At the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday were front from left, Lisa Foley (Rally secretary), Alexandria Kiely, Tim Clifford (Clerk of the course) and Conor Deasy (Assess Ireland CEO) . Back from left are Dan Keane (Deputy CoC), Michael O’Shaughnessy, Rebekah Kiely and Ronan O’Sullivan (Elite Signs), Diarmuid Cronin, Thomas Randles (Killarney & District Motor Club Chairman),Dylan McCarthy, , Cllr Niall O’Callaghan, Brian Glover (BG Motors), Siobhan O’Shaughnessy, Denis McCarthy, Ivan Hurley, Joe McCarthy, Mike Woods and Jadwiga Surmiak (Gleneagle Hotel). Picture: Eamonn Keogh
At the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday were from left, Conor Deasy (Assess Ireland CEO) , Thomas Randles (Killarney & District Motor Club Chairman) and Tim Clifford (Clerk of the course). Picture: Eamonn Keogh
At the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday were Elaine Doonan, Denis Doolan and Caroline Neenan (Autism Friendly Killarney) with Tim Clifford (Clerk of the course). Picture: Eamonn Keogh
At the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday were front from left, Tim Clifford (Clerk of the course), Lisa Foley (Rally secretary) and Brian Glover (BG Motors). Back from left are Dan Keane (Deputy CoC), Joe and Dylan McCarthy and Kian O’Connor. Picture: Eamonn KeoghEntries have been announced for the Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes.
At the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday were Tim Clifford (Clerk of the course) and Conor Deasy (Assess Ireland CEO). Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Eric, Chloe and Luke Nott at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Ted O’Gorman, Colman Hegarty (Irish Tarmac Rally Championship) and John Buttimer (Southern 4 Rally Championship) at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Cllr Niall O’Callaghan speaking at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
John Buttimer (Southern 4 Rally Championship) speaking at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Colman Hegarty (Irish Tarmac Rally Championship) speaking at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Sean Moriarty MC, speaking at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
A crowd scene at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn KeoghIvan Hurley reports
Caroline Neenan (Autism Friendly Killarney) speaking at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Thomas Randles (Killarney & District Motor Club Chairman) speaking at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Mike Woods (Gleneagle Hotel) speaking at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Ronan O’Sullivan (Elite Signs) speaking at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Conor Deasy (Assess Ireland CEO) speaking at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Tim Clifford (Clerk of the course) speaking at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday . Picture: Eamonn Keogh
At the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday were front from left, Ronan O’Sullivan (Elite Signs), Jadwiga Surmiak (Gleneagle Hotel), Tim Clifford (Clerk of the course), Conor Deasy (Assess Ireland CEO) and Brian Glover (BG Motors). Second row from left are Rebekah Kiely (Elite Signs), Cllr Niall O’Callaghan, Lisa Foley (Rally secretary), Dan Keane (Deputy CoC), Mike Woods (Gleneagle Hotel) and Thomas Randles (Killarney & District Motor Club Chairman). Back from left are Dermot Healy, Joe and Dylan McCarthy, Mike and Noreen Marshall. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
At the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday were from left, Mike Woods (Gleneagle Hotel), Brian Glover (BG Motors), Tim Clifford (Clerk of the course), Conor Deasy (Assess Ireland CEO) and Ronan O’Sullivan (Elite Signs). Picture: Eamonn Keogh2026 Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes was officially launched yesterday (Sunday) in the rally headquarters, The Gleneagle Hotel. A large crowd of rally fans, competitors and organisers gathered in the Kingdom, with the entry list reveal gathering massive interest ahead of the event, which takes place from May 1 to 3.
Clerk of the Course Tim Clifford revealed the 170-strong entry list on the night, which includes a big name in rallying circles, as Max McRae will compete in Killarney for the first time. The 21-year-old nephew of Colin McRae will compete in a Skoda Fabia Rally 2, 21 years to the weekend since his uncle lit up the Killarney roads.
Leading out the crews to Moll’s Gap on Saturday morning will be the Derry and Killarney pairing of Callum Devine and Noel O’Sullivan. The duo are looking to secure an unprecedented five Rally of the Lakes crowns in a row, so there will be plenty on the line heading into the loop of 14 stages. Former Killarney winner Josh Moffett seems back to his winning ways in 2026. The championship leader will be second on the road alongside his Limerick co-driver Andy Hayes, with Kilkenny man Eddie Doherty, winner of last year’s Circuit of Kerry Rally, still looking for his first Irish Tarmac Rally Championship round win, starting from third. Killarney co-driver Shane Buckley was the winner of the last round at the Circuit of Ireland Rally, and he starts fourth beside Donegal driver David Kelly.
In all, 17 RC2 drivers make up the top end of the entry, including the three Boyle family members Declan, Michael and Matthew, former modified winner Kevin Eves, Ryan Loughran, Cork’s Daniel Cronin and Sam Touzel, who makes the trip to Killarney from the Channel Islands.
There is a strong Kerry feel to the modified section. Multiple champion Rob Duggan will face a battle from fellow Killarney man Conor Murphy. Kenmare’s Vincent O’Shea will be the leading Darrian on the road, while the likes of Rodney Wilton, Brian Lavelle and Cian Walsh might be looking to upset the local party.
