21/08/2026
Rás Tailteann is saddened to learn of the passing of Cormac MacLynn, a former Rás stage winner who represented Antrim in the race.
Cormac was part of the Rás during its formative years and wrote his own memorable chapter in the history of the race in 1959.
On Saturday, 8 August 1959, Cormac lined up for Stage 7 of the Rás, a 161-kilometre journey from Fermoy to Waterford. In an account of that day which Cormac later shared with the Rás, he recalled that things had not started particularly well for himself and his Antrim teammates.
By the end of the day, however, Cormac had produced one of the great moments of his cycling career.
He arrived into Waterford at the head of the race to claim a memorable Rás stage victory, finishing ahead of some of the outstanding riders of that era. Behind him were 1958 Rás winner Mick Murphy in second, Tom Whelan in third, Ronnie Williams in fourth, Pat O’Callaghan in fifth, Paddy Flanagan in sixth and Christy Dunne in seventh.
It was a victory Cormac never forgot. Many years later, he put his memories of that August day into words for the Rás archives under the fitting title “A Memorable Day at the Rás Tailteann 1959.”
Perhaps the most fitting indication of just how much that day meant to Cormac was that the glass vase he won for his stage victory still held pride of place on his mantelpiece many decades later.
More than six decades on, Cormac’s name remains part of the history of Ireland’s great race – Cormac MacLynn, Antrim: Rás Tailteann stage winner, 1959.
We extend our sincere condolences to Cormac’s family, friends and all who knew him at this sad time.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Information & stage winning picture courtesy of Eddie Dawson/Rastailteann.com
