Triathlon
What: Triathlone
Where: Athlone, Co. Westmeath
When: 5 July
Why: Triathlon is the country’s coolest and fastest-growing sport at the moment and if you want to experience a very well-run event in a great location with thousands of others, check this out.
Whether it’s your first triathlon or you’ve been doing them for years you’re guaranteed a challenge here as there’s a host of top professionals coming from abroad to take part.
There’s the half-Iron distance, the Sprint distance and, for beginners, the Try-a-Tri option.
The latter is a 200m swim, 15km bike ride and a 2.4km run… so nothing that’ll tax you too much before the after-party.
Adventure racing
What: Race2Glory
Where: Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo
When: 11 July
Why: Simply put, it’s a multi-sport adventure race involving cycling, running and a river run.
There are two events; the full one (40k) and the ‘sprint’ version which is half that.
Both courses are divided into three routes. Stages one and two of the ‘sprint’ course are shorter versions of the opening two stages of the full events.
It sounds like a bit of a laugh and, if this video from last year is anything to go by, it should be a bit of craic!
Cycling
What: An Post Meath Heritage Cycle Tour
Where: Meath
When: 26 July
Why: Cycling is booming in the country at the moment and the An Post Cycle Series has gone from strength to strength in recent years.
The Meath event in a month’s time is the third of five in the series, with events in Waterford and Cork to come.
But in terms of participant numbers, Meath usually ranks the highest.
The location is one reason for this, but the option of riding four routes over some testing climbs and undulating roads makes it even more appealing.