Kilkenny

Kilkenny is gearing up for the final stages of Rás na mBan, Ireland's international bike race for women, with music performances taking place at The Parade as the race comes to a close this Sunday, September 8th.
Athletes have travelled from around the world to take part in the event, with Olympians, track specialists, crit racers, and climbers alike all vying for various stage wins and the overall general classification win.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The race is taking place over five days and six stages, finishing on Sunday, as the riders do battle over 400km on six separate stages on some of the most beautiful roads in and around County Kilkenny.&nbsp;

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<h4>Kilkenny Powers to Victory As Mia Griffin Wins Day 1 Stage</h4>
Kilkenny native, Mia Griffin stormed to victory in Callan, County Kilkenny on Wednesday, September 4th, repeating the feat she achieved on the same stage last year.
She recently returned from competing on the track at the Paris Olympics.&nbsp;
One hundred riders from fourteen countries assembled at the Hoban Hotel in Kilkenny City for the 74 kilometre long opening stage, with one categorised climb preceding two finishing circuits around the town of Callan.
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<h4>The Final Day of Racing&nbsp;</h4>
Sunday 8th September, the final day of racing, will kick off with individual time trials from 9am, starting out on The Parade and completing a technical route with sharp cornering along by Canal Walk and around the walls of the Castle against the watch.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The race will end with the popular Kilkenny City Circuit Race, starting from 1.30pm, on The Parade in front of Kilkenny Castle, approximately an hour and fifteen minutes of high-octane city centre racing, after which the champion of Rás na mBan 2024 will be crowned.

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Kilkenny County Council are excited to be hosting the event and bringing top-class riders to Kilkenny.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Parade is a fantastic location to watch the event and this year, there will be food and coffee available, with Bula Bus, Blásta Wood Fired Pizza, Sonny’s Korean Fried Chicken, The Brew Buggy and Rockfield Ice Cream Stand.&nbsp;
St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band will perform at 11.30am between the stage events and DJ Brian Hennessy will continue the party after the final podium presentations, from 2.30p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h4>An Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Michael McCarthy, is delighted to see the event return to Kilkenny.&nbsp;</h4>
“We are excited to host such a high-quality sports event, don't miss out on all the action at Rás naBan. With riders travelling from around the world it's really going to be something in our City and County!”
Stage 2 moves to the Slieve Bloom mountains in Laois on Thursday. On Friday the riders roll out from the Hoban Hotel at 12 noon to and continue through Gowran and Goresbridge before continuing on to the finish in Gorey.&nbsp;&nbsp;
On Saturday, the riders return to Kilkenny. They roll out of the Hoban Hotel at 9am., and travel through Kells, Dunnamaggin, Thomastown, Inistioge, The Rower, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown, Inisitioge and The Rower&nbsp;
Full route details and map links for the 2024 Rás na mBan can be viewed at <a href="https://rasnamban.com/" target="_blank">www.rasnamban.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Road closures will be in place in the city centre on Sunday.

Kilkenny Gears Up for Rás na mBan Finale This Weekend

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