STAGE 1 | STAGE 2 | STAGE 3 | STAGE 4 | STAGE 5
The 2026 Rás Tailteann (the 71st edition of Ireland's premier international stage cycling race) is scheduled to run from Wednesday 20th May to Sunday 24th May, 2026.
It covers approximately 785 kms across five stages, featuring 21 categorised climbs and a mix of demanding terrain, technical finishes, and traditional Irish roads.
The 2026 Rás Tailteann kicks off in the heart of the Midlands, with Stage 1 unfolding from Portlaoise in County Laois to the historic town of Kilmallock in County Limerick, covering 161.6 kilometers of mostly flat roads that wind through picturesque villages like Abbeyleix, Rathdowney, and Templemore.
This opening leg pays homage to Laois's role in Irish cycling, where stages have honored legends like Mick Twomey, a dedicated Rás official whose legacy spans decades.
Venturing deeper into the southwest for Stage 2, the peloton transfers to Rathmore in County Kerry before tackling the longest and most grueling day at 182.9 kilometers to Banteer in County Cork, featuring iconic climbs like the Caha Pass and Gougane Gap.
Kerry's rugged terrain has long been a proving ground for legends such as Gene Mangan, the 1955 winner known for his sportsmanship and stage victories, Paudie Fitzgerald 1956 winner, and Mick Murphy, the "Iron Man" who claimed overall glory in 1958 with feats of sheer willpower.
Crossing into Cork, the stage honours a county that produced Dillon Corkery, the 2023 champion who stunned with a late solo raid to victory, blending the region's scenic beauty with its history of producing resilient riders.
Stage 3 shifts eastward from Mitchelstown in County Cork to Enniscorthy in County Wexford, a brisk 155.6 kilometers marked by technical roads and an uphill drag to the finish, passing through Fethard, Thomastown, and Graiguenamanagh.
Building on Cork's cycling heritage, where teams like the 1966 squad including John Nolan and Tommy Pratt left their mark, this leg transitions to Wexford, a county whose roads have hosted dramatic finishes but awaits more prominent figures among Rás lore.
The action intensifies in Stage 4, starting in Carlow Town, County Carlow, and climbing 141.6 kilometers into the Wicklow Mountains to Baltinglass in County Wicklow, reviving challenging ascents like Drumgoff and Wicklow Gap after an eight-year hiatus.
Carlow's pride shines through Mike O'Donaghue, the 1973 overall winner who embodied the grit of local cyclists, having started his Rás journey as a young contender from the area.
As the route ascends into Wicklow's dramatic landscapes, it echoes past epics over these hills, where riders like Sé O'Hanlon tested their limits on similar mountainous stages, though the county itself has inspired many without claiming a signature victor.
Culminating in Stage 5, the race returns to Carlow Town for a final push northward to Dunboyne in County Meath, navigating the plains of Carlow and Kildare before tackling the Hill of Allen and a circuit finish to crown the champion.
Reprising Carlow's connection through O'Donaghue's legacy, the finale honors Meath's storied contributions, home to Ben McKenna, the 1959 winner, and Kevin Kimmage, who triumphed in 1991, alongside other greats like Brian Connaughton and Colm Nulty.
This route blends flat-to-rolling early stages with tougher mountainous and technical days, especially in Stage 2 and the Wicklow finale buildup.
Promises to be another cracking edition!
