Rás Mumhan lands new title sponsor, plans five-stage event

While the last few years have brought some difficult times in Irish road cycling, with a number of high profile events and the national governing body still searching for new title sponsors, Rás Mumhan has now landed a new backer.

And the fact Dornan is now coming on board to replace Kerry Group will be welcomed by the road racing community, especially as Rás Mumhan has grown into one of the focal points of the domestic calendar.

With the race now having emerged through the tricky years of the pandemic with a new financial backer, its future as the premier Easter stage race looks secured and it may now expand to five stages.

“We are thrilled at the announcement of Dornan as the title sponsor, with the success of the 2023 race it is great to be able to build year on year,” said race director John Breen.

“The legacy of previous committees has set the bar high and we must do everything to maintain that, now and into the future.”

Dornan is a leading mechanical, electrical and instrumentation contractor. Its group managing director, Micheál O’Connor, is from Co Kerry and said he was very proud the firm would now be the title sponsor of such a prestigious event in his home place.

“As a Kerry native and cycling enthusiast myself, and with our headquarters based in Cork, I am thrilled to announce Dornan’s participation as the title sponsor of Rás Mumhan,” he said.

“This challenging race not only provides a platform for the growth of cycling talent, but it also serves as a catalyst for promoting sports across the region.

“We are excited to be part of an event that showcases the beauty and dynamism of the Munster region to a diverse and extensive domestic as well as international audience.”

Race director Breen added plans for the 2024 edition were already well advanced. He was really looking forward to seeing top domestic and international riders doing battle on the roads of Kerry and Cork next Easter.

“The race will start again on Good Friday and race right through to Easter Monday,” he said. “There will be a lot of familiar terrain on the route and also some new challenges.

“Once the final logistical issues are sorted we will announce the route but riders and teams will need to be aware there will potentially be an earlier start on Friday with the possibility of five stages this year”.