Castleisland’s Rás Tailteann summer stage end is postponed due to virus

Castleisland’s summertime losses are mounting this week with the announcement that the Rás Tailteann – for which a stage end and start were scheduled in the town on June 11th. and 12th. – have been postponed due to the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing Covid-19 virus.

“Following the recent developments and recommendations from Cycling Ireland, the UCI, the HSE, Sport Ireland and the Government of Ireland, Cáirde Rás Tailteann has decided to postpone the 2020 Rás Tailteann,” said race director, Eugene Moriarty.

The Listowel man, an accomplished cyclist in his own right, will have happy memories of Castleisland as he pulled off a hard earned third place podium finish into town in the 2001 FBD Milk Rás.

The Rás, which was due to return to the roads of Ireland in June 2020, has been cancelled directly as a result of accelerating developments relating to the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

“Considering the nature of the public health emergency Ireland and the world is currently dealing with and the progressive evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cáirde Rás Tailteann has decided that it is in the best interests of everyone associated with the event and the wider public to temporarily postpone the 2020 event from its planned start date on June 10th next” said Eugene Moriarty.

“The decision to postpone has not been taken lightly, but when we consider the on-going restrictions that are in place, the current workload of An Garda Síochána, County Councils and the Health Service, all of whom play integral roles in an event of this stature, we feel it is only appropriate that planning for the 2020 Rás does not add to the immediate burden faced by our critical front-line public servants,” said Mr. Moriarty.

The good news is, I suppose, that the event has not been cancelled and there’s a hope that things will improve. Who knows ?

Photo by John Reidy Flashback to 2001: Listowel cyclist Eugene Moriarty of the Meath Cycleways Team is congratulated by FBD Milk RÁS Queen, Monica O’Sullivan from Currow on his third place finish into Castleisland.