Next year's Ironman in Youghal called off after two deaths at 2023 event
Aerial shots from the start of the swim at the Youghal Ironman 2023. Picture: Tri Coach Bjorn
Ironman’s decision to pull the plug on its Ireland event in Cork next year has been described as a “devastating economic blow” that could cost the region up to €10m in lost revenue.
The decision follows the deaths of two athletes during this year’s event in Youghal when Ivan Chittenden from Toronto in Canada, who was in his 60s, and Brendan Wall, 40s, who was originally from Co Meath, but living in England, died in separate medical emergencies during the swimming section, held in heavy seas, last August.
Ironman told athletes on Tuesday that the 2024 event will not be held, describing the break as “a hiatus” and saying the “pause would allow for further healing”.
In a statement, it said: “Cork county and Youghal has 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.” It said they were “thankful” for the support of the event sponsors, Cork County Council, and said the plan to “work collectively towards bringing back the event in the strongest way possible” in 2025 and beyond.
The three-day festival welcomed over 10,000 athletes, spectators, staff, suppliers, and volunteers to the county, bringing an estimated economic boost of some €10m annually.
It is understood that Ironman contacted the local authority last week to say it was pulling the plug on the 2024 event.
Padraig Hennessy, vice president of Youghal Chamber of Tourism and Development, and who runs Clancy’s bar and restaurant on the Front Strand, said it was devastating news for the town, with a spending boost up to six months before race weekend.
“We have no industry in the town which now depends heavily on tourism. The cancellation of this event will have a massive financial impact on the town,” he said.
“What many people don’t realise is that a lot of athletes come to the town regularly from as early as January and February for training weekends, to familiarise themselves with the town and the course, and they stay locally, and spend in the local bars, restaurants, cafes and petrol stations.
“And as the event nears, they bring their wives, husbands, partners and in some cases their families, and they all spend locally. And then of course, there is the weekend itself. And now that is all gone for next year.” He said the council now needs to fast-track the development of the Midleton to Youghal greenway, and get it open by next summer, to help attract and secure some additional tourism spending to the region.
The council noted Ironman’s decision and pointed out that it was “solely a decision for Ironman”.
“The council remains committed to continuing its relationship with Ironman,” it said.
“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.” But hotelier John Gately, the managing director of the historic Commodore Hotel in Cobh, said the loss of next year’s Ironman event will be felt across the region.
“It was a big date on our calendar and delivered a major boost for hotels and hospitality in general, across the region, with additional demand for hotel rooms being felt from the city, eastwards right along the coast along to Youghal and into Waterford,” he said.
