Over 100 amateur cyclists are preparing take on the 600km cycle in the hope of raising over €250,000 for Down Syndrome Ireland and individual beneficiaries and the event will pass through Clare on Friday.
Now in its 18th year, this year’s tour will be kicking off from City Hall in Cork City on Thursday, 9th August, and will return to Cork to see cyclists finish up the iconic and demanding St. Patrick’s Hill on Sunday, 12th August.
All funds raised from the charity cycle will go directly to the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) and to the individual beneficiaries involved. This year will mark the 9th successive year that DSI has been the main beneficiary of the cycle.
Travelling across all six counties in Munster, the amateur cyclists will make their way through a number of beautiful cities, towns and villages, where they hope they will be met and cheered on by the public who would like to support the cause. Joining them will be cycling legend Sean Kelly, who is a huge supporter of the event and has participated in the Tour de Munster for the past twelve years.
Since its inception in 2001, Tour de Munster has raised over €2.5 million for its beneficiaries with almost €2.1 million for DSI alone. Paul Sheridan, who established Tour de Munster, could not be prouder of the Tour and its many participants over the last 17 years.
Speaking ahead of the event Paul said, “I am extremely proud of this event and how it has grown year after year. We had a hugely successful cycle in 2017 and raised a phenomenal €294,637.65 so we hope this year can be just as successful and can’t wait to get on the bike. Everyone involved in this year’s tour has put in so much hard work and dedication, and without those partaking and supporting, the tour would not be possible. The tour is not an easy one and is a great test of endurance for amateur cyclists, so I have great respect for them all signing up and taking on the challenge for such a worthy cause.
Each year we receive great support from crowds of local people as we pass through each town and it really is the support like this that motivates us all to keep going. With all donations going to such worthy causes, we’re encouraging the people of Munster to dig deep, come out and support, and help raise much needed funds from August 9th to 12th.”
The Irish Examiner, Red FM, Clare FM, Tipp FM, and WLR FM are the Official Media Partners of Tour de Munster 2018.
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.
Tour de Munster 2018 Route:
Stage 1
Thursday, 9th 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, 10th 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, 11th August – Kerry
Tralee: 9.45am
Stradbally: 10.20am – 10.20am
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, 12th 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