L'Etape cycle contributed over €2m to economy of Carrick-on-Suir and its hinterland

The L’Etape Ireland Tour de France cycle event that attracted over 1,280 cyclists to Carrick-on-Suir last month contributed just over €2m to the local economy, a municipal district meeting of councillors heard.

Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Administrator Marie Cox reported on the positive impact the cycle event brought to the town and its hinterland at the October meeting of the district’s councillors.

She outlined the cycle that started and finished in Carrick-on-Suir on Sunday, September 27 attracted 1,283 participants and was watched by an estimated 1,800 spectators. The event resulted in the booking of an estimated 1,260 bed nights in tourist accommodation in the town and locality.

“It’s estimated there was a €550,000 direct economic benefit to the area with the indirect economic impact and costed media impact estimated at €1.5m,” Ms Cox said.

She pointed out that 4% of the participants were international visitors and less than 20% of the participants were from counties Tipperary and Waterford,

The remaining 76% of the cyclists were from other counties in Ireland.

Indeed, the cycle that comprised 100km and 150km routes taking in parts of county Waterford as well as south Tipperary, drew cyclists from all but one county on the island of Ireland.

Ms Cox also reported that the organisers, Elite Events Management, donated €8,000 to local clubs for stewarding on the day.
She said the organisers received very positive feedback from participants with 92% expressing interest in taking part in the event again next year.

Carrick MD Cathaoirleach Cllr David Dunne, who started the cycle, said the atmosphere and buzz around Carrick-on-Suir on the day of the L’Etape was great. He specially mentioned the children’s cycle in the town as a highlight of the weekend.

The Sinn Féin councillor said the amount of work that went into staging the event was phenomenal and praised the organisers for running it so well.

District Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Fitzgerald said the L’Etape event was a lovely day in Carrick with everyone in good spirits and it would be great to see the event being hosted in the town two years in a row.