100 cyclists will take to Kilkenny’s roads today for stage 2 of Rás na mBan

More than 100 of the world’s greatest female cyclists compete again today on local roads.

Rás na mBan’s second Stage sees participants leave the Hoban Hotel from midday heading towards Kells, Dunnamaggin, Knocktopher and Thomastown before looping through Inistioge, The Stripe, The Rower, Graiguenamagh and back around to The Rower again.

Stage 1 finished up in Callan last evening – Cllr and businessman there Joe Lyons says having such an international event visit brings huge benefits to the locality: ”Yes it’s a great boost for the town and the surrounding areas. I know last year it went out on an international sports programme. We heard the area was seen from people out foreign. So it’s also great for tourism.”