Northern Ireland gets ready for Giro Fever

With just over three weeks until the Giro d’Italia gets underway, towns and cities across Northern Ireland are gearing up to welcome hundreds of thousands of spectators and as part of the celebrations, there is an action packed programme of festivals and events taking place to celebrate the world’s second largest cycle race.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th May 2014, 11:02 BST
The Causeway Coastal Route will host Stage 2 of the Giro d'Italia.The Causeway Coastal Route will host Stage 2 of the Giro d'Italia.
The Causeway Coastal Route will host Stage 2 of the Giro d'Italia.

Northern Ireland will host the first three stages of the Giro d’Italia, from May 9 – 11, promising three days of excitement, drama and thrills from Belfast, through the magnificent Causeway Coastal Route and Glens and the historic city of Armagh.

Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) PR Officer Marie-Therese O’Neill said: “The Team Presentation on May 8 in the grounds of Belfast City Hall will be a chance to see your idols up close along with a range of entertainment. The ‘Caravane’ is one spectacle not to miss; this colourful race convoy of branded cars will tour the route before the race arrives, bringing with it a real wave of excitement along the way.

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“On top of all this, towns and cities across Northern Ireland are planning a host of events and festivals to make sure visitors are entertained before watching cycling’s elite battle it out as they race along our stunning landscapes and through our historic cities,” Marie-Therese added.

NITB has put together some of the action packed highlights that people visiting Northern Ireland for the Giro d’Italia can look forward to.

Here’s what is happening on the Causeway Coastal Route:

Cushendall

The Cushendall Funday from 12pm on May 10 will have bouncy castles on the Green between the RNLI Station and the Boat Club, kids fun cycle events and Giro Brunch at the Lifeboat car park, a Yacht Race in Red Bay and a host of festival entertainment in Cushendall Village from 2pm – 7pm including Irish music, Irish dancing, a food fest and pink street party.

Ballycastle

There will be a Ballycastle Funday on May 10 from 11am onwards with a big screen showing the Giro d’Italia at Ballycastle Seafront, family fun with balloon modelling, face painting, walkabout characters a climbing wall, an ABBA Tribute Band and a DJ providing music and live entertainment. That evening there will be live music at The Diamond.

Ballymoney

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Enjoy A taste of Italy in Ballymoney Town Centre from May 2 – 10 when the town will be decked out in pink with art, music, coupled with some family fun and Italian themed menus in local cafes and restaurants.

Portstewart

The Sunset Port to Port Pedal on May 9 is a family cycling event with an Italian theme. Enjoy a three mile pink fancy dress cycle ride along the stunning North Coast, leaving Harbour Hill in Portstewart at 7pm to West Bay Portrush. The ride out from Harbour Hill Portstewart will take the dedicated Sustrans route to West Bay Portrush where cyclist can break to enjoy an evening of pedal powered festivities including; Trialstar cycle stunt show, live music with ‘Rightly On’, meet and greet with Mario & Luigi, pedal powered smoothie makers, music makers and Spin Art, face painting and much more.

Related topics:Northern IrelandBelfast