Next Saturday in Cork, petrolheads have the chance to see some of the world’s most gorgeous supercars with the Cannonball 2021 extravaganza set to roll into Rebel County.
Dubbed the ultimate Irish road trip, Cannonball is a three-day event that sees a spectacular convoy of the world’s best cars drive around the country to raise money for charity.
Dozens of shiny Ford GTs, McLarens, Lamborginis, Ferraris Aston Martins, Porches, Bentleys and Rolls Royces will pave their way through Ireland starting from Dublin’s Malahide Castle on Friday morning.
The convoy will travel through the Midlands before reaching Cork in the afternoon, through Fermoy and Midleton, and into Cork City for an overnight pit stop.
On Saturday morning the convoy makes its merry way through Ballincollig, Macroom and Ballyvourney before crossing the county line into The Kingdom.
It will drive through Kenmare and Tralee before heading to Galway City for another overnight pit stop, with the final leg of the trip to Belfast on Sunday.
While the run is loosely based on the spirit of the 1980s cult film series “Cannonball Run,” in which supercars took on a chaotic race across the United States, its founder Alan Bannon said the Irish version was an overall quieter affair.
“It’s not a race, it’s an organized road trip – and it’s absolutely legal and exaggerated,” he grinned.
“But it’s still a wild and wonderful adventure with plenty of opportunities to get the pulse of the participants and spectators alike,” he added.
Of course, Cannonball has a more serious side, as the event has raised more than € 1.1 million since it first appeared more than a decade ago with the HOPE Foundation, founded by Cork woman Maureen Forrest, this year’s official charity .
The foundation works with street children in the Indian city of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) and runs projects such as a hospital, an ambulance, schools, advice and the provision of food and nutrition.
Cannonball 2021 aims to raise more than € 100,000 for the foundation through donations from their own community as well as viewers and fans who can donate online by following the link on www.hopefoundation.ie.
On behalf of the foundation, Maureen thanked Forrest Cannonball for “supporting our important work”.
“We really appreciate it. Your generous donations will enable us to continue funding and running our more than 60 projects across Calcutta and West Bengal, ”said Ms. Forrest.
“These include our 11 shelters, which offer vulnerable children rescued from dangerous situations a home away from home; a loving, caring and safe environment in which children can learn and grow into independent, successful and happy young adults, ”she added.
All car enthusiasts and Cannonball fans who wish to see the cars along the route are asked to follow the advice of the Cannonball COVID-19 marshals and maintain social distance.
More information about the run can be found at www.cannonball.ie.
