Tour de Munster 2016 is in Gear and Ready to Hit the Roads for Down Syndrome Ireland

The Tour de Munster charity cycle is just around the corner.

The annual event in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland will be kicking off in Waterford on Thursday, 4th August, and finishing up in Cork on Sunday, 7th August.  Over 100 cyclists have signed up for the Tour and are getting geared up for this year’s event!

Travelling over 600 km in just four days, the amateur cyclists will make their way through beautiful cities, towns and villages of all six counties of Munster. Joining them will be cycling legend Sean Kelly, who is a huge supporter of the event with this being his 11th year participating in the Tour de Munster. All funds raised from the charity cycle will go directly to the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI), now in its 7th year as beneficiary of the cycle.

Since its inception in 2001, Tour de Munster has raised over €2 million for its beneficiaries with almost €1.6 million for DSI alone. Paul Sheridan, who established Tour de Munster, could not be prouder of the Tour and its many participants over the last 15 years.

Speaking ahead of the event Paul said “There is huge admiration for those partaking and supporting the cycle. These cyclists dedicate months to training and fundraising for the annual cycle. The Tour is a real endurance test for the amateur cyclists and the public support makes such a huge difference to all of the participants. Supporters are a vital ingredient to the success of the tour, they contribute to such a fantastic atmosphere, cheering and motivating the cyclists throughout the cycle. With all donations going straight to Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland, we’re encouraging the people of Munster to dig deep, come out and support, and help raise much needed funds for this worthwhile cause from August 4th to 7th.”

Paul continued “With the phenomenal success in fundraising in recent years, we really want to keep up the momentum. Each year, support for the Tour grows and it’s wonderful to see the great work being carried out by DSI’s Munster branches, and the many families whose lives are improved as a result of these branches.”

The Irish Examiner, Clare FM, Tipp FM, Red FM and WLR FM are the Official Media Partners of Tour de Munster 2016.  

For route information and the latest information and news log onto www.tourdemunster.com, find it on Facebook, or follow the Tour on twitter @tourdemunster. For further information on Down Syndrome Ireland please see www.downsyndrome.ie.  

Tour de Munster 2016 Route:

Stage 1: Thursday, 4th August - Waterford to Tipperary to Limerick to Clare

Waterford (City Hall): 9.40am - 10am

Carrick-On-Suir (Sean Kelly Sports Centre): 11am - 11.10am

Clonmel (Clonmel Óg GAA, tea/ coffee): 12.05pm - 12.30pm

Cahir: 1.20pm

Tipperary (Lunch: Limerick Racecourse): 2.05pm - 2.50pm

Limerick (City Hall): 4.30pm - 5pm

Clonlara: 5.40pm

Killaloe (Lakeside Hotel): 6pm

Stage 2: Friday, 5th August - Clare to Kerry

Killaloe: 9am

Tuamgraney: 9.45am - 10am

Ennis (Templegate Hotel, tea/ coffee): 11am - 11.30am

Kilrush (Lunch: Community Hall): 1.45pm - 2.30pm

Kilimer (Ferry): 3pm

Tarbert: 3.20pm

Listowel (Christy’s Pub, tea/ coffee): 4.10pm - 4.40pm

Tralee (Dinner: Fel’s Point Hotel): 5.45pm

Stage 3: Saturday, 6th August - Kerry

Tralee: 10am

Stradbally: 10.50am - 11am

Dingle (Lunch: Skellig Hotel): 12.30pm - 1.15pm

Castlemaine: 2.30pm

Milltown: 2.40pm

Killarney (Break: Deenagh Lodge): 4pm - 4.30pm

Kenmare (Dinner: Landsdowne Arms Hotel): 5.45pm

Stage 4: Sunday, 7th August - Kerry to Cork

Kenmare: 10am

Glengariff (The Maple Leaf Bar, tea/ coffee): 11am - 11.30am

Ballylickey: 12pm

Gouganebarra (Lunch): 1pm - 1.45pm

Inchigeela: 2.20pm - 2.35pm

Macroom: 3.15pm

Lissarda (Break): 3.35pm - 3.50pm

Cork (Silversprings Moran Hotel, Regency Suite, reception): 5.15 pm

Please visit http://www.tourdemunster.com/the-route/ for further details and the latest updates.