Skerries scoops Rás finale

SKERRIES has yet again scooped the Grand Festival Finale of the 68th Rás Tailteann for its exciting climax on Sunday, May 27. 

This famous round Ireland cycle race is now a huge annual draw for Skerries with visitors from all over the country flocking to see the big wheels roll in for the final stage. 

Professional cycling teams from all over the world will be delighted to see the landmark of Skerries Mills on the horizon to signal the end of Ireland’s toughest cycle race: a gruelling 1200k. 

This year’s festival theme is Cycling Fun for all the family. There will be a massive street party and Skerries’ very own Rás Na Og, a kids’ cycle race for the little champions in the making!  

This is a fantastic opportunity for children under the age of six to participate in a short cycle (or scooter or tricycle) down Strand Street across the Rás finishing line at 12.30am. 

Members of popular Skerries Cycling Club, the Rockabill Roadies, and Dermot Higgins, the local man who recently completed an amazing ‘around the world’ cycle for charity attended the launch in the town.

The Skerries Rás Festival Finale schedule is:  

•12.30– 4.30pm – Skerries Festival Finale Street party 

•1pm – The Rás na Og kicks off the action from the monument, together with the annual Skerries festival finale party. There will be musical and street entertainers, games, face-painting, crafts and cake stalls organised by dozens of schools and community groups. There will also be Farmer’s Market stalls with homemade goodies and crafts. 

•At 2pm – You are invited to join the crowds on Strand Street to share the thrills and excitement and as the cyclists race through the town twice to the finish line battling it out for the yellow jersey. 

• At around 4pm, the trophy presentations will be made by Skerries Miss Rás 2018 Naoise Ensor. 

Naoise (17) is a Skerries Community College student and will be taking the afternoon off from her Leaving Cert preparations to make presentations  to the winners. 

Naoise is a keen and talented sportswoman involved in Gaelic and hockey at local level and is delighted to be representing Skerries at this prestigious sporting event.

This year’s Rás covers 1,180 kilometres over eight stages beginning in Drogheda on Sunday, May 20 and culminating in the final gruelling day of 145km from Naas  to Skerries.

After eight tough days in the saddle, capped off with two circuits around the town and two gruelling climbs to Ardgillan, the Rás riders will deserve a rapturous Skerries welcome as they cross the finish line for a third and final time.