At the launch of the Ras Tailteann at Bective Stud (from left) were Noel Moran (Bective Stud and Tea Rooms), Colm O'Rourke (Meath senior football manager), Chris Reilly (Bohermeen Cycling Club), Luke Smith (Moynalty Cycling Club), Valerie Moran (Bective Stud and Tea Rooms) and Martin Murray (Director of Services, Meath County Council).

Bective to welcome concluding stage of Ras Tailteann

Calling all cycling enthusiasts. This May you can cheer on and support some of the finest cyclists from around the world, as the winner of this year’s Rás Tailteann will be determined right in Co Meath.

Bective, midway between Trim and Navan, will be the finishing point for the 69th edition of the Rás Tailteann, which will take place from Wednesday 22nd May to Sunday 26th May.

Meaath senior football manager Colm O'Rourke (centre) in conversation with Noel Moran (left), Bective Stud and Tea Rooms and Des Foley, Director of services, Meath County Council. Photo: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net Photo by Gerry Shanahan

Three finishing laps of a 14.1km spectator-friendly circuit will allow spectators a chance to see the competition during a one-hour finale around the roads of central Meath.

Visitors will be able to witness the exciting conclusion to the Rás including the prize giving ceremony at the eye-catching surroundings of Bective Stud, Apartments and Tearooms, after taking in some of the many attractions in the Boyne Valley.

On Sunday 26th May, spectators will line the streets of towns and villages throughout Meath to see the Rás make its way from Maynooth through Dunboyne, Ratoath, Ashbourne, Stamullen, Julianstown and onto the coast at Laytown, before swinging back inland via Donore, Garlow Cross and finishing at Bective Stud on the banks of the River Boyne.

The road outside Bective Stud hosted the start of the Ras last year. Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net Photo by David Mullen

At Bective, there will be parking and refreshments available and spectators can watch the riders do three laps of the final circuit.

There are two category three climbs along the way before a super-fast circuit awaits in Bective for this year's final hour of racing, where the 2024 Rás Tailteann winner will get their hands on the famous George Plant trophy.

Everyone is welcome to line out at Bective on the Trim-Navan road to welcome and cheer on the cyclists on Sunday 26th May. The afternoon will present a great spectacle for people to come and view this special race.

“We are delighted to be able to reveal details of the Rás Tailteann 2024 route. With five epic days of cycling, there are a series of very tricky climbs along the way southwards and back up the country towards our ultimate finish in Bective on Sunday 26th May, for what promises to be an extra special day," said Rás Director Ger Campbell.

Ras Tailteann race director Ger Campbell. Photo by Gerry Shanahan

"We want everyone to come out to support our riders at Bective and can’t wait to welcome everyone to Rás Tailteann 2024.”

“We are really excited to welcome the 69th edition of the Rás Tailteann to the Boyne Valley and support the final stage in Meath. The Boyne Valley is known for its stunning landscape so it will be a fitting environment for the final stage of the Rás. We look forward to welcoming cyclists and spectators to towns and villages right across Meath on Sunday 26th May for what will be a fantastic event,” said Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive Meath County Council.

“We are delighted that Rás Tailteann will be finishing at Bective and so pleased to be the main sponsor of the coveted yellow jersey. We look forward to welcoming visitors for what will be a fantastic event and to enjoy the finish right opposite Bective Stud, on the Trim Road. We wish the very best of luck to everyone competing in the Rás,” concluded Noel Moran, owner of Bective Stud, Apartments and Tea Rooms.

The Bective Stud staff will be busy when Ras Tailteann concludes at Bective in May. Photo by David Mullen