 The original "Tour of Ireland" was a cycling stage race run in Ireland between 1953 and 1984, and organised by the internationally-recognised governing body, Cumann Rothaíochta na hÉireann (CRE), later reformed as the Federation of Irish Cyclists.In 1953 the Irish Government initiated An Tóstal, a cultural festival, and asked all Irish sporting bodies to participate.As part of this the CRE ran a four-day Tour of Ireland.