Twelve cars will battle out for historic honours. Donegal man John O’Donnell will lead the crews out with local drivers like Fergus O’Meara, Mark Falvey and Paul Ahern eager to stamp their local knowledge on the event.
The juniors will compete on Saturday, a unique twist in their Killarney itinerary. Cork’s Darragh Walsh will be first on the road. The sole all-Kerry crew is Conor Horgan and Aaron O’Halloran in their Citroen Saxo, while Darragh Lynch navigates for Dylan Sheehan of Cork.
Class 25 will bring history back to life on the famous Killarney roads, with former WRC cars running competitively against each other for the first time in their post-competition days in Killarney. Highlights here include Austin McHale in the Ford Focus and Stephen Greaney in the Toyota Corolla. It will be a competition not to be missed for rally fans making the journey to Killarney for the weekend.
The rally kicks off on Friday, May 1, with a ceremonial start celebration in the heart of Killarney town from 7 pm. The crews then tackle eight stages on Saturday, with a run up Moll’s Gap before moving east for stages in the Rathmore area, with the mid-day service halts in the former Eurovision host venue, The Green Glens Arena in Millstreet.
Sunday consists of six classic stages: Moll’s Gap, Ballaghbeama and a new extended version of Shanera run twice with service in between in Liebherr.
Speaking at the launch, 2026 Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes Clerk of the Course Tim Clifford said, “Planning has gone really well, we are looking forward to the event now. We appreciate the work that has been put in by a huge team of volunteers; without them, the event couldn’t happen. I’m very happy with the route, it’s a good mix of old & new, as well as some stages not run in over 20 years. Keeping the event localised and compact is really important to the competitors and spectators alike. The entry is really strong, so you can expect a great battle up and down the list. I hope everyone has a great weekend. As always, the message is keep the race in its place, spectate responsibly and obey what the marshals tell you; they are there for your safety.”
Rally programmes will be in local shops from Wednesday (April 22).
Ronan O’Sullivan and Rebekah Kiely (Elite Signs) with Tim Clifford (Clerk of the course) at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday
Diarmuid Cronin, Ted O’Gorman, Lisa Foley (Rally secretary), Tim Clifford and Denis McCarthy at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Killarney rally drivers and brothers Charlie and John Hickey at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Sheila Griffin, Tim and Elsie Clifford and Tim Clifford (Clerk of the course) at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Paul Browne, Diarmuid Cronin, Colman Hegarty (Irish Tarmac Rally Championship), Gavin O’Grady and Liam Cronin at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Liam Cronin, John Falvey, Thomas Randles, Laura Healy and Anthony O’Connor at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
James, Cian and Abina Kelliher at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
John White, M O’Sullivan, Brian Glover (BG Motors), Kian O’Connor and Charlie Hickey at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Daniel, Denis and Denise McCarthy and Stephen McSweeney at the launch of the Assess Ireland International Rally of the Lakes at The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney on Sunday. Picture: Eamonn KeoghIvan Hurley spoke with Clerk of the Course Tim Clifford
Oran England and Darragh Mullen secured another podium finish on Saturday, marking their first loose surface podium of the 2026 campaign at the EARS Motorsport Moonraker Forest Rally. The result ensures that England holds second place in the Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series (MIJRS) after three rounds.
Having already proven themselves as class winners on tarmac with victories in Mayo and Birr earlier this year, this is the crew’s best loose surface result of the current season. It marks a clear improvement from their fourth-place finish at the Yeats Ridge Forest Rally in Sligo back in February. While the pair secured podium finishes on gravel during 2025, this first gravel trophy of 2026 maintains their strong second-place position in the dual-surface MIJRS title race.
The Virginia, County Cavan driver and his Westmeath-based Sligo co-driver brought their Peugeot Ireland backed Peugeot 208 Rally4 through six demanding stages in the Dungarvan forests. The event served as the second round of the 2026 Trailer Parts & Spares Irish Forest Rally Championship and the third round for the junior series.
The morning loop proved to be a significant test of car setup. “Every gravel event is a learning curve, trying to figure out the car and how it reacts to different surfaces,” England said. “It was a real bumpy rally, and the Peugeot was well able for the bumps. I made a few mistakes, running wide in places and missing some braking points, but we know there is more time to be gained. We’re moving forward and getting more used to the car on gravel, so we’re happy with the weekend.”
Co-driver Darragh Mullen, a member of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, provided the essential experience from the notes to guide the Rally4 machine through the high-speed sections.
“The Moonraker was a great day and we were happy to take third in class,” Mullen said. “It was good to be right in the mix from the opening stage. The work we’ve put in behind the scenes since the last forestry round is starting to pay off and the programme is heading in the right direction.”
The podium finish keeps England well in the hunt for MIJRS honours this year. The championship now moves to Carlow in mid-May, marking a return to England’s preferred tarmac surface. The Carlow Rally doubles as a round of the Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship, where England and Mullen also lead their category in the national title race.
Caption: Darragh Mullen and Oran England at the finish of the EARS Motorsport Moonraker Rally.
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