Cyclists ready for Tour of Ireland

Cyclists are gearing up today for the Tour of Ireland cycle race.

A peleton of 126 riders will compete in the five-day event which begins in Kilkenny and ends in Dublin on Sunday.

The five-stage, 864 km race, which is part-funded by Failte Ireland, is televised live in a number of countries.

Today’s stage makes its way from Kilkenny to Cork City before cyclists tackle the scenic Clonakilty-Killarney route tomorrow.

Other towns that feature on the race programme include Tralee, Ballybunion, Foynes, Limerick City, Killaloe, Tuamgraney, Ennis, Galway City, Cong, Westport, Louisburgh.

Competitors reach Merrion Square, Dublin on Sunday after pedalling through Athlone, Mullingar, Kinnegad and Enfield.

The race is recognised by the European Tour by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), the world governing body for cycling.