Banteer is preparing to welcome the Rás Tailteann back to the heart of North Cork cycling country, with the village set to host the dramatic finish of Stage 2.
The final 100–200 metres of the stage will finish outside the home of Páidí O’Brien, the proud Banteer native and former Rás competitor who remains closely associated with the race and local cycling community.
Excitement is already building following the confirmation of the Kanturk Cycling Club team for the 2026 edition of the Rás Tailteann. Racing under O’Leary Stone and Kanturk CC, the Cork-based squad will feature Arnaud Dumoulin, Daragh McGee, Willem O’Connor, Ben Murphy, and Rory Condon, with Dan Curtin serving as team manager.
The Rás Tailteann continues to hold a unique place in Irish sport, combining elite competition with strong community spirit, and Banteer is once again expected to play a central role in the atmosphere surrounding the race.
Among those reflecting on the significance of the event is 2023 Rás Tailteann winner Dillon Corkery, who spoke about what the race means to him and his excitement ahead of another edition of Irish cycling’s premier stage race.
(Source https://www.instagram.com/rastailteann_official/)
Páidí O’Brien also shared his thoughts on what the event means locally. O’Brien competed in eight editions of the Rás between 2004 and 2018, with his standout performance coming in 2007 when he finished second overall, just 17 seconds behind Germany’s Tony Martin, who later became a multiple world time trial champion.
The Rás Tailteann remains Ireland’s premier stage race, attracting top domestic and international riders while demanding huge commitment from teams, organisers, and host communities alike.
Banteer itself has a proud history with the race and has featured in many memorable moments over the years. Among the area’s most notable cycling names is Eddie Dunbar, who competed in his only Rás Tailteann in 2016 as a 19-year-old with the Irish national team. Dunbar claimed a stage victory into Baltinglass and finished fourth overall before progressing to a successful professional career, including stage wins at the 2024 Vuelta a España with the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.
Further back in local cycling history, Mick Cahill enjoyed a standout 1973 season, winning both Rás Mumhan and the 100 Mile Road Championship before finishing third overall in that year’s Rás Tailteann.