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International cycling returns to Killarney

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By Sean Moriarty

International cycling returns to the streets of Killarney tomorrow (Saturday) for the first time since 2009.

In the intervening years several international cycle races including the Rás Tailteann have passed through town but it is 13 years since Killarney hosted a stage start or finish of a major cycle race.

The town also hosted stage starts and finishes during the Nissan International Classic era of the late 1990s.

That will change tomorrow as Killarney Cycling Club host the start of Stage Two of the Rás Mumhan.

Over 150 riders representing Ireland, Scotland and England will roll out from St Oliver’s National School in Ballycasheen at 10.30am.

The peloton and its supporting cast of team cars and officials will create a colourful convoy along Countess Road and Mission Road.

The town centre element of the race will be neutralised until the riders reach Fossa at around 11am.

From there the cyclists will race over a daunting course via Killorglin, Bealach Óisín Pass and Coomakista near Waterville before the stage finishes in Sneem later in the day.

Back in 2009, during the professional Tour of Ireland, Killarney cycling fans got to see some of the best riders in the world in action, as the second stage finished on Port Road.

2009 Race

Local cycling journalist Padraig Harnett remembers the August 2009 race. He was travelling in a press car as the race made its way off Mushermore Mountain near Millstreet.

Irish star Mark Cassidy and Belgian rival Dennis Van Winden had built up a six minute lead over the chasing pack.

“It was the greatest performance I have ever seen, the cyclists came off the mountain at 80km/h, I was in a press car and the driver had to back off – it was too fast for the car,” Padraig told the Killarney Advertiser.

The stage was eventually won by ‘Manx Missile’ Mark Cavendish who now holds the joint-record for the most stage wins in the Tour de France. The peloton also included Lance Armstrong who finished third in the Tour de France earlier in the year and before his fall from grace.

“Cassidy and Van Winden were caught coming in by Lissivigeen. It resulted in a bunch sprint to the finish, Cavendish won but there was no doubt that the thousands of people along Port Road were there to see Armstrong. Hindsight is great,” he added. “Armstrong refused an interview, it was raining and he was too cold after the stage and stayed in the team bus.”

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Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Noel O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

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O’Sullivan returns to European Rally Championship

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan is set for a busy season as he returns to the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) while also preparing for a record-breaking attempt on home soil.

O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine have signed with the Swedish team JC Raceteknik for a full campaign focused on asphalt events. Their season begins this week at the Andalusia Rally – Sierra Morena in Spain. O’Sullivan remains the only Killarney-based co-driver competing at this level for a full season.
He brings significant international experience to the team, having previously worked with WRC driver Jon Armstrong during his early European outings. O’Sullivan and Devine recently proved their pace against top European crews with a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Rali Ceredigion in Wales.
Devine said:
“I’m really looking forward to coming back to the ERC. It’s always great for a driver to compete against Europe’s best on some iconic events. We’ve had great success back home in Ireland over the past few seasons, winning two Irish Tarmac Rally Championships, and we feel now is the right time to come back and take on some ERC events. Starting with Rally Sierra Morena, I’m delighted to be joining JC Raceteknik. I know they are a very professional team with a wealth of experience, and I’m looking forward to working closely with them.”
The European schedule will not interfere with O’Sullivan’s local plans. Following the rally in Spain, the pair will return to Kerry for the Rally of the Lakes over the May Bank Holiday weekend. They are aiming for a fifth consecutive victory in Killarney as they look to move back into the lead of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
The move to the European stage follows a successful week for O’Sullivan, who was recently named the International Motorsport winner at the Kerry Sports Star Awards.

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June

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Classic Tour set to celebrate heritage roads in June


A new heritage motoring event, the Killarney Classic Tour, has been confirmed for June 26–27, 2026. The two-day tour is designed to celebrate the iconic rally stages of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.


Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel, the event is non-competitive and open to a wide range of vintage and historic cars. Organisers are placing a particular focus on period-correct rally cars and recreations that reflect the history of the Circuit of Ireland, the Circuit of Munster, and the early years of the Rally of the Lakes.
The tour is the work of two well-known figures in Irish rallying, Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney. Marshall, a founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over 20 years, has designed a route that allows drivers to experience famous stages like Moll’s Gap at a relaxed pace. O’Mahoney, a long-term supporter of the sport through Rentokil and a historic car owner himself, joins Marshall in the venture.

Co-Founder O’Mahoney said:
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.”



The Saturday itinerary includes a lunch stop in Castletownbere before the field returns to Killarney for a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and a focus on the shared history of the sport.
“This event is about bringing people back together — the cars, the stories, and the friendships,” added Micheal O’Mahoney.
Registrations are now open at www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie.

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