Stage 1: Drogheda, Co Louth to Boyle, Co Roscommon (Distance: 155.5Km)
Wednesday, May 21st 2025

Drogheda – Slane – Kilberry – Kells – Drumbaragh – Ballinlough – Oldcastle – Mountnugent – Kilnaleck – Ballinagh – Crossdoney – Arvagh – Carrigalen – Mohill – Carrick-on-Shannon – Boyle

Following a ceremonial start in Drogheda Town Centre, the race will be neutralised onto the N51 towards Slane where the riders will pass the 0.0KM signs for the official start of Rás Tailteann 2025. The stage will pass through the rolling roads of North Meath and Leitrim before a fast finish into Boyle, Co Roscommon which is the home county of our 2022 champion, Daire Feeley.

With just one category 3 climb on route at ‘Sliabh na Cailligh’ just before Oldcastle, a large group of riders could very well still be together to battle it out in Boyle for the first stage win of 2025.

As per previous editions, there will be three hot spot sprints along the way during stage one which provide pivotal bonus seconds. They will be in Gibbstown Gaeltacht just after 20KM, Crossdoney just after 80KM and Mohill just after 120Km.

Stage 2: Charlestown, Co Mayo to Clifden, Co Galway (Distance: 170.9Km)
Thursday, May 22nd 2025

Charlestown – Bohola – Castlebar – Ballyhean – Partry – Tuar Mhic Éadaigh – An Mám - Clifden

After stage one’s finish in county Roscommon, the race will transfer to Charlestown in County Mayo to start what is shaping up to be an epic stage towards Clifden, County Galway. This will be the first stage end in Clifden since 2003.

An extremely tough day awaits the riders with 5 categorised climbs along the route to Clifden. The early part of the stage will pass through Bohola and Foxford before taking on the ‘Windy Gap’ category one climb just after 50Km.

After a fast descent the race will pass through Castlebar and Partry before hitting three climbs within 12KM, including a category three in Tuar Mhic Éadaigh and 2 x category two climbs at Maumtrasna and Cill Dubh.

A final category 3 climb awaits between An Mám and Maam Cross before the final 40Km through beautiful Connemara on wide open roads. This is sure to be a testing and telling day in the race for overall honours.

Stage 3: Cong, Co Mayo to Miltown Malbay, Co Clare (Distance: 163.8KM)
Friday, May 23rd 2025

Cong – Headford – Corofin – Kinvara – Bell Harbour – Ballyvaughan – Lisdoonvarna – Liscannor – Lahinch – Miltown Malbay

Stage 3 will set off from the famous Celtic Cross in the centre of the beautiful village of Cong, County Mayo on route to Milltown Malbay on the coast of Clare. The first 115KM of the stage will be on mostly flat and rolling roads passing through Headford, Athenry, Craughwell and Kinvara before tackling the first categorised climb of the day which is the famous Corkscrew after 120KM of racing. The final 40 kilometres are along the Wild Atlantic Way with further climbs at Doonagare Cross and the Cliffs of Moher.

The final 23Km run into Miltown Malbay along the West Clare coastline promises to be exciting as the hustling for the yellow jersey continues. Another tough day in the saddle is guaranteed.

Stage 4: Ennis, County Clare to Mountrath, County Laois (Distance: 128.1Km)
Saturday, May 24 th , 2025

Ennis – Clooney – Bodyke – Tuamgraney – Scarriff – Mountshannon – Whitegate – Portumna – Riverstown – Kinnity - Mountrath

Stage four will depart Ennis on route to a first ever Stage finish in Mountrath, County Laois.
 
The riders will make their way along the west side of The Shannon River and Lough Derg facing 2 x category three climbs. Once the race crosses The Shannon River in Portumna, it is heading for Birr which has produced several Rás Tailteann highlights in recent years.

The final section of the stage is sure to create some fireworks when the category one Wolftrap Climb in the Sliabh Blooms Mountains is crested by the riders with just 14Km remaining to the finish in Mountrath. This climb could create a real last-ditch opportunity for the general classifications riders to jostle in the race for the coveted yellow jersey.

Stage 5: Kildare Town, County Kildare to Bective, County Meath (Distance: 142.8Km)
Sunday, May 25th 2025

Kildare Town – Milltown – Kilmeague – Allenwood – Derrinturn – Kilshanroe – Johnstown Bridge – Longwood – Dunsany – Bective (Distance: 142.8Km including four laps of finishing circuit)

A mostly flat final stage awaits the riders on route to the ultimate finish in Bective. There is just one category three climb on the final day which is the Quarry Hill as the race leaves Dunsany. The riders will then enter the finishing circuit where it could well be a day for the sprinters. With a slightly changed circuit for 2025, four laps of the 12Km loop will bring the curtain down on Rás Tailteann 2025 while will see the new champion of the George Plant Trophy being crowned.

The last hour of racing around the confines of Bective Stud promises to be a special spectacle for spectators and riders alike.

2023 Rás Tailteann champion, Dillon Corkery (Team Ireland) attacks during the final stage of Rás Tailteann 2024 in Bective - photo courtesy of Lorraine O’Sullivan

The route map is courtesy of Emmet Roche