Sport Ireland,Cycling Ireland And Department Of Sport Sponsorship

Una May CEO Sports Ireland Presents Con McDunphy (Leinster Team) with blue county rider jersey 2023

Cairde Rás Tailteann is delighted to announce the continued support of Sport Ireland, Cycling Ireland, and The Department of Sport towards Rás Tailteann 2024.

For many years, funding from all three bodies has been the lifeline for allowing Rás Tailteann to take place. 2024 brings higher funding from the bodies, and Cairde Rás Tailteann is “Incredibly thankful for the support”, says Race Director Ger Campbell. Campbell added that he was “Delighted to see Rás na mBan’s funding matched with Rás Tailteann for the first time ever. Both Catherine Martin TD and Thomas Byrne TD deserve massive gratitude for their work in ensuring that both events can proceed in 2024”.

Speaking on the support of both Rás Tailteann and Rás na mBan, Cycling Ireland CEO, James Quilligan said “Cycling Ireland is delighted to announce an increase in funding for the 2024 Rás Tailteann and Rás na mBan from the Department of Sport and Sport Ireland. Both races are led by an incredible group of volunteers, and we look forward to working with both as event partners in 2024. The races are among the most important on the Irish calendar and showcase the very best of Irish cycling and have attracted many top international cyclists throughout their storied histories. We’d like to thank Minister Martin, Minster Byrne, The Department of Sport and Sport Ireland’s support of the races”.

Adding to Mr Quilligan’s remarks, Rás Tailteann Race Director, Ger Campbell said “All of us at Cairde Rás Tailteann are thrilled with the announcement of the increase in funding. With the costs involved in promoting the event, it’s a huge boost for the race. It will allow us to plan our budget earlier this year and put in place important structures to make the event even better. ‘The Rás’ is hugely important to Ireland’s sports calendar, and we look forward to the continued success of the event going forward”.

As a token of the race’s huge appreciation for the funding, the blue county rider jersey will again feature the Sport Ireland logo, while all jerseys will feature the Cycling Ireland logo. It is a great source of pride for Cairde Rás Tailteann to showcase their national governing bodies' logos at an international event.

Cycling Ieland CEO James Quilligan presents Tobias Dahihaus Foran CC with the KOH Jersey

Visiting Team 7 – Moonglu Race Team – UK

Cairde Rás Tailteann is delighted to announce our seventh visiting team for the 2024 event: Moonglu Race Team, who will make their debut in the event in 2024.

Moonglu Race Team is comprised of six riders based across the North of England, predominantly in Yorkshire. According to team manager, John Reeve, “Our longevity is as important as our growth - we want to build a platform that enables bike riders to realise their potential, affording younger riders the opportunities they deserve - helping them navigate the complex world of racing”. The team is unique in that the riders all contributed to the development and success of the team across logistics, social media, kit design and general development.

Speaking on their plans for the event, John Reeve said “We are targeting a variety of national events this year, trying to use our willingness to work as a team to our advantage - hopefully gaining results and hitting goals as a group, as well as on an individual level - all while enjoying the process. We're excited to get out there, have some fun in the races together and see how we stack up against the big boys.”

The team has started the season strongly, with Will Taylor on particularly good form, winning and podiuming at a national level in the UK. The team also adopts a unique approach within sport, prioritising environmentally friendly practices and mitigating the team's overall emissions. ‘The Rás’ will be the team's first Irish race, although members of the team have raced in Rás Mumhan and Tour of the North in the past.

Speaking about their debut in the event, Race Director Ger Campbell said, “We are delighted to welcome Team Moonglu to the 2024 event. The team follows a unique model, with rider and planet well-being as important as results. Cairde Rás Tailteann is similarly trying to be environmentally conscious and keep our footprint as low as possible, so Team Moonglu seemed like a perfect fit for the event. We cannot wait to see what the group can bring to the event!”

Moonglu Race Team

Visiting Team 8 – Team 05-03 – United Kingdom

Cairde Rás Tailteann is delighted to announce our eighth visiting team of the 2024 event: Team 05-03, who will make their debut in the race in the 2024 edition.

05-03 is the feeder team to the most successful UCI Continental British team of last year, Saint Piran. Founded in 2022 with the aim of bridging the gap between club-level teams and the Continental level, 05-03 is trying to connect riders from across the UK who have a passion for racing one discipline or another. This is 05-03’s and all the rider's first time entering the Rás Tailteann.

Speaking on their debut, Team Manager Oli Masters said, “We are bringing with us a very excited bunch of riders as well as some experienced racers within our Under-23 riders. This all supports a good mix of learning from one another. All riders are currently working hard, and the coaches are supporting this event as one of the main objectives for the year. This will all be supported by a team of volunteers who are just as passionate about the sport. We are incredibly thankful for the opportunity to showcase ourselves at this level in Ireland.”

Rás Tailteann Race Director, Ger Campbell welcomed Team 05-03 to the event by saying “The interest from our friends in the United Kingdom has been amazing and we are looking forward to welcoming Team 05-03 to the event. Saint Piran is one of the best known UCI Continental Team’s in Europe and we cannot wait to see what the next bunch of feeder team talent can bring to the Irish roads!”.

Cairde Rás Tailteann is delighted to announce our eighth visiting team of the 2024 event: Team 05-03, who will make their debut in the race in the 2024 edition. 05-03 is the feeder team to the most successful UCI Continental British team of last year, Saint Piran. Founded in 2022 with the aim of bridging the gap between club-level teams and the Continental level, 05-03 is trying to connect riders from across the UK who have a passion for racing one discipline or another. This is 05-03’s and all the rider's first time entering the Rás Tailteann.

Speaking on their debut, Team Manager Oli Masters said, “We are bringing with us a very excited bunch of riders as well as some experienced racers within our Under-23 riders. This all supports a good mix of learning from one another. All riders are currently working hard, and the coaches are supporting this event as one of the main objectives for the year. This will all be supported by a team of volunteers who are just as passionate about the sport. We are incredibly thankful for the opportunity to showcase ourselves at this level in Ireland.”

Rás Tailteann Race Director, Ger Campbell welcomed Team 05-03 to the event by saying “The interest from our friends in the United Kingdom has been amazing and we are looking forward to welcoming Team 05-03 to the event. Saint Piran is one of the best known UCI Continental Team’s in Europe and we cannot wait to see what the next bunch of feeder team talent can bring to the Irish roads!”.

Team 05-03 United Kingdom