Let’s get ready for Giro d’Italia

When the Giro d’Italia international cycle race goes through Dundalk on 11 May it will be the biggest sporting event this country has seen in decades.

Up to 250 million people in 171 countries will see the race go through our town so it is vital that we all get behind this event and show the world just how good we are.

Dundalk will be truly on the international map.

The town will also play a major role in a historic cross-border joint police escort operation, so this is not just sport, it is also going to be a historic occasion.

This is the world’s second biggest cycling race, and the only sprint stage in the Republic, will take place in Dundalk.

The Giro’s choice of an Irish grande partenza, which involves Belfast, Armagh, Dundalk and Dublin, is an opportunity for all the community and business groups to come together. In the Tour de France the race leader wears the famous yellow jersey. In Giro d’Italia it is pink. So Dundalk is going pink.

Willie Duffy chairman Dundalk Tidy Towns Association has said no less than 94 resident associations have already committed themselves to organising bunting and floral displays and anything that will add to the sporting and festive atmosphere.

The town council are also getting behind the decor for the day. Town clerk, Mr Frank Pentony, has said that the council’s horticulturist staff “have already walked the route organising the colour scheme and planting”. So let’s support them and put the town on the world stage.