The An Post Rás got underway on Sunday in Dunboyne
Five-year-old Sean Ryan from Ashbourne in Meath before the start of the opening stageThe field leaving DunboyneThe peloton passing through Dunlavin in WicklowThe field whizz past St Patrick's Church of Ireland in Brannockstown in KildarePictured watching the race are, from left, Cillian Moran, Fionn Moran, Megan Redmond and Sarah Shepard all from Clonegal in Carlow
The riders racing towards the finish line in CarlowEventual winner Francesco Reda of Team Idea heads Tirol Cycling's Lukas Postlberger in a breakawayFrancesco Reda celebrates after crossing the line and securing the opening stageFrancesco Reda leads home Lukas PostlbergerMiss An Post Rás Cora Brennan with winner Francesco Reda, second-placed Lukas Postlberger, left, and third-placed Robert Partridge, rightFrancesco Reda will wear the yellow jersey on stage two