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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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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

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Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.

The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.

Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.

Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.

She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.

“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”

In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.

In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.

last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.

During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.

This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.

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Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]

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Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.

Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.

This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.

Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.

“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.

“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”

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