A major sporting event, which was set to become a major tourist attraction in Co Donegal, has been cancelled because of an objection from a local business.
The first Letterkenny Urban Downhill race had been organised by the Donegal Mountain Biking Club for May 7th next.
The club had already gone to great lengths to stage what was hoped to become a major event on the Donegal sporting calendar.
The club had met with council officials, engineers and councillors from Letterkenny Town Council who all backed the event.
However one business along the proposed route of the event had objected to the event.
A statement from the Donegal Mountain Biking Club said the cancellation of the race was “hugely disappointing.”
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those that assisted during the planning of this event as well as to thank potential competitors, locals and the wider community for their support of the race.
“The Club would like to extend particular thanks to Councilors and Engineers within Letterkenny Town Council for their fantastic assistance in trying to make this event happen. Regrettably however, due to a lack of co-operation from a local business along the proposed route, the organising committee have had no choice but to cancel the event.
“Unfortunately, all the insurance policies, liability exoneration certificates, risk assessments, traffic plans, tourism revenue and professional planning cannot persuade everyone to the benefits of such an event.
The cancellation of the race is hugely disappointing, from the perspective of being Ireland’s first Urban downhill race as well as the loss of tourism revenue to Letterkenny and the County of Donegal.
“There was interest from across Ireland and the UK from people wishing to attend this event and in these tough economic times it would have brought a helpful boost to the town of Letterkenny,” it said.
The Club added that it remains committed to developing all aspects of mountain biking and promoting the County itself through the sport.
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