Rás na mBan returns to Kilkenny next month for landmark edition

The event brings riders from all over the world to compete in the high-level competition

Published 17th Aug 2026, 14:00 BST Cllr. Andrew Mc Guinness, Mayor of Kilkenny City, Caoimhe O’Brien, race competitor and Cllr. Joe Malone, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council The event brings riders from all over the world to compete in the high-level competition Sign up to our Kilkenny Live Sport newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kilkenny Live within your account.

Rás na mBan returns to Kilkenny this September as Ireland’s international bike race for women prepares to celebrate its 20th edition.

It’s also the ten year anniversary of the event making Kilkenny its base and a busy week of top class bike racing will culminate with the traditional Sunday double header of race action at Kilkenny Castle.

All week long, the top locally-based riders will be vying for the coveted green Kilkenny County Council best Irish Rider jersey, one of the most highly prized awards in Irish cycle racing.

Beginning on Wednesday, September 2, the 2026 edition of the race will see three of the six stages hosted within County Kilkenny with the Race HQ firmly established from a Kilkenny base.

The opening stage will get underway from Race HQ at the Hoban Hotel with the peloton racing through Freshford, past Urlingford, crossing into County Tipperary briefly as they ride towards Ballingarry.

While the route will mirror last year in the opening 76km, riders will pass through the finish line in Freshford and continue for 8km on the original route before taking a sharp left and heading for the top of Rathealy from a different angle before a fast finish in Freshford.

This year’s extended version will feature three Queen of the Mountains (QoM) opportunities, for any climbers hoping to make their mark early in the race.

Kearney’s Hill will play host to the opening battle for the coveted IVCA Wicklow 200 QoM jersey, while Rathealy will provide additional challenge with maximum gradients of 13.5% (average of 3.1%) on the second ascent.

Sunday, September 6, the final day of racing, will again feature a double helping of top class racing starting with the fifth stage - a 2.5km time trial set against the backdrop of one of Kilkenny’s most iconic landmarks.

The race will end with the popular hour-long Kilkenny City Circuit Race on the familiar 2.5km circuit starting on The Parade in front of Kilkenny Castle, a spectacular and high octane end to the five days of racing.

Kilkenny County Council has supported the event since 2016 and once again, starting on Wednesday, September 2, along with the race for the overall title, the best locally based talent is vying for the highly coveted green jersey awarded to the Kilkenny County Best Irish Rider.

The leading Irish rider will be presented on the podium after each stage and recognisable in the bunch each day by the distinctive green jersey.

Riders from all over Europe and further afield, as well as the best of Ireland’s international and locally-based racers will descend on Kilkenny for the event which showcases the beauty and variety of roads and landscape of the Leinster county.