Ben McKenna (cyclist)

Ben McKenna (1939 – 26 March 1992)[1] was an Irish cyclist. He won the Rás Tailteann in 1959.[2][3]

Ben McKenna
Personal information
NicknameGentle Ben
Born1939
Stamullen, County Meath, Ireland
Died(1992-03-26)March 26, 1992 (age 52)
Templemore, County Tipperary, Ireland
Team information
DisciplineRoad bicycle racing
RoleRider
Amateur team
1955–77St. Patrick's East Meath
Major wins
Rás Tailteann, 1959
Tour of Ulster, 1960

Early life

McKenna was born at Cottage Hill, Stamullen in 1939; his family later moved to Julianstown.[4]

Career

McKenna was a founding member of St. Patrick's East Meath cycling club in 1955.

He first competed in the Rás Tailteann in 1956, and won the competition in 1959.[5] He finished second in 1961 and 1964.

McKenna also won the Rás Laighean in 1958,[6] the Mick Beggan Memorial in 1959 and the Tour of Ulster in 1960.[7] He retired from cycling in 1977.

Personal and later life

McKenna was Chief Commissaire for the 1983 Rás.[8] He also had a role in the reunification of the politically divided Irish cycling world, which culminated in the creation of Cycling Ireland in 1987.

McKenna married Grace Bosonnet and had six children; he died in 1992 aged just 52.

Legacy

The Ben McKenna Memorial is an annual cycling race held in Balbriggan.[9][10][11]

McKenna was inducted into the Cycling Ireland Hall of Fame in 2017.[12]

References
  1. "Plaque unveiled to honour the achievements of local cyclist". Independent.ie.
  2. "Meath Chronicle - Meath - the spiritual home of cycling". Meath Chronicle.
  3. Daly, Tom (27 January 2019). The Rás: The Story of Ireland's Unique Bike Race. Collins Press. ISBN 9781848891487 – via Google Books.
  4. Muircheartaigh, Micheál Ó (31 May 2007). From Borroloola to Mangerton Mountain: Travels and Stories from Ireland's Most Beloved Broadcaster. Penguin UK. ISBN 9780141911649 – via Google Books.
  5. "1959 Ben McKenna The Hard Way To Win The Rás". www.rastailteann.com.
  6. The Irish Times (Tuesday, May 27, 1958), page 7.
  7. Archives, Cycling. "Ben McKenna". www.cyclingarchives.com.
  8. "Garda Cycling Club". www.facebook.com.
  9. "Cassidy takes Ben McKenna Memorial". 8 April 2001 – via www.rte.ie. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. "Ben McKenna - Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club". www.orwellwheelers.org.
  11. "ARMSTRONG TAKES BEN McKENNA MEMORIAL CUP". www.irishcycling.com.
  12. Cubes, Website design and website development by Blue. "Cycling Ireland - Hall of fame". www.cyclingireland.ie.
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