See all Motoring AdviceWith the Covid situation at the start of the year still touch-and-go, the Irish Jaguar and Daimler Club took the decision to cancel the Irish Classic and Vintage Motor Show in the grounds of Terenure College in Dublin. The Terenure show is usually one of the classic scene’s highlights of the year, so its cancellation was a disappointment for many. Those looking to get out and see some great classic and modern cars in the flesh, however, are still spoiled for choice, with tons of great events still going ahead around the country between now and the end of the year. Here are some of the best:
July 1-3
Gordon Bennett Reliability Trials
Location: Athy, Co. Kildare
Run by the Historic Racing Car Association of Ireland, the first Gordon Bennett reliability trial, a new event, is based around Athy and will see all types of pre-1940 cars retracing the route of the original 1903 Gordon Bennett Cup race. Cars will be gathered in the square in Athy not far from the Shackleton Museum.
July 3
Classic Fest 2022
Location: Galway Racecourse
Adults: €10; under-18s: €5
Irish Vintage Scene’s Classic Fest is back and will see tons of pre-2000 classic cars, tractors, steam engines and bikes taking over the racecourse at Ballybrit.
July 17
Old School, New School
Location: St. Mel’s College, Longford
Adults: €15; under-12s: free
Great show featuring some of the best modified, tuned, Japanese and retro cars the Midlands has to offer. All are welcome though the focus is on slightly more modern metal.
July 21
RIAC’s Picnic in the Park
Location: Marlay Park, Dublin
Unusually, this one’s on a Thursday, running from 3pm to 7.30pm. This year, the Royal Irish Automobile Club’s event gives a special nod to sixty years of the MGB. All proceeds go towards the LauraLynn’s children’s hospice.
August 7
Baltinglass Classic Show and Run
Location: Main St., Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow
Entries: €20
West Wicklow Classic & Vintage Vehicle Club events are always well-attended with a good showing of cars. Registrations begin from 11pm with the road run starting at 2pm. All proceeds going to local causes.
August 13-14
Mondello Historic Festival
Mondello Park, Co. Kildare
Another Historic Racing Car Association event, the Mondello Historic Festival is a great chance to see classic and vintage racing cars doing what they do best, getting driven just as hard as they did back in the day. This year, the event has scheduled a grid of over 70 pre-war cars with many travelling from the UK and Europe to attend.
August 20
“Crank Up” & Classic Car static show
Location: Drumachose Primary School, Limavady, Co. Derry
Entries: £10
Shows up north are usually great fun as there’s always an amazingly varied collection of cars. Gates for this static show in Limavady open from 10am, with pre-1990 cars and bikes welcome.
August 28
Kilkenny Motor Club Annual Show
Location: St. James’s Park, Kilkenny
Always a good turnout and often with an appearance by a bevy of Eastern Bloc classics.
September 11
Blessington Vintage Car & Motorcycle Club Autumn Rally
Location: Russborough House, Blessington, Co. Wicklow
This one should be worth attending for the spectacular setting of Russborough House alone.
October 2
Gerard Murphy Memorial Classic Show and Run
Location: Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
After being cancelled last year, the Gerard Murphy Memorial Run is back, having quietly grown into one of the biggest events on the classic calendar over the past few years. The event will be held in aid of Pieta House.