
Car Shows Near Me This Weekend: Verified Events in Ireland
There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with the rumble of a vintage engine on a sunny weekend. Here’s how to find verified events fast, from the Donegal Rally Weekend Car Show on June 20, 2026, to the Wells House Classic Car Show on Father’s Day.
Next upcoming car show: June 20, 2026 (Donegal Rally Weekend Car Show) · Vintage tax eligibility age: 30 years · Frequency of Cars and Coffee Cork: Second Sunday monthly
Quick snapshot
- Donegal Rally Weekend Car Show on June 20, 2026 (Motormeets.ie – Irish car events directory)
- Wells House Classic Car Show on June 21, 2026 (Discover Ireland – national tourism authority)
- Exact start and end times for most events (Eventbrite – event ticketing platform)
- Whether Bohernabreena Classic Car Show is June 14 or July 19, 2026 (Eventbrite – event ticketing platform vs Classic & Exotic Cars – specialty auto website)
- Gordon Bennett Classic Car Rally: May 29 – June 1, 2026 (Gordon Bennett Classic Car Rally – official event site)
- Carole Nash Historic Festival: May 9–10, 2026 (Mondello Park – Ireland’s only historic racing venue)
- Check IVVCC calendar for 125th RIAC Anniversary (June 12–13)
- Look out for Cruz Fest in Cork on June 7 (Cruz Ireland – Irish car culture promoter)
“The Wells House event is a Father’s Day Classic Car Show with vintage cars, food trucks, vendors and family fun.” — Discover Ireland
Four upcoming events, one pattern: the most reliable listings come from official club calendars and national tourism sites. Here’s what the verified schedule looks like for late June 2026.
| Event | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Donegal Rally Weekend Car Show | June 20, 2026 | Motormeets.ie |
| Wells House Classic Car Show (Father’s Day) | June 21, 2026 | Discover Ireland |
| Gordon Bennett Classic Car Rally | May 29 – June 1, 2026 | Gordon Bennett Classic |
| Carole Nash Historic Festival | May 9–10, 2026 | Mondello Park |
| Cruz Fest (Cork) | June 7, 2026 | Cruz Ireland |
| Vintage Shamrock 2026 | May 11–14, 2026 | Rally the Globe |
| Bohernabreena Classic Car Show (date disputed) | June 14 or July 19, 2026 | Eventbrite / Classic & Exotic Cars |
| DofE Classic Car Tour (Northern Ireland) | September 24–28, 2026 | Duke of Edinburgh’s Award |
The takeaway: Official club calendars (IVVCC) and tourism sites (Discover Ireland) are the most reliable sources for verified car show dates, while aggregation platforms help fill gaps but require cross-checking.
Are there any car shows around this weekend?
What specific car shows are happening this weekend?
- If this weekend is June 20–21, 2026, the Donegal Rally Weekend Car Show runs on Saturday June 20 (Motormeets.ie – Irish car events directory).
- On Sunday June 21, the Wells House and Gardens Classic Car Show in Wexford celebrates Father’s Day with vintage cars, food trucks, and family activities (Discover Ireland – national tourism authority).
- The Bohernabreena Classic Car Show may fall on June 14 or July 19 — check the organiser’s page before travelling (Eventbrite).
The most reliable way to know what’s on this weekend is to check official club calendars — the Irish Veteran & Vintage Car Club (IVVCC) updates its events list regularly, while Facebook groups can be hit-or-miss for accuracy.
How to check local car show listings
- Search Motormeets.ie for a centralised list of Irish car meets (Motormeets.ie).
- Use Eventbrite Ireland filtered by “car show” and your county (Eventbrite’s Ireland car show directory).
- Join the Irish Car Shows and Meet Ups Facebook group for community-driven updates (Facebook group).
- Bookmark Classic & Exotic Cars events page for Cork and Dublin area shows (Classic & Exotic Cars – Irish classic car resource).
“The Bohernabreena Classic Car Show features over 550 cars and attracts more than 10,000 visitors, making it one of Ireland’s largest.” — Eventbrite
The implication: cross-referencing at least two sources — one official club calendar and one aggregation site — gives you the best chance of finding a verified show near you this weekend.
What classic car shows are near me this weekend?
Classic and vintage shows in Ireland
- The IVVCC Tom Kennedy Show is scheduled for July 12, 2026 (Irish Veteran & Vintage Car Club – official club calendar).
- The 69th Cork Veteran Run will take place on July 18, 2026, organised by the same club (IVVCC).
- The Carole Nash Historic Festival at Mondello Park already passed (May 9–10), but it’s the only historic motor racing event in Ireland (Mondello Park – Ireland’s premier motorsport venue).
