Dermot Dignam County Award

As the 70th Rás Tailteann approaches, the organisers are proud to unveil a brand new prize that celebrates the spirit of Ireland’s storied county rivalries: the Dermot Dignam County Rider Award. To be presented for the first time on Sunday, May 25th, 2025, at the race’s final podium in Bective Stud, this trophy will honour the highest placed rider competing for any of Ireland’s county teams and pay tribute to the extraordinary contribution of Dermot Dignam, who served as Race Director for over three decades.

Dermot Dignam first rode the Rás in 1959, racing intermittently until 1972, before dedicating himself to organising the event. After succeeding Joe Christle in the late 1970s, Dignam guided the Rás Tailteann’s transformation into a professional level stage race, securing key sponsors and expanding its international profile. He retired in 2012, capping a 34 year tenure that saw the race grow from a national fixture to a fixture on the UCI Europe Tour. His encyclopaedic knowledge of every county road and corner, combined with his tireless work behind the scenes, shaped the Rás into the premier spectacle it is today.

Ger Campbell, Race Director, said: “Dermot Dignam’s dedication defined the Rás Tailteann for generations. He believed passionately in county pride and grassroots competition—values at the heart of our race since 1953. This award ensures his legacy lives on, rewarding those same county riders he championed throughout his remarkable career.”

The new Dermot Dignam County Rider Award will not only celebrate exceptional performances in 2025 but will also cement Dermot’s ethos of county loyalty and grassroots development. As county riders chase this inaugural trophy, they carry forward the spirit of a man who devoted his life to the Rás Tailteann—and to Irish cycling as a whole.

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The 70th edition of the Rás Tailteann will take place from May 21st to May 25th, 2025.

The event will start in the cycling stronghold of Drogheda, Co Louth on Wednesday, May 21st heading westwards to finish in Boyle, Co Roscommon. A transfer to Charlestown for the start of stage two where the riders will take on the infamous Windy Gap and Maumtrasna climbs in the longest of the 2025 Rás Tailteann stages. Another transfer to Co Mayo for the start of stage three, where Cong will welcome the Rás Tailteann. After setting off from Cong, the riders will take in breathtaking scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way before they face the fast finish towards Miltown Malbay in County Clare.

The penultimate stage will kick off from Ennis, Co Clare and take on 2 x category three climbs before crossing the category one Wolftrap climb with less than 15KM remaining – will there be enough time to regroup before the finish in Mountrath, Co Laois? The final stage of Rás Tailteann 2025 will kick off in Kildare Town heading across the plains of ‘The Lilywhite County’ before entering Co Meath where again, the winner of Rás Tailteann will be crowned in Bective. The 2025 edition of the race is again five stages and will take on over 760KM along the roads of The Emerald Isle, including 13 categorised climbs.