At the 2017 Cycling Ireland AGM the appointment of Dave Smyth to the Board of Directors was announced.


The Naas Cycling Club member holds both a degree in marketing and management, and specialises in marketing related roles, working with businesses on developing strategies with a strong emphasis on growth. In 2016, after 12 years working with a global advertising agency, he joined a thriving creative events agency as a partner, working with clients across the globe.

Dave has been a member of Cycling Ireland since 1987, and has competed at some level every year. The former national squad member spent most of his years competing in A1 races, accumulating wins in the old Classic League, and was on the final podium in the Rás as part of the winning team in 2000. He also competed internationally in both the Isle of Man and France.

Passionate about the sport of cycling, his main aim is to grow the reputation of Cycling Ireland, and attract new members and sponsors and is looking forward to helping to create the brand and proposition around Cycling Ireland.


“I am privileged to be asked to join the Board of Cycling Ireland. After 32 years of enjoying everything the sport has given me, I feel now is the right time for me to try to give something back. I hope that my combination of business experience with my experience and love for the sport can help to make an impact on the commercial agenda.”


“As a sport, the benefits of cycling are widely known and recognised. But as a hobby, less so,” Smyth believes. “Having been around the sport for so long, I have seen and experienced the vast array of ways that cycling can enhance a life - from physical health, mental health, being a social life, mindfulness and wellbeing, and your ability to deal with the stresses and demands of modern life. This is cycling's un-tapped potential.”


Ciaran McKenna, President of Cycling Ireland, believes Dave Smyth is a strong addition to the board, saying “We identified that leisure and marketing were areas that Cycling Ireland needed to focus on. With the appointments of Brendan Tallon and Dave Smyth, we can now focus and improve on these important areas in the future. Dave will bring valuable marketing and cycling expertise which will be a huge asset to the organisation.”