Erin Go Bra!

For the past 2 years, I've been itching to go on the Centuries Tour of Ireland. It encompasses 9 centuries of Irish history, as well as 9 centuries of bike riding around the beautiful Irish coastline. (And knowing Granny, perhaps 9 centuries of Guinness to boot).

Now there's another reasons to head to the Emerald Isle during late Summer/early Fall, as professional cycling has returned with the 5 Stage, Tour of Ireland (August 22-26, 2007).


Stage 1 - August 22: Kilkenny - Cork (St. Patrick's Hill), 160 km
Stage 2 - August 23: Clonakilty - Killarney, 167 km
Stage 3 - August 24: Tralee - Ennis, 190 km
Stage 4 - August 25: Galway - Galway, 212 km
Stage 5 - August 26: Athlone - Dublin, 135 km

The most surprising, and maybe that's not the proper word, about the promotion of the upcoming event was the inclusion of Irish model, Jenny Lee Masterson. Not that that's a bad thing mind you (as you can see below). After 15 years of not having a professional cycling race in the country, maybe the organizers felt they needed a "hook" to bring out the old laddies and lasses? Maybe she was there merely to model the outfit to be worn by the TOI podium girls? Again, not a bad thing.

Regardless, I guess it never ceases to amaze me that the advertising axiom of "sex sells," almost never seems to fail. As if having Irish cycling legend, Sean Kelly, present wasn't enough!

On second thought, do we even need Sean Kelly in the photo? Erin Go Bra (yes, that's a play on words) INDEED!

Photo ©: Gerry McManus/www.gerrymcmanus.co.uk