Mayor’s tributes to staff and others who made Giro a success

Larne Mayor Maureen Morrow has paid tribute to staff and volunteers who helped ensure the local Giro d’Italia celebrations ran smoothly.
Setting off on the Giro D'Italia cycle run at the Promenade. INLT 19-455-PRSetting off on the Giro D'Italia cycle run at the Promenade. INLT 19-455-PR
Setting off on the Giro D'Italia cycle run at the Promenade. INLT 19-455-PR

The borough was a sea of pink on Saturday as the world-famous cycle race whizzed along the Antrim Coast Road, taking in Carnlough, Glenarm, Ballygally and Larne, before heading on to Glynn and Magheramorne on its way back to Belfast.

And Councillor Morrow has congratulated all those who put many hours of their time and effort into organising and coordinating all the community events that accompanied the Giro.

She said: “Council staff, with the help of many volunteers, ensured that the main event ran smoothly as it passed through the borough on Saturday.

“The Antrim Coast Road received tremendous coverage and compliments from the television crew in the helicopter as they followed the race.

“Carnlough looked great, with horses racing along the beach, the Giro tractor spectacular with a Giro ‘Freddie’ made up of tractors, pink sheep and round bails.

“A wonderful ‘Freddie’ was also placed on the Black Rock leading into Glenarm, with its pink cycling shirt on the hillside, and beautiful floral displays highlighted with pink bicycles.

“Ballygally was also festooned in pink and partied in the rain as the bikes passed through.

“Larne Market Yard was the hub of activity with entertainment, music, a market and live coverage of the race on a big screen keeping everyone up to date on the progress of the riders.

“In Glynn, the Rugby Club and residents had a wealth of activities for young and old alike to enjoy.

“This has been a wonderful world wide promotion for our borough- which looked spectacular even on a wet Saturday.

“So many visitors from all over the world were travelling in camper vans and staying locally. In many cases visitors spent a few days in the area prior to the event.

“I was thrilled to hear so many positive comments on the beauty of the countryside, how friendly and helpful the local people were, and how much they had enjoyed their stay,” Councillor Morrow concluded.

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