The tenth anniversary edition of An Post Rás na mBan is finally over and there’s been some time to reflect on what everyone agrees has been the biggest and best edition of the race to date.
The tenth anniversary edition of An Post Rás na mBan is finally over and there’s been some time to reflect on what everyone agrees has been the biggest and best edition of the race to date.
The weather was certainly challenging but the riders, the toughest bunch I’ve ever seen, seemed to revel in the conditions.
Our volunteer base increased again this year and, while it’s still a small tight knit team, the extra personnel helped make the pre-event preparation and the event itself probably the smoothest running I can remember.
I would like to acknowledge, on behalf of the Rás na mBan crew, the hard work and selfless effort from each and every one of the team of volunteers who have helped make the tenth edition of Ireland’s premier women’s bike race the best ever.
For our third year in County Clare, the event has benefited once again from enthusiastic local support and the legions of marshals from the various County Clare cycling clubs for which we are very grateful.
That support, added to a record 105 riders in the event, have helped elevate the event to a new standard and the preparation, presentation and promotion of the event have once again risen to match it.
An Post Rás na mBan remains a work in progress and all involved will continue to strive to improve the event and make it a proper showcase for women’s international bike racing in Ireland.
The event continues to flourish in spite of difficult economic conditions and this year’s edition made it 29 years of international stage racing for women in Ireland in 2015.
We would to like to say thank you and congratulations to all the managers, mechanics and soigneurs who gave their time to support the riders and the race.
We’d also like to thank and congratulate all the riders in An Post Rás na mBan 2015 for their commitment, talent and fortitude throughout a really tough five days.
The event goes from strength to strength thanks to the efforts of all associated with it.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.
Best regards,
Valerie Considine, Fiona Cooke, Dave Cormack, Declan Quigley
On behalf of all the riders, officials, fans and supporters of An Post Rás na mBan, we’d like to express our gratitude to the following for making it the best bike race in Ireland:-
An Garda Síochána, Clare County Council & Ennis Town Council
Title Sponsor: An Post
Classification Sponsors: Points Jersey – National Dairy Council; QOH Jersey: Irish Veterans Cycling Association IVCA / Wicklow 200; Best Young Rider (U23) – Cycling Ireland Women’s Commission; Best Irish Rider Jersey – Clare County Council; Stage Winner – Cycling Leinster
Cycling Ireland & the Sports Council
Benefactors: Paul Atkinson, Paul Deans
Trophies & Finishers’ Medals: Liam Dolan @Brightsport.ie; Stage Medals: Vincent Cronin
Official Race Vehicles: Jason Cummins Toyota Car Centre; An Post; Swords CC; Usher IRC
Race officials
Chief CommissaireJohn Breen
CommissairesBrian Jordan, Derek Webb
Moto Commissaire InfoAustin Sheedy
Time KeeperGordon Parker, Alicja Cermak
ResultsMicheal Concannon
JudgesDermot O’Gorman & Mick Hennessy
DriversPaul Deans, Rory Wyley, Ronan Fox, Stephen O’Shea, Philip Colleran, Mark Shannon
Race Announcer & RadiosOliver McKenna
DoctorsDr James O’Donovan & Dr Lucy Soden & assistance provided by Dr Glynn of Ballyvaghan Medical Centre.
AmbulanceClare Civil Defence:- Noel Carmody, Victor & Crew
Safety OfficerTom Malone
Lead CarsGer Madden, Mick Ryder, Ted Burns
Podium OrganisersMags Donnelly & Donna Cormack
Neutral Service Crew IDermot McMahon, John Dillon, Paddy Davis, Gerry Beggs
Chief Motorbike MarshalJohn Ryan;
Motor Bike MarshalsMark Corcoran, Chris Toner; Kevin Cooper; Malcolm Goode, Brendan Boland, Gerry Murray; Graham McMahon; John McKenna;, Noel Tonge, Tom Roche, Keith Higgins, Ted O’Malley, Declan McEvoy
BlackboardTosh Lavery & Helen Sinnott
Broom WagonPat Halpin
Finish ManagersJohn & Lilly Colleran
Stagecoaster Fergus
Accommodation Officer Fiona Cooke
Marshal Crews & Local Support; Dolmen Cycling Club; Burren Cycling Club; Clare Crusaders; West Clare CC; Clare Ladies Cycling
Signage Design & Production: –An Post: – Brian Walsh; Shay Donnelly
Signage Crew: – Philip Colleran, Dave Cormack; Ger Madden; Mick Hennessy; John Dillon; John Colleran & Bryan Colleran.
Representatives / Podium Presenters
An Post: – Barney Whelan; Aileen Mooney; Postmistress Scarrif; National Dairy council:
Caroline O’Donovan; IVCA: – Paul Deans; Conrad McCullough; Cycling Ireland: – Denis
Toomey; Clare County Councillors Mary Howard & Paul Murphy; Failte Ireland: -Michael Fitzsimmons.
Press, Photography, Social Media
PRO Declan Quigley
Photographers Lorraine O’Sullivan, Karen Edwards
Social MediaFiona Cooke; Georgie Francis
Web AdministratorJulia Phillips
An Post Social MediaFeargal Purcell; Joe Murray; Angus Laverty
WebStickyBottle.com; Irishcyclingphotos
Local MediaClare Champion; Clare Herald; Clare People; Clare FM
National MediaIrish Independent; Irish Times; Shane Stokes; RTE.ie; TG4
Race Manual
Race Programme layout & designAidan Collins Off Beat
Race Programme Print ManagerStephen Mangan – An Post
TV: Declan Quigley; Wojceich Musial; Donal Glackin; Aidan Collins; Steve McCullagh
