THE ISLAND OF Ireland intends to pursue a joint North-South bid to host the opening stages of a future Tour de France, ideally in either 2026 or 2027.
Minister Catherine Martin TD and Minister Gordon Lyons MLA have today submitted an expression of interest in the formal bidding process to the Tour organisers, as a statement from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media confirmed this evening.
Officials in both Departments will now collaborate on the development of a detailed bid to host the event.
The agreement comes following engagement between Minister Martin and Minister Lyons, most recently last week in Belfast. The Ministers discussed the potential joint bid, and they agreed that such an event would have significant tourism, sports and wider benefits for the island of Ireland.
The Republic of Ireland hosted the start of the Tour de France in 1998, when it began in Dublin. Competitors then raced through the Wicklow Gap, and Stage Three ended in Cork.
The race will start in Bilbao, Spain, next year.
Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, said: “Hosting the world’s greatest cycle race would be an exciting opportunity for the island of Ireland. I was delighted to meet Minister Lyons again during my recent trip to Belfast and to agree to express a joint interest in hosting three full stages for Le Grand Départ of the Tour de France, ideally in 2026 or 2027.
“Our shared experience in hosting major sports events, our co-operative approach in marketing the entire island of Ireland as a tourism destination, and the wonderful scenery and céad míle fáilte that awaits visitors to Ireland could all combine to create an amazing all-island event. This collaborative process has my full support and I will engage with colleagues across Government on this in the coming weeks.”
Lyons, Minister for the Economy, added: “Securing the opening stages of the Tour de France would be a fantastic opportunity for Northern Ireland to feature on the world stage and add to the growing list of major sporting events that have come here in recent years.
“People will fondly remember the success of the Giro d’Italia ‘Big Start’ in 2014, and I am confident that together we would be able to successfully host the Grand Depart. Major events such as this not only bring about huge economic benefits but give us a tremendous opportunity to showcase everything that is great about Northern Ireland.”
Excellent player for Ireland, should never have been offered or accepted the Ireland job.
@Ferg: I completely disconnect the two Stans now to be honest, took a while though. He was a hero of mine at Liverpool before Souness shifted him and was a star for Villa. He deserves recognition for being a legend on the field!
Great player, what a international and club career.
Legend of irish football.
The burnt head on him in USA 94.
Legend of Irish football,,,sums up Irish football!!
@Paul Owens: what do you mean by that? Staunton was a fabulous footballer.
@Paul Owens: obviously a die hard fan who knows his football.
If you can’t tell, I’m being sarcastic.
@Alan Roddy: How will I put this,,,he was dire,,,and I do know my football my standards are v v high,, sorry most Irish footballers are not great by international standards,,it’s v obvious,,going on for years and can’t see it changing for a long time,,,sorry if u don’t like it,,I know it’s hard,,ah well
@Paul Owens: don’t feed the troll people.
@Kevin O Sullivan: Fair enough kevin
@Paul Owens: What are you talking about? He played in a Liverpool side that was runners up and then league title winners in 89 and 90, he was 20 years old and absolutely excellent at left back, especially while Hansen was out in 89. He was only sold to Villa due to the European rule at the time and when Souness was butchering the side. At Villa he was excellent. A top, top player for club and country. Don’t rewrite history.
@Local Ore: scored a great goal against United in 93
@Mattress Dick: His hat trick in the cup for Liverpool was iconic! It wasn’t a major cup or a top team but it was amazing for a left back to do it! What a left peg he had, we talk about Andy Robertson now but Stan was that level and sometimes above. Even when he came back he was class all the way!
@Paul Owens: like the way you think
@Alan Roddy: Well Alan its time to book a trip to specksavers
@Paul Owens: proper end of a bell you are, go away and try follow a different sport. If you think stan was anything other that a top footballer you don’t have a clue…
One of the best left pegs that ever graced the pitch.gave it his all out on the pitch
Delaney’s first victim…..
“Would you let him drive the train to Cork Bill?” Eamon Dunphy to the late great Bill O’Herlihy on Stans inexperience for the job. I cannot find this clip anywhere but it has always stuck in my memory.
One of the greats of football.claass act
Great player.Hopeless and clueless manager
Jaysis, where did the S*n find a journalist to send dressed as Miss Piggy? Are we even sure it was a journalist?