6 September 2019
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
President Donald Trump (well an impersonator really!) arrives at Ballymaloe House as the Cannonball Ireland convoy descended on the popular East Cork venue. Proudly listed as the second destination on a nine-stop whirlwind tour of Ireland, Ballymaloe House welcomed 190 super cars and their drivers onto their grounds today (Friday 6th September) as part of the Cannonball Ireland event. The unique road trip, which initially began in Ireland 10 years ago, brings together a fraternity of supercar drivers, who will this year spend three days (6th-8th September) driving a scenic trail around Ireland, with all proceeds raised through the event going to the Irish Cancer Society.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Cannonball, the action-packed supercar spectacle, is in East Cork September 6th – 8th. The group arrived at Ballymaloe around 2pm on Friday September 6th, with proceeds to the Irish Cancer Society. Top mark cars including McLaren, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Porsche, Maserati, Rolls Royce and Bentley will blaze a trail accross the country and it is the largest organised road trip in Europe. Cannonball, fuelled by milesPlus from Circle K, will start at Malahide in Dublin this year on September 6th at 10.30 am and then blaze a trail through Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Mayo, Sligo, Meath and Offaly. It has also just been announced that Love Island Star Tom Walker and Corrie St Star Ryan Thomas will be joining the convoy
Spectators can get up close and personal with 190 of the finest cars on the planet and enjoy the unique festival atmosphere that Cannonball is renowned for. Cannonball has always been a star-studded affair and celebrities over the years include Boyzone’s Shane Lynch who is a firm devotee and even has the logo tattooed on his leg and Superstar Bruno Mars also joined him one year for a stage of Cannonball. Other household names included former Miss World Rosanna Davison and husband Wes Quirke, Glenda Gilson, Rachel Allen, Roz Purcell, Nadia Forde, Ryan Tubridy, Mick Galway and Dirty Sanchez. Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny and former President Mary Robinson have both dropped the famous checkered flag. The notorious NYPD, German Polizei, The Pope, President Trump and colourful Cannonballers in crazy costumes add to the melee. From Spiderman to Star Wars, Cat Woman to Wonder Woman, Cheerleaders to Charlie’s Angels, Batman, The Joker and more, it is a totally unique free family day out.
Twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf at Ballymaloe House
Pic: Brian Lougheed
From left: Gillian Clare Orrett, Lorrayne Paiva McConville and Simone Reeves (Viva Brazil Samba Show) at Ballymaloe House
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Jumping for joy – Irish Cancer volunteer collectors Sandra McCormack and Emily Baron at Ballymaloe House
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Paul and Pauline Lawrende from England at Ballymaloe House
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Rachel Allen and Helen Cuddigan (of Ballymaloe House) with Batman and Spiderman at Ballymaloe House
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Brothers Josh (left) and Lucca Allen (a Formula 4 Racing Driver) at Ballymaloe House as the Cannonball Ireland convoy descended on the popular East Cork venue.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Rachel Allen with her son Lucca (a Formula 4 driver)
at Ballymaloe House
Pic: Brian Lougheed
Cannonball is be fuelled by milesPlus from Circle K as the main headline Sponsor for 2019. Tour Sponsors include Manhattan Popcorn, Asystec and Hone. Cannonball official partners include Bonavox, AB Signs, Keanes Jewellers, Ballyseedy, Duke Energy Drinks, Karl Goodwin Motors, Krystle, BMW and Windsor Motors
