The ninth Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford, part of the An Post Series, an Irish Sports Council initiative, of five cycling events throughout Ireland in 2015 and what is sure to be one of the most colourful and spectacular events in Waterford’s 2015 sporting calendar is almost upon us. The tour takes place this Saturday and Sunday August 22nd and 23rd August.
It is now too late to enter for any of Sunday’s three routes as entry closed when the participant limit of 5000 entries was reached earlier this month. However for those wishing to cycle as part of Saturday’s 12k Kelly Spin you can enter on the day and full details are below. 5000 cyclists have signed up for this year’s event and the popularity of the tour is due to the hard work and dedication of the Sean Kelly Tour Committee which consists of representatives of Waterford City & County Council, Waterford Sports Partnership, County Waterford Community Forum, eight local cycling clubs and of course the one and only Sean Kelly. Add to that the hard work and enthusiasm of over five hundred local volunteers and you have a very special recipe for success.
Just some of the highlights of this year’s event:
1. 12k Kelly Spin: Your chance to cycle the Old Railway Walk, Abbeyside which will be part of the Waterford Greenway in the not too distant future, with an estimated 1500 other participants as part of the 12k Kelly Spin which starts at 11:30 a.m. from Walton Park, Abbeyside, Dungarvan. Entry on the day from 10.30 am at The Causeway Tennis Club, Abbeyside. Entry costs just €2 per person. Also why not take the chance to support the tour’s nominated charity for 2015, The Irish Pilgrimage Trust. There will be food stalls, face painting and with the WLR FM Street Team, kindly sponsored by Flahavans as part of a fun packed day-bring along the whole family and don’t miss it!
2. All three events on Sunday 23rd August! The now traditional 50k Kelly Cruise, the stunningly scenic 100k Kelly Heritage route and the infamous 160k Kelly Comeragh Challenge!
3. Just being part of this great event! If you have not entered the tour but still want to be part of the action you can do so in a number of ways. By taking part in the 12k Kelly Spin on Saturday or by volunteering. The organisers always need extra help with some 500 people giving a helping hand over the weekend of the tour. For more details e-mail info@theseankellytour.com.
Traffic and the Route
Waterford City & County Council would like to draw all road users attention to the fact that the Sean Kelly Tour is a leisure cycle which will be taking place over the entire day of Sunday 23rd August. There will also be some disruption in the Dungarvan area on Saturday 22nd August as the 12k Kelly Spin will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (approx). Most roads will remain open at all times, however there are a number of road closures (see www.theseankellytour.com) and all cyclists must obey the rules of the road however we would ask all road users and particularly motorists to be extra vigilant for cyclists. The cavalcade will also consist of support vehicles and spectators both young and old, so please practice caution as we want this tour to be a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Gardai, Civil Defence, Irish Red Cross, Order of Malta and event marshals will be present at key points on the routes to help both cyclists and other road users navigate their way safely around the county over the weekend.
The main routes and times include:
Saturday 22nd August:
12k Kelly Spin: Walton Park-Sexton St-Crottys Corner-Clonea Road (R675)-Barnawee Bridge-Ballinroad Roundabout-Ballinclamper-Ballinacourty-Gold Coast Road-Sea Park-Sarsfield Street-Strandside-Walton Park: 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will be road closure in operation on The Causeway and Strandside between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (approx) to facilitate the safe organisation of the event. There will also be rolling road closures on Sexton Street, Coolagh Road, Clonea Road (R675) from Crotty’s Corner to Ballinroad Roundabout and from Barnawee bridge along the Gold Coast road to Ballinacourty Lighthouse between 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. (approx). Stewards will be on hand to direct motorists. We thank you in advance for your patience.
Sunday 23rd August
160k Kelly Comeragh Challenge: Dungarvan-Lemybrien (N25), 8-10 a.m.; Lemybrien-Carrick-on-Suir (R676), 8-11 a.m.; Carrick-on-Suir-Clonmel (R680), 9a.m.-12p.m.; Clonmel-Ballymacarbry (R671), 10a.m.-1p.m.; Ballymacarbry-Dungarvan-via Powers the Pot (R671, R678),12p.m.-3p.m.; Ballyhest Cr. Rd (Dá Rua’s)-Mahon Bridge (R676), 1p.m.-4p.m.; Mahon Bridge-Bery’s Cross via Mahon Falls, Máma Road, Kilbrien, 2p.m.-6p.m.
100k Kelly Heritage Route: Dungarvan to Lismore via N72 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Lismore to Knockanore via Camphire Br 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Knockanore to Youghal Bridge via Glendine 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Youghal Bridge to Piltown Cross (N25); 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Piltown Cross to Ardmore via Kinsalebeg 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Ardmore to Ring Cross via Old Parish and An Rinn 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Ring Cross to Dungarvan Sports Centre via N25/Youghal Road 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
50k Kelly Cruise: Dungarvan-Villierstown via Ballinameela 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.; Dromana Drive 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Cappoquin-Dungarvan (via Bog Road)-11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Dungarvan Finish area: There will be a road closure and traffic/parking restrictions in the following areas from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday 24th August to facilitate the finish of the Sean Kelly Tour-Fr Twomey’s Road, Youghal Road, Mitchell Street, Collins Road, Mary Street, Emmett Street, New Chapel Street, Strand Street, St. Augustine Street, Church Street, Boreenatra and Castle Street.
Parking
No parking will be available at Dungarvan Sports Centre on the day of the tour.
There will be two dedicated car parks at The Burgery and also on the N25, Youghal Road for participants..
Limited parking will be available at Scanlon’s Yard, Grattan Square and a number of other locations which will be clearly marked ‘PARKING’. Organisers would appeal to all local participants and to those staying in accommodation locally to please leave the car behind and avoid adding to the traffic-Think Smarter Travel.
Jersey Collection and Start Times
All participants must sign in and collect goody bags either between 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning 23rd August or to make things run even more smoothly, from 12-8 p.m. on Saturday afternoon 22nd August in Dungarvan Sports Centre.
The official start time with Sean Kelly, event sponsors and other dignitaries present will take place at 8.15 a.m. sharp for the 160k Kelly Comeragh Challenge, 9:00 a.m. for the 100k Kelly Heritage Route and 9:45 a.m. for the 50k Kelly Cruise.
Reminder
Entry for the 2015 tour is now closed and there will be absolutely no entries taken in Dungarvan Sports Centre on the weekend of the event.
Best of Luck
All that is left for the organisers to say is to wish all intending participants the best of luck. Remember it is not a race. Enjoy the scenery, the fresh-air, the food stops, the post-event refreshments, the sports massage, the entertainment, the souvenir jersey and everything that goes with being part of the Sean Kelly Tour of Waterford.
Check out www.theseankellytour.com; e-mail info@theseankellytour.com or contact 058-21104
for more details and event updates. Like the Sean Kelly Tour on Facebook.
Article Modified: August 21, 2015 8:53 am
