If you love seeing supercars out in the wild, and supporting a worthy cause while you're at it, then you'll want to keep an eye out for The Bear Run 74. The annual charity drive is back this May Bank Holiday weekend and promises a head-turning mix of high-performance cars and heartfelt fundraising. Now in its fourth year, The Bear Run 74 is a three-day rally featuring some of the world's most iconic and exotic vehicles, travelling across Ireland and Northern Ireland in aid of BUMBLEance, the country's only dedicated children's ambulance service.
What's the route?
The event kicks off at 4pm on Friday, May 2, from Railway Karting in Cookstown. From there, the convoy heads to Ballybofey, Ballina, and Maam Cross, before arriving in Galway on Saturday. On Sunday, May 4, the group travels to Tullamore and Banbridge, finishing up at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast around 5pm. Along the way, the cars will stop at key fundraising locations where the public can meet the team behind BUMBLEance, donate to the cause, and check out the supercars up close.
What's BUMBLEance?
BUMBLEance provides free, safe and comfortable transport for seriously ill children across all 32 counties of Ireland. The service is especially important for families living far from Dublin, where all major children's hospitals are based. Last year alone, BUMBLEance clocked up over 600,000 kilometres, covering 2,389 medical journeys which is a 21 per cent jump from the year before. But demand continues to rise. In 2024, some 348 requests for transport couldn't be fulfilled, simply due to a lack of resources. That's why fundraisers like The Bear Run 74 are so important.
Why is it called 'The Bear Run 74'?
The rally was founded by Keith Gamble in memory of his father, who passed away from cancer at age 74. Since it began, the event has raised over €153,000 for various Irish charities. With this year's effort focused on BUMBLEance, the team hopes to raise even more.
What kind of cars can you expect to see?
It's a petrolhead's dream line-up. Previous years have included everything from the Audi R8 V10 plus to the Ferrari 488, Lamborghini Aventador and McLaren 720S. Whether you're into sleek Italian styling or brutal British horsepower, there's something for every car fan.
Want to support or join the fun?
You can find the full route and more details over at thebearrun74.com. If you'd like to learn more about BUMBLEance and the incredible work they do, head to bumbleance.com. And if you can't make it out to one of the stops, you can still chip in with a donation here: bit.ly/BearRun74-2025.