New motoring event to celebrate the history of rallying in Killarney and the Beara Peninsula
The Killarney Classic Tour, a new two-day heritage motoring event celebrating the rich rally history of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula, has been announced for 26–27 June 2026.
Headquartered at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney, home to the Rally of the Lakes since 1980, the event will reunite historic rally cars, past competitors, and motoring enthusiasts for a journey through some of Ireland’s most iconic rally stages.
For decades, the roads around Killarney, Kenmare, and the Beara Peninsula have been central to Irish motorsport history. From the early days of the Circuit of Ireland and the Circuit of Munster through to the enduring legacy of the Rally of the Lakes, these stages have shaped generations of drivers and machines. The Killarney Classic Tour offers an opportunity to experience those roads once more, at a pace that allows participants to truly appreciate them.
The event welcomes a wide range of vintage and historic cars, with a particular focus on rally cars and period-inspired recreations that reflect the eras of the Circuit of Ireland, Circuit of Munster, and the early Rally of the Lakes.
The format is deliberately non-competitive, with cars leaving at timed intervals on Saturday morning. The day includes a scheduled lunch stop in Castletownbere before returning to Killarney that evening.
The event will conclude with a gala dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel, featuring guest speakers and an evening of stories and shared memories from decades of rallying.
Founded by Rally Royalty
The Killarney Classic Tour is the result of a long-standing friendship between two lifelong figures in Irish rallying – Mike Marshall and Micheal O’Mahoney.
A founding member of the Rally of the Lakes and Clerk of the Course for over two decades, Mike Marshall has an unrivalled knowledge of these roads. From Moll’s Gap to the Beara Peninsula, he played a central role in shaping these stages For the Classic Tour, his approach is deliberately different, the same roads, experienced at a more relaxed pace.
Alongside him, Mike O’Mahoney has been a constant presence in the sport as both a supporter and enthusiast. Through his role with Rentokil, he has supported many of the sport’s leading drivers and events, while also owning and running a number of historic rally cars himself.
Together, they had a simple vision, to bring the rally community back onto these roads and allow them to be enjoyed the way they were always meant to be.
Quotes
— Mike Marshall, Co-Founder
“These are proper rally roads. They’ve been used for decades and haven’t lost their character. It’s a chance to drive them again in a completely different way.”
— Micheal O’Mahoney, Co-Founder
“This event is about bringing people back together – the cars, the stories, and the friendships that have always been part of rallying. It’s a chance to step away from competition and simply enjoy these roads.
Registrations Now Open
For further information and to register, visit http://www.KillarneyClassicTour.ie
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