Archive TV footage discovered of Tullamore Road Races Festival 45 years ago

TV footage of a road race that drew more than 1,000 participants onto the streets of Tullamore 45 years ago has been shared by the RTE Archives.

Reporter Brendan O'Reilly came to Offaly's county town to record a package on the Tullamore Road Races Festival for 'Sports Scene', and his 7-minute report aired on January 15, 1978.

Mr O'Reilly spoke to Paddy Larkin, secretary of the Tullamore Harriers Athletic Club, about the club's work to develop its new facilities.

The footage then moves to the road race itself, which attracted 1,144 athletes and was won by Ray Treacy, brother of future Olympic medallist John Treacy.

You can watch the RTE report HERE.