Opposition To North Clare Cycle Could See It Cancelled After This Year

The organisers of a controversial North Clare cycle say local opposition could see this year become the last year of the event.

This Saturday will see around 3,000 cyclists take part in the Stephen Roche Atlantic Challenge, which starts and finishes in Ennistymon.

However, this number has caused concern about the impact on local business and traffic.

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The Stephen Roche Atlantic Challenge takes in much of North Clare, including the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, the Wild Atlantic Way coast and the Corkscrew Hill.

This weekend, 3,000 cyclists from 18 countries are set to descend on Ennistymon, where the races starts and ends.

Last year’s event prompted two local Councillors to call for a cap of 1,000 to be put on the number of participants in such events, amongst them Fianna Fáil’s Richard Nagle.

Speaking yesterday, he said there were concerns ahead of this year’s cycle, but they have now been largely put to rest.

However, it seems controversy is continuing to brew.

The organisers of the cycle posted on social media to announce that because of the ongoing disagreements, the 2018 Atlantic Challenge will be the last.

One of the those, Padraic Murphy, today said plans have been put in place and he’s confident that there will be no major issues this Saturday.

He feels they’re being pushed out of North Clare.

Meanwhile, Clare’s Senator Martin Conway is calling for the government to examine the regulation of mass participation sporting events.

Ennistymon Fine Gael representative Conway has made his call in the Seanad today, two days before 3,000 cyclists are set to take part in the Atlantic Challenge event that will start and finish in the town.

The Senator told the Upper House that last year’s event damaged business locally – organisers say they have a comprehensive plan to deal with the influx of visitors this time around.

Senator Conway is disappointed that the wishes of local representatives to cut the numbers of the event haven’t been heeded.