EVENT: Cannonball is coming back to Edenderry!

Get ready, folks: Cannonball is coming back to Edenderry!

The action-packed supercar spectacle is set to roll on September 6 to September 8 from Johnstown Estate in Enfield, through Counties Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Galway, Leitrim and finishes in Trim, County Meath.

A spokesperson for the event said: "Cannonball, fuelled by milesPLUS from Circle K, is the largest organised road trip in Europe featuring the finest cars on the planet from the awe-inspiring power of Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren to the grace and elegance of Porsche, Aston Martin, and Maserati.

"The brand-new Lamborghini Revoulto will be unveiled in Ireland for the very first time and over 200,000 spectators are expected with free family festivals organised from coast to coast."

They also explained that Fine Gael councillor Noel Cribben and the Edenderry Festival Committee have been in talks with Alan Bannon, founder of Cannonball, since January to bring the event back.

"They are delighted to now confirm that we will see the supercar spectacle again as it does a full loop around the town as part of the official start of the event on Friday Morning September 6, and Edenderry will, once again, be named as a host town for the event," the spokesperson said: "The cars will begin to arrive and will be on display at Johnstown Estate in Enfield from Thursday evening March 5th from around 6pm.

"The cars will leave at approximately 10.30am on Friday, September 6, heading for Edenderry and regroup to make a spectacular convoy throught he town at approx 11am."

Local brothers JJ (11) and Christian Doyle (10) from Ballyfore pictured at Cannonball the last time it came to Edenderry in 2019. Photograph by Andres Poveda.

The spokesperson further said: "Organisers are working on the exact route that the event will take but the plan is to come around the back of the town via the new road and then roll slowly through JKL Street so the drivers can put on a show and spectators will get to see the cars.

"The best viewing points will be at the Canal Harbour round about and all the way up JKL Street to the court house.

"Cannonball has already raised €1,638,432 for Irish Children’s Charities and brings a unique and inimitable electric atmosphere to host towns all over the country making it a widely anticipated free family event for spectators.

"This year, the official charity of Cannonball is the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation, an Irish children’s charity that funds and delivers in-home nursing care, respite support for children from birth to six years of age with severe learning disability associated with complex medical need.

"Typically, these children may be tube fed, oxygen dependent, may not sleep, take seizures, need a lot of medication and require around-the-clock care. Understandably, their parents can be exhausted and need a break, which is where Jack and Jill comes in.

"Jack and Jill’s service operates seven days a week, with no means test, no red tape and no waiting list.

"Another key part of the service is end-of-life-care for all children up to the age six, irrespective of diagnosis, empowering parents to take their child home to die at this most difficult time.

"290 children and their families from Offaly, Kildare and Meath have been helped over the years by Jack and Jill and there are currently 416 children and their families under the care of The Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation right across the country. 

"The charity’s mission is to empower parents to care for their child at home, because there is no care like home care for a Jack and Jill child."

And that's not all: thee spokesperson also said that the event will offer spectators 'a unique opportunity to witness the world's most prestigious and sought-after supercars up close, and enjoy the unique festival atmosphere that Cannonball is renowned for.'

They continued: "The Brazilian Dancers, giant screens, music and fanfare brings all the glamour of carnival and live DJs, bands and festivals in host towns around the country get the party started.

"The Cannonballers and celebrities in colourful costumes add to the melee.

"From Spiderman to Star Wars, Catwoman to Wonder Woman, cheerleaders to Charlie’s Angels, Batman, The Joker and more; it is a totally unique free family day out.  

"This year, organisers are also calling on spectators to dress up in fancy dress with prizes for best dressed." 

Social enterprise co-operative with 30 employees in County Kildare announces name change

The Group CEO of FRS Co-Op said that it is ‘an exciting time’ for the group

Making Cents: Flight delays: Know your rights!

Be aware when jetting off this summer

BACKGROUND 

Cannonball was founded by Kildare businessman Alan Bannon and the benefit to the host towns for this event is estimated at €2,567,000 per year.

Cannonball is fuelled by milesPLUS from Circle K as the main headline Sponsor for 2024 and all official fuel stops on the route where spectators can see the cars will be announced in the coming days.  

The Tour Sponsor this year is Apache Pizza and Cannonball's official partners include: Karl Goodwin Motors, AB Signs, HONE Energy and Majestic Ireland Road Trips.

For further information, visit cannonball.ie.

Former Miss World Rosanna Davison at Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa Enniskerry, County Wicklow during the announcement that The Jack and Jill Childrens Foundation is the official charity partner for Cannonball 2024, taking place from September 6 to September 8, 2024 at Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa Enniskerry, County. Wicklow, There are 416 families across Ireland currently under the care of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, which will be the charity beneficiary of the Cannonball supercar event. Photograph by Gareth Chaney.