New ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ Festival to Coincide with Race Around Ireland Start
Race Around Ireland are delighted to announce that the inaugural Salmon of Knowledge Festival in Trim, County Meath will coincide with the start of the 9th edition of Ireland’s toughest sporting challenge on August 27th.
The ‘Salmon of Knowledge Festival’, celebrating one of Ireland’s most famous legends, takes place on Water Heritage Day on the last day of Heritage Week in the historic Meath town. A series of activities including an adventure race will take place during the day with the start of Race Around Ireland forming the centrepiece event.
The Race Around Ireland draws many of the world’s top ultra-cyclists to Ireland for a race which begins on August 27th and continues non-stop over 2,150km around the coastline of Ireland and finishes only when the final competitor makes it back to County Meath inside the five day time limit.
It is a race that is as simple as it is brutal: only the most talented and committed riders who have trained their bodies to race at speed while enduring super human levels of sleep deprivation will prevail.
There are solo competitors and teams of two-, four- and eight- riders competing in the event. The star solo riders, who are racing for pride and points in the UMCA World Cup, will be on their bikes for up to 22 hours a day for five full days on some of the hilliest and roughest terrain in world ultra-cycling.
Trim has played host to the event for many years and this year, with the introduction of the Salmon of Knowledge Festival, there will be renewed focus on the what, for many, is the single toughest sports event on the island.
Speaking about the association with the Salmon of Knowledge Festival, Race Around Ireland Founder Alan Heary said:
“We’re really looking forward to returning to Trim were we’ve always been accorded a lovely welcome. It’s a vibrant and beautiful town with a wonderful heritage and the 12th Century Trim Castle serves as the perfect back drop to send our riders on their way into a challenge that in some ways is a throwback to the arduous endeavours of Norman times.”
Trim Tourism Network Public Relations Officer, David Gorey added:
“The Start of the Race Around Ireland always brings great energy to Trim and this year we’re delighted it will feature on the day of our new Salmon of Knowledge Festival.
It’s set to be a great day with a packed programme of events and activities including our own Boyne Adventure Race using the River Boyne through Trim. With traditional music and dance, drama performances, stalls from Trim and Boyne Valley craftspeople, and entertainment throughout the day, we look forward to showing off our vibrant town and all it has to offer to an international audience.
The competitors in Race Around Ireland remain a real inspiration to all of us and we look forward to showcasing them during our new festival and sending them off in the very best County Meath style.”
- Boyne adventure race: starting at 9am – 5k run, 1k Kayak, 20k cycle finishing before the start of Race Around Ireland.
- Celebration of the start of Race Around Ireland.
- A production & reenactment of the catching of the Salmon of Knowledge by Trim Musical Society & Trim Drama Society.
- The Salmon of Knowledge Experience by Gerry Meade
- Crowning of the Goddess, Boann ( Queen of the Boyne ) – In the weeks before the festival we will run a Goddess of the Boyne Pagent, the overall winner will be announced at the final on August 19th.( venue TBC ) and crowned at the festival.
- Kids novelty races, activities & amusements.
- Cultural, traditional music and dance.
- Stalls from Trim & Boyne Valley Regionsshowcasing their crafts.
- Evening and night entertainment throughout Trim’s venues.
For further information about the festival:
Facebook: SalmonOfKnowledgeFestivalTrim2017
Twitter: @SalmonOfKFest