With the final countdown on to the 2019 Tour de Munster charity cycle, over 100 amateur cyclists are adding the finishing touches to their training preparation as they gear up to tackle the 600km route across the six counties of Munster from today until August 11th.
No easy feat, participants are motivated in their quest to raise vital funds and awareness for Down Syndrome Ireland Munster branches and individual beneficiaries. Celebrating its 19th year this August, the annual Tour de Munster charity cycle has raised a phenomenal €2.78 million for its beneficiaries since 2001.
2019 is a special year for the Tour de Munster as it celebrates its tenth year with Down Syndrome Ireland Munster branches as the main beneficiary of the tour. The charity cycle once again hopes to raise over €250,000 for the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland.
If cyclists need some expert advice and tips along the 600km tour, they will have the benefit of being joined by cycling legend Seán Kelly, a huge supporter of the event having participated in the Tour de Munster for the past thirteen years.
This year’s tour will be kicking off from City Hall in Cork City on Thursday, 8th August and will make its way through a number of beautiful towns and villages, where cyclists hope to be met and cheered on by the public who would like to support the cause. The tour will return to Cork on Sunday, 11th August and will see cyclists tackle the iconic and demanding St. Patrick’s Hill.
Looking forward to this year’s tour, Paul Sheridan founder of Tour de Munster said, “I have been training with many of the participants in the run up to this year’s tour and excitement is really building as we near closer to August 8th. Behind the scenes, a lot of hard work and dedication goes into preparing for a tour like this and the commitment from everyone has been amazing. Without cyclists dedicating their time to training and participating in the tour, none of this would be possible. It’s very easy to forget that these cyclists are amateurs and the tour is a big test of endurance for many cyclists. When we make our way through the villages and towns of Munster, we always receive such a great welcome and this is very motivating and really spurs us on. I hope everyone can come out and support the tour and help raise much needed funds from August 8th to 1th.”
The Irish Examiner, Red FM, Clare FM, Tipp FM, and WLR FM are the Official Media Partners of Tour de Munster 2019.
For route information and the latest information and news log onto www.tourdemunster.com, find it on Facebook, or follow the Tour on twitter @tourdemunster. For further information on Down Syndrome Ireland please see www.downsyndrome.ie.
2019 Tour de Munster Route:
Stage 1: Thursday, 8th August – Cork to Tipperary to Limerick to Clare
Cork (Silversprings Hotel): 8.00am – 8.45am
Cork (City Hall): 8.25am – 9.25am
Midleton (Quick Stop): 10.25am – 10.40am
Tallow: 11.40 – 11.40
Lismore (Refreshments: Park): 12.10pm – 12.30pm
Clogheen (Tipp DSI Pasta & Pastries: Clogheen Community Hall): 1.25pm – 2.00pm
Cahir: 2.30pm – 2.30pm:
Tipperary: 3.30pm – 3.30pm
Ballykisteen (Lunch): 3.40pm – 4.30pm
Limerick (DSI Centre, Castletroy): 5.20pm – 5.50pm
Birdhill: 6.50pm – 6.50pm
Killaloe (Lakeside Hotel): 7.05pm
Stage 2: Friday, 9th August – Clare to Kerry
Killaloe: 9.00am
Tuamgraney: 9.45am – 9.45am
Ennis (tea/coffee: Temple Gate Hotel): 11.30am – 12.00pm
Kildysart: 1.00pm – 1.00pm
Killimer (Ferry): 2.00pm – 2.00pm
Tarbert: 2.20pm – 2.20pm
Listowel (tea/coffee & scone: Christy’s pub): 3.10pm – 3.40pm
Tralee (Manor West Retail Park): 4.40pm
Stage 3: Saturday, 10th August – Kerry
Tralee: 9.45am
Dingle (Lunch: Skellig Hotel): 12.00pm – 1.00pm
Castlemaine (refreshments: MACE, N70/R561 junction): 2.30pm – 2.50pm
Milltown: 3.00pm -3.00pm
Aghadoe Heights: 3.45pm – 3.55pm
Killarney (Break: Deenagh lodge): 4.00pm – 4.30pm
Kenmare (Dinner: Lansdowne Arms Hotel): 5.45pm
Stage 4: Sunday, 11th August – Kerry to Cork
Kenmare: 10.00am
Glengariff (tea/coffee & scone: The Maple Leaf Bar): 11.00am – 11.30am
Ballylickey: 12.00pm – 12.00pm
Gougane Barra (Lunch): 1.00pm – 1.45pm
Inchigeela: 2.20pm – 2.35pm
Macroom: 3.15pm -3.15pm
Lissarda (Break): 3.35pm – 3.50pm
Cork -St. Patrick’s Hill and finishing at the Clayton Silver Springs Hotel, Cork: 5.15pm