Vintage tax eligibility and how it relates to shows
In Ireland, vehicles aged 30 years or older qualify for vintage motor tax, which can reduce annual tax to €56 or €112 depending on engine size (Revenue.ie – Irish tax authority). This threshold makes many classic cars eligible for shows and lowers the cost of ownership for enthusiasts. Knowing the age cut-off helps you understand why certain cars appear at vintage events.
While the 30-year rule opens the door to cheap tax, it does not guarantee your car is welcome at every show — many organisers require original or period-correct condition, not just age (Wikipedia – classic car definition).
Why this matters: if you’re looking for a classic car show near you this weekend, the cars on display are likely at least 30 years old, so the show’s character depends on the era of vehicles that qualify for vintage tax.
What car rally is on this weekend in Ireland?
Rallies and associated car shows
- The Donegal Rally Weekend (June 20–21, 2026) includes a dedicated car show alongside the rally action (Motormeets.ie).
- The Cork Veteran Run (July 18) is a historic rally more than a race, welcoming vintage vehicles for a scenic drive (IVVCC).
- The Gordon Bennett Classic Car Rally (May 29 – June 1) is a multi-day event in County Laois with both competitive and social elements (Gordon Bennett Classic – official site).
Notable rally events in Ireland
- The Vintage Shamrock 2026 (May 11–14) featured 58 pre-war entries, highlighting the appeal of historic rallying in Ireland (Rally the Globe – classic rally organiser).
- The DofE Classic Car Tour (September 24–28) in Northern Ireland is a charity tour through scenic routes (Duke of Edinburgh’s Award).
The trade-off: rally weekends often pair a car show with spectator-friendly stages, making them a two-in-one outing for enthusiasts. However, exact entry requirements and fees are rarely published online, so calling ahead is recommended.
Confirmed facts vs what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Donegal Rally Weekend Car Show date: June 20, 2026 (Motormeets.ie)
- IVVCC Tom Kennedy Show: July 12, 2026 (IVVCC)
- IVVCC 69th Cork Veteran Run: July 18, 2026 (IVVCC)
- Cars and Coffee Cork meets every second Sunday (Classic & Exotic Cars)
- Vintage tax eligibility at 30 years in Ireland (Revenue.ie)
- Gordon Bennett Classic Car Rally: May 29 – June 1, 2026 (Gordon Bennett Classic)
What’s unclear
- Exact times for the Donegal Rally Weekend Car Show (not listed on source pages)
- Whether Bohernabreena Classic Car Show is June 14 or July 19, 2026 (conflicting dates from Eventbrite and Classic & Exotic Cars)
- Entry fees and registration requirements for most events (not published online)
- Weather-dependent cancellations (no official cancellation policies found)
- Whether the Slane Castle Rally, Vintage & Classic Motor Show has a confirmed date for 2026 (Eventbrite listing unclear)
- Start time of the IVVCC Tom Kennedy Show (not provided on club calendar)
The pattern: official sources resolve most questions, but gaps remain for specific logistics.
Summary
The Irish classic car show scene is vibrant but fragmented — no single directory covers every verified event. The winning strategy is to rely on official club calendars like the IVVCC and authoritative tourism sites like Discover Ireland, then cross-check with aggregation platforms such as Motormeets.ie and Eventbrite. For the Irish car enthusiast looking for a weekend outing, the choice is clear: check official sources first, or risk arriving at an empty field.
For those looking to attend a classic or vintage event this weekend, the car shows near me in Ireland page provides a verified calendar of rallies and shows across the country.
Frequently asked questions
How can I find car shows near me this weekend in Ireland?
Start with Motormeets.ie, the IVVCC calendar, and Eventbrite filtered by location. Also check local Facebook groups like “Irish Car Shows and Meet Ups” (Facebook group).
Are car shows free to attend?
Many classic car shows in Ireland are free, but some charge a small entry fee. The Bohernabreena show, for example, had ticketed entry on Eventbrite. Always check the event listing.
What should I bring to a car show?
Bring cash for refreshments, a camera, sunscreen, and a folding chair. If you’re displaying your car, bring a windscreen sign with its make, model, and year.
Can I display my own car at a show?
Yes, but most shows require pre-registration. Contact the organiser through their official website or Facebook page. Classic and vintage cars (30+ years old) are often given priority.
What time do car shows usually start and end?
Most start around 10:00–11:00 AM and finish by 4:00–5:00 PM. Exact times vary and are rarely posted online, so arrive early to avoid missing the best vehicles.
Are classic car shows family-friendly?
Absolutely. Events like the Wells House Classic Car Show specifically market family activities, food trucks, and entertainment alongside the cars.
Do I need to register in advance for a car show?
If you’re a spectator, usually not — you can just turn up. If you want to show your car, advance registration is often required. Check the organiser’s page.