Youghal in the saddle for timely boost from Ironman for East Cork economy

The three-day festival begins with run-only Ironkids races on Friday night, followed by a half Ironman on Saturday and the full Ironman through Sunday

Well-known triathlon athlete Chris Mintern in training on Windmill Hill last month for this year's Ironman in Youghal. A unique feature of Youghal's Ironman is the muscle-churning 21% gradient cycle up the hill's 150 metre incline, which was a major spectator point in 2019. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

East Cork is set for a multi-million euro windfall next weekend when the Ironman Cork triathlon series returns to the seaside town of Youghal following a two-year Covid-19 hiatus.

The event returns as an expanded three-day festival, beginning with run-only Ironkids races on Friday night, followed by a half Ironman (70.3 miles) on Saturday and the full Ironman through Sunday.