Leading ferry company Stena Line will support the introduction of the new Stage Winner’s jersey to be worn by the each day on this year’s An Post Rás na mBan.

Press release from Stena:

STENA LINE SADDLES UP FOR WHEELY GOOD BIKE EVENT

Leading ferry company Stena Line has lent its support to the international cycling race An Post Rás na mBan – Ireland’s premier stage race for women.

Stena Line, which operates routes from Britain to Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Rosslare and Belfast, is delighted to be continuing its support of the five-day, six stage event which runs from September 11 – 15 in County Clare, as Diane Poole OBE, Stena Line’s Head of PR and Communications explains:  “This event is a wonderful sporting occasion but it’s also a chance for visiting competitors to enjoy the beauty of our country and our world-famous hospitality.

“We hope to welcome many competitors, and their supporters, on board our ships where they will enjoy first class facilities and, crucially, our no baggage restrictions allowing riders to transport their bikes safely, cost effectively and totally hassle-free across the Irish Sea”, said Diane.

The race will be contested by teams from the USA, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, France, and the UK as well as all the top riders from Ireland and competitors from the burgeoning local racing scene.

Commenting on Stena Line’s support of the Stage Winner’s Jersey, Rás na mBan Race Director, Valerie Considine, said:  “The event has switched to a new base in Ennis, County Clare this year and looks set to be the biggest yet.

“Stena Line has supported this event since I got involved eight years ago and I’m thrilled that they will be helping us to further develop it,” says Considine. “Many of our competitors travel to Ireland across the Irish Sea using Stena Line’s ferry services and there’s set to be even more traffic this year as the event continues to grow in popularity.”

The winner of each day’s individual stage will wear the distinctive Stena Line Stage Winner’s jersey, highlighting their achievement on the road as they continue on to the next stage of the cycle race.

Diane Poole continued:  “On behalf of Stena Line, I would like to wish all of the riders the best of luck and we look forward to welcoming them aboard our ships very soon.”

For further information on Stena Line logo on to www.stenaline.ie or www.stenaline.co.uk.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: For further information, please contact Michael McCrory of Duffy Rafferty Communications on + 44 28 9073 0880


Michael Byrne from Stena Line met Melanie Späth, the newly crowned, two-time National Road Racing Champion of Ireland, who picked up her second consecutive title at the National Championships in Carlingford at the end of June, to celebrate the partnership.

Michael Byrne from Stena Line met with some of the riders at Dun Laoghaire Port recently – (from left) Rachael Kaye-Mellor of Joe Daly Cycles, Charlotte McDonald from Orwell Wheelers, race organiser, Valerie Considine and Melanie Späth, the newly crowned two-time National Road Racing Champion of Ireland.