The Mealagh Valley Ring was held on 13 February 2011 @ 12 noon.  

After a successful first year in 2010, in which 240 people participated, the beautiful Mealagh Valley  played host once again to a challenging but very enjoyable 10 miles road race.





Bookmark this page for details of next year's event!

To see the full results from this year's MVR, simply click here

For an account of this year's event, simply click here

Located outside the pretty seaside town of Bantry, the Mealagh Valley Ring course takes runners on an undulating route - well to be honest undulating slopes, hills and some steep bits! However, the wonderful meandering Valley and beautiful views will take your mind off the challenging run. You will see the best of West Cork scenery and some other oddities; keep your eyes peeled for the old airplane fuselage that serves as a house for one of the Valley’s residents.

To quote one participant   “…….. This course had just about everything except flat sections!” 

But don’t be put off; the run attracts elite athletes, fun runners and walkers alike.

Race Director Geraldine O’Sulllivan said: 

“We encourage all to participate in the ‘Ring’ run. From walkers to new runners who are part of community initiatives such as Fit 4 Life and the Bayside Runners Club, to elite runners who use it as a challenging training run. We want to encourage all to get out and get fitter. It is a fun run and a great way of seeing our beautiful West Cork Scenery.”

To add to the fantastic scenery there is a great atmosphere on the run and we must congratulate the enthusiastic residents of the Mealagh Valley for this. They take part in the run, set up water stations, keep their cars off the  road, help with marshalling and organisation, cheer on  runners enthusiastically, throw open the doors of their village hall and reward participants with homemade  tea and cake after the race. Keep that in mind at mile 7 as it really helps that last push to the finish line! So thanks to all the residents of the Mealagh Valley for making the Mealagh Valley Ring one of the best 10 mile runs in Ireland.

The Mealagh Valley Ring donated all monies raised to Build4Life and the Mealagh Valley National School.  If you wish to run for charity we would ask you to raise sponsorship for Build4Life. 

We have given local directions to get to the turning for road to the MVR itself, if you click on the blue marker showing where that turning is located, you can also get driving directions both to and from there for any location.

Mealagh Valley Ring – start line directions

There is an interactive map of the MVR route at the end of this page

From Bantry town follow road to Glengarriff passing Casey’s Petrol station.

Take the next right, past Casey’s at Donemark Bridge.
Continue straight on this road for over 4 miles noting a school sign and a signpost for Kealkill to the left and Dunmanway straight on.
Follow the Dunmanway road.

From Ballylickey come to Bantry Golf Club and take next left at Donemark Bridge and follow road as above

Start area is about 10 minutes from Donemark Bridge

Road will have race signs on it with stewards to direct you to appointed parking area.

Allow 15 minutes to drive from Bantry Town centre to the Mealagh Valley Ring Parking. Please note that if you are bringing a car, the car park is a few minutes from the race start line.

Bantry is:

• 1 hour 30mins from Cork
• 1 hour 20 minutes from Killarney
• 1 hours from Kenmare
• 2 hours from Mallow
• 1 hour 10 minutes from Macroom
• 4 hours from Dublin