Driving from Sligo to Belfast doesn't sound all that exciting. Google Maps reckons it'll take about two hours and 45 minutes. Hang on though - how about chucking Google Maps out the window (not literally - phones are expensive and that's littering...) and taking the scenic route? Wait; also, all of that plus a bunch of the coolest classic cars you'll ever see.
Cruising through countryside
Well then, you've basically just come up with the Cannonball Retro Road Trip, or at least you would have done if the organisers of that very event hadn't done it before you. Those self-same organisers claim that "Cruising through the countryside in a classic sports car taking in magnificent mountain views and rugged coastlines, aromas of late summer infusing the crisp air, retro sounds blasting from the stereo and the authentic driving experience of a perfect classic - it's a bucket list adventure," and frankly, we can't disagree with a word of that.
Raising money for HOPE Foundation
Better still, it's all for charity. Cannonball Ireland and Retro Cannonball will raise funds for The HOPE Foundation, an Irish Charity doing incredible work with the street children of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in India. HOPE funds and operates over 60 projects including 11 child protection homes, a hospital, an ambulance, counselling, food and nutrition, education, healthcare and the restoration of childhoods to children.
"We are welcoming cars from the golden era of the 60s,70s, 80s and early 90s to take in stunning drives and many famous Irish landmarks," said Cannonball founder, Alan Bannon. "Classic cars not only appeal to car lovers, but also to lovers of engineering, design, art and history. They retain an incurable romance and that is the reason why people do, and always will, love classic cars."
The whole thing is being sponsored by BRÚ Brewery, the independent brewery and hospitality company that *checks notes* apparently provides the best of Irish food, drinks and experiences. "BRÚ Brewery is delighted to be sponsoring the third Retro Cannonball raising funds for The HOPE Foundation, supporting children in Kolkata. BRÚ is a wholly owned Irish brewery with a large range of IPAs and speciality beers including Ireland's only gluten-free lager available countrywide," said Ed Dunne, BRÚ Brewery proprietor.
Ferraris, Lamborghinis, a Thunderbird...
The event takes place from the 13th to the 14th of August, and if you want in, better get your classic car skates on - registration is now open. Cars already confirmed to be taking part include a Ferrari Dino GTS, a Lamborghini Diablo, a Jaguar E-Type, a gorgeous Ferrari 328 GTS, some beautiful Mercedes-Benz SL classics, a Lancia Beta, a BMW 635CSi, a Porsche 911 Carrera and a Porsche 911 Targa, an MG Midget, a Ford Escort Cosworth, a beautiful Chevrolet Corvette, a classic Volkswagen Beetle, a Ford Thunderbird and many more.
The route will start in Sligo town centre, and loop and curl its way around the north coast, taking in such spots as Ballina, Malin Head, the Giant's Causeway, Antrim town and 'The Dark Hedges' - which are actually some gnarly looking trees on the Bregagh Road near Ballymoney, but they've been used in Game of Thrones so everyone comes over a bit Gandalf around them - before finishing at the Grand Central Hotel in Belfast.
Go to cannonball.ie for more.