Cork TD says 'vast majority' in Youghal want Ironman to return in 2025

IRONMAN has scrapped plans for its 2024 event in Cork, but the event that has been described as “a huge part of the fabric of Youghal” is set to return in 2025.

Cork County Council said today that the decision not to proceed with the event next year was “solely a decision for Ironman”.

The full and half Ironman scheduled for East Cork next year will “take a hiatus in 2024”, a statement posted today on the Ironman Ireland Facebook page said.

“Cork County and the town of Youghal have become a much-loved home for Ironman in Ireland, and the Irish triathlon community is important to us. This pause will allow for further healing while we spend the next year assessing the best path forward to deliver an exceptional weekend of racing once again for our athletes in one of the most passionate host communities in the world,” the statement said.

Two participants in this year's event in Youghal - Brendan Wall and Ivan Chittenden - died while participating in the event. Mr Wall, who lived in the UK but was originally from Meath, and Mr Chittenden, from Toronto in Canada, died in separate incidents during the swim portion of the 70.3km event.

Ironman also thanked Cork County Council for its continued support. “We appreciate their continued partnership and commitment as we work collectively under our host agreement towards bringing back the event in the strongest way possible in 2025 and beyond,” the body said.

“Athletes who currently hold a deferral or credits for next year’s Ironman Ireland, Cork or Ironman 70.3 Ireland, Cork have been contacted about the options available to them.” 

Cork County Council stated that Cork county and the town of Youghal have become “a much-loved home for Ironman in Ireland, and the Irish triathlon community”. The county council said it “remains committed” to continuing its relationship with Ironman.

“In recognition of the significant tourism and economic importance that the event has to the region, Cork County Council has agreed to host this event again in 2025, 2026 and 2027,” the local authority added.

Commenting in the wake of the announcement today, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork East, James O’Connor, said that “above all else” he is “very conscious that there are two families who are grieving” in the wake of the fatalities at this year’s event.

“We’re conscious that two people lost their lives and we must allow the inquests to take place,” he continued.

Speaking in relation to future Ironman events in East Cork, Mr O’Connor described Ironman as “a huge part of the fabric of Youghal and the economy in Youghal” and said a return of the event in the future is something the “vast majority” of people in the town would like to see.

“I think on foot of today’s news, they [Ironman] must make sure that 2025 is a successful event and it’s run safely,” he added.