Ballina native Rachel Nolan is reported to have just become the first woman to win Ireland’s phenomenal TransAtlanticWay cycling event.

Rachel Nolan training in her native Mayo.

The TransAtlanticWay is a 2500 km, one stage, self-supported road bike ride between Derry and Cork via the Wild Atlantic Way coastal tourist trail.
This year’s event got underway on Thursday, September 3 last and this morning Rachel is reported to not only be the first Irish woman to ever finish the event but also the first woman to win it outright.
Rachel, who is a daughter of Willie Nolan and Marjorie Morrow-Nolan from the Quay area of Ballina is a seasoned ultra-distance endurance and adventure racer.
Having spent several years travelling and working abroad she recently returned home to Ballina to establish her own business, Rachel’s Irish Adventures, offering bespoke tours to visitors interested in discovering, experiencing and tasting the best of what Ireland has to offer as a holiday destination.
Rachel has had a busy year, having also recently been a part of the Irish team that took part in the grueling non-stop, 11 day, 700 km televised event known as The World’s Toughest Race: Eco Challenge in Fiji, featuring renowned TV presenter and adventurer Bear Grylls.