2024 Ras na mBan - Announces Challenging Wexford Stage

For the first time in its 18-year history, Ras na mBan, Ireland's only women's international bike stage race, has introduced a Wexford stage to its five-day schedule, which takes place from September 4th to 8th.

The 2024 edition of the race is the 18th under the title of Rás na mBan and the 37th annual international stage race for women in Ireland. In its current format, it runs for five days and six stages totalling over 400km of racing action.

The 104.2km stage of the race will leave from the Hoban Hotel in Kilkenny at 12 noon on Friday, September 6th, and travel through Kiltealy and Bunclody, before taking on two Queen of the Mountain challenges at Sliabh Buí and Ballymore, before heading for the finish line in Gorey at approximately 2.40pm.


Senator Malcolm Byrne welcomed Rás na mBan to Wexford, saying, “We are delighted that such a prestigious international sports event as Rás na mBan is coming to County Wexford and I’m particularly pleased that Gorey has been chosen as a stage finish venue. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the idyllic, challenging and breath-taking scenery of our county not only to the riders, but to spectators around the world.

“I would particularly like to thank the Rás na mBan committee for including Wexford in the route this year and I’d also like to commend the vision of Wexford County Council and its elected representatives in working with the race committee to attract an event which is a showcase for women’s sport in Ireland and whose participants serve as significant role models and inspiration for girls and women.”

Race Director, Valerie Considine said, “It’s our great pleasure and privilege to bring Rás na mBan to Wexford for the first time. It’s a county with a well-documented history in Irish cycle racing and the route we have selected is one which reflects the heritage and beauty of the county.

“We’re very grateful to everyone in Wexford County Council for their help in making this stage possible and we’re sure that our riders and supporters will enjoy a great day of racing on the roads of the Model County. We look forward to seeing fans from all over Wexford and beyond out to support these world class athletes on the race route and at the finish in Gorey.”

The 2024 running of the event begins on Wednesday September 4th with six stages taking place over five days.

This year the route offers a variety of challenges from testing hilly stages including the stage two climb of ‘The Cut’ in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Laois followed by the demanding Kilkenny to Wexford stage three, returning to Kilkenny to take on ‘The Rower’ on the penultimate day, before the stage five-time trial on Sunday where riders will ride solo against the watch on the new Kilkenny Castle course.