For the first time since 2003, Ireland's premier cycling event, Rás Tailteann, will feature a stage finish in Clifden. Stage 2 on Thursday, May 22nd, will start in Charlestown in Mayo before heading to Castlebar, Tourmakeady, Maam, and finally, Clifden. There will be several opportunities for Galway cycling enthusiasts to see the Rás live this year, as Stage 3 on May 23rd will start in Cong, going through Headford, Athenry, Craughwell and Kinvara en route to Milltown Malbay in Clare. On Saturday, May 24th, Stage 4 will start in Ennis and will go through Portumna as the riders head for the finish in Mountrath, Co Laois. The final stage is on Sunday, May 25th and will see the winner crowned at the finish in Bective, Co Meath. The 70th edition of the Rás Tailteann will will start in the cycling stronghold of Drogheda, Co Louth on Wednesday, May 21st heading westwards to finish in Boyle, Co Roscommon.
Stage 1: Drogheda, Co Louth to Boyle, Co Roscommon (Distance: 155.5 km) Wednesday, May 21st, 2025
Drogheda – Slane – Kilberry – Kells – Drumbaragh – Ballinlough – Oldcastle – Mountnugent – Kilnaleck – Ballinagh – Crossdoney – Arvagh – Carrigalen – Mohill – Carrick-on-Shannon – Boyle
Following a ceremonial start in Drogheda Town Centre, the race will be neutralised onto the N51 towards Slane, where the riders will pass the 0.0KM signs for the official start of Rás Tailteann 2025. The stage will pass through the rolling roads of North Meath and Leitrim before a fast finish into Boyle, Co Roscommon, which is the home county of our 2022 champion, Daire Feeley. With just one category 3 climb on route at ‘Sliabh na Cailligh’ just before Oldcastle, a large group of riders could still be together to battle it out in Boyle for the first stage win of 2025. As in previous editions, there will be three hot spot sprints along the way during stage one, which provide pivotal bonus seconds. They will be in Gibbstown Gaeltacht just after 20 km, Crossdoney just after 80 km, and Mohill just after 120 km.
Stage 2: Charlestown, Co Mayo to Clifden, Co Galway (Distance: 170.9 km) Thursday, May 22nd, 2025
Charlestown – Bohola – Castlebar – Ballyhean – Partry – Tuar Mhic Éadaigh – An Mám - Clifden
After stage one’s finish in Roscommon, the race will transfer to Charlestown in County Mayo to start what is shaping up to be an epic stage towards Clifden, County Galway. This will be the first stage end in Clifden since 2003. An extremely tough day awaits the riders with five categorised climbs along the route to Clifden. The early part of the stage will pass through Bohola and Foxford before taking on the ‘Windy Gap’ category one climb just after 50 km. After a fast descent, the race will pass through Castlebar and Partry before hitting three climbs within 12 km, including a category three in Tuar Mhic Éadaigh and 2 x category two climbs at Maumtrasna and Cill Dubh. A final category 3 climb awaits between An Mám and Maam Cross before the final 40 km through beautiful Connemara on wide open roads. This is sure to be a testing and telling day in the race for overall honours.
Stage 3: Cong, Co Mayo to Miltown Malbay, Co Clare (Distance: 163.8 km) Friday, May 23rd, 2025
Cong – Headford – Corofin – Kinvara – Bell Harbour – Ballyvaughan – Lisdoonvarna – Liscannor – Lahinch – Miltown Malbay
Stage 3 will set off from the famous Celtic Cross in the centre of the beautiful village of Cong, County Mayo en route to Milltown Malbay on the coast of Clare. The first 115 km of the stage will be on mostly flat and rolling roads passing through Headford, Athenry, Craughwell and Kinvara before tackling the first categorised climb of the day, the famous Corkscrew, after 120 km of racing. The final 40 kilometres are along the Wild Atlantic Way with further climbs at Doonagare Cross and the Cliffs of Moher. The final 23 km run into Miltown Malbay along the West Clare coastline promises to be exciting as the hustling for the yellow jersey continues. Another tough day in the saddle is guaranteed.
Stage 4: Ennis, County Clare to Mountrath, County Laois (Distance: 128.1 km) Saturday, May 24th, 2025
Ennis – Clooney – Bodyke – Tuamgraney – Scarriff – Mountshannon – Whitegate – Portumna – Riverstown – Kinnity - Mountrath
Stage four will depart Ennis on route to a first ever Stage finish in Mountrath, County Laois. The riders will make their way along the west side of the Shannon River and Lough Derg, facing 2 x category-three climbs. Once the race crosses the Shannon River in Portumna, it heads for Birr, which has produced several Rás Tailteann highlights in recent years. The final section of the stage is sure to create some fireworks when the category one Wolftrap Climb in the Sliabh Blooms Mountains is crested by the riders with just 14 km remaining to the finish in Mountrath. This climb could create a real last-ditch opportunity for the general classification riders to jostle in the race for the coveted yellow jersey.
Stage 5: Kildare Town, County Kildare to Bective, County Meath (Distance: 142.8KM) including four laps of finishing circuit Sunday, May 25th, 2025
Kildare Town – Milltown – Kilmeague – Allenwood – Derrinturn – Kilshanroe – Johnstown Bridge – Longwood – Dunsany – Bective
A mostly flat final stage awaits the riders on route to the ultimate finish in Bective. There is just one category three climb on the final day which is the Quarry Hill as the race leaves Dunsany. The riders will then enter the finishing circuit where it could well be a day for the sprinters. With a slightly changed circuit for 2025, four laps of the 12 km loop will bring the curtain down on Rás Tailteann 2025 which will see the new champion of the George Plant Trophy being crowned. The last hour of racing around the confines of Bective Stud promises to be a special spectacle for spectators and riders alike.
