By Andrew Pollock, Editor
With the weather forecast looking cautiously optimistic for the June Bank Holiday this weekend, here’s a rundown on just some of the events taking place around the country.
Undoubtedly the largest event taking place in the south of the country this weekend is the Innishannon Steam & Vintage Rally taking place beside the Co. Cork village on Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd. Every year the 38-acre site reverberates to one of the very largest turnouts of steam engines in the country, as well as working displays, music, crafts and more vintage and classic vehicles than you can shake a stick at. With local rugby star Jack Crowley officially opening the event, it’s shaping up to be another blockbuster, all in aid of the Irish Cancer Society as always. For more information, see www.isvrally.com.
Another well-known event taking place across the weekend is the Gordon Bennett Classic Car Run, which takes participants around the route that hosted the infamous 1903 race. From Friday the 31st to Monday the 3rd, a packed schedule of festivities and driving awaits classic drivers hailing from all over Ireland and the UK, as they travel around Counties Kildare, Laois and Carlow, in celebration of ‘the race that saved motorsport’; for more information, see www.gordonbennettclassic.ie.
In the north west, the South Leitrim West Cavan Vintage Tractor Club will once again host their popular show and family day at St. Felim’s in Ballinamore in Co. Letrim on Sunday the 2nd of June, which is open to pre-1994 cars, tractors and stationary engines. Proceeds are in aid of Irish Cancer Support nurses and local defibrillator groups, and more details can be obtained from Joe on 086 8180191 or Cian on 086 0616422.
Also in the north of the country, Jack & Bertie’s Fundraising Car Show will take place on Saturday the 1st at Armagh Palace Demesne on Friary Road in Armagh (BT60 4EN), and is open to all makes and models of cars and motorbikes – prepaid entries can be made on the Eventbrite page, and more details can be obtained by calling 0044 (0)75 25337554.
Moving southwards, the Longford Vintage Club will hold their very successful annual vintage show and family fun day at Longford Barracks on Sunday the 2nd, which always attracts a fascinating turnout of vehicles from the surrounding counties; call 087 1167630 for more information.
The gateway to the sunny southeast, Dungarvan in Co. Waterford will see the Yesteryear Motor Club host their annual Walton Park by the Sea event in Walton Park in the seaside town on Sunday the 2nd, with overnight parking available with advance notice; call Noel on 087 9700720 for details.
The Kingdom of Kerry will see another popular event take place on Sunday the 2nd when the Roughty Valley Vintage Club hold their annual event in Kilgarvan village, with plenty to see and do; details are available from 086 8928769.
And finally, rounding off the busy bank holiday, the regular cars & coffee meet will take place on Monday the 3rd at the Tesco Extra Car Park in Gorey, Co. Wexford from 10am to 1pm, hosted by Gorey Motor Club; see their social media pages for more information.
Wherever you go this weekend, be safe on the road, and we hope you have an enjoyable bank holiday.