustang jeans at Quill’s Kenmare.

Aileen Crean O’Brien, Bill Sheppard, Xenia O’Sullivan, Lynne Brennan, Helen McDwyer, Una Brennan, Lorraine Griffin and Mags O Mahony, Kenmare businesses looking forward to Christmas.