Cannonball Ireland – September 15-16
The Quay, Ballina
Friday September 15 and Saturday September 16
Cannonball Ireland whizzes back into the Quay, Ballina on Friday, September 15 from 6pm, departing on the morning of Saturday, September 16. The official Cannonball route for 2023 includes Dublin, Cavan, Ballina, Salthill, Limerick, Cork and Kilkenny. Ballina has been chosen for the first overnight stop on Friday September 15th to coincide with the Ballina 2023 celebrations! Both Ballina and neighbouring Enniscrone will benefit this year from the Cannonball overnight stay.
The three-day supercar event attracts over 200,000 spectators nationally and has now raised €1,538,602 for Irish charities. This year the official charity of Cannonball is The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation – an Irish children’s charity that funds and delivers in-home nursing care, respite support and end-of-life care for children from birth to six years of age who have highly complex and life-limiting medical conditions. There are currently over 400 children under the care of Jack and Jill right across the country and the charity’s mission is to empower parents to care for their child at home, because there is no care like home care for a Jack and Jill child.
Cannonball in Ballina will offer spectators a unique opportunity to witness the world’s most prestigious and sought-after supercars up close and enjoy the unique festival atmosphere for which Cannonball is renowned.
The Brazilian Dancers, giant screens, music and fanfare brings all the glamour of carnival and live DJs, bands and festivals in host towns get the party started. The Cannonballers and celebrities in colourful costumes add to the melee. From Spiderman to Star Wars, Cat Woman to Wonder Woman, cheerleaders to Charlie’s Angels, Batman, the Joker and more, it is a totally unique free family evening out.
This year, organisers are also calling on spectators to dress up in fancy dress with prizes for best dressed.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – please read
To make sure the event is safe and successful in Ballina, here’s what you need to know ahead of the arrival of over 200 SUPERCARS to town! Please obey An Garda Síochána and event stewards at all times.
Thursday, September 14
Volunteers will be busy at the Quay from 6pm getting barriers in place along the stage finish. Please drive slowly and carefully.
Friday, September 15
Cannonball is scheduled to arrive at the Quay on Friday evening from 6pm. It will arrive into town via Abbey Street and is due at the Quay between 6pm and 6.30pm.
PLEASE NOTE: A temporary road diversion will be in place from 5.30pm to 8pm from Creggs Road and Bóthar na gCúige (Riverside/Quignalecka) with local and business access only to the Quay. Parking inside Quay gates for local business clients.
If you want a good viewing spot, we recommend being at the Quay no later than 6pm. There will be limited parking on Creggs Road and Ballina Rugby Club only so please arrive on foot if possible. Cars will remain at the Quay until approximately 7.15pm until which time members of the public are welcome to take photos etc.
No parking will be available on Quay Road after noon on Friday (residents and Quay business clients will be catered for throughout the day). Parking inside the Quay Gates for Quay business customers only. If you have an appointment at the Quay on Friday we advise that you leave in plenty of time to allow for likely delays.
All welcome to join the Cannonball After Party in Quay West Ballina from 9pm!
Saturday, September 16
Cars will begin to re-assemble at the Quay in advance of departure from 9.30am. Members of the public are welcome to come to the Quay to see them off!
Cannonball will depart the Quay at approximately 11am and will travel against the one-way system through Riverslade onto the main Sligo Road. They will then travel through the town centre before departing via the N26.
Note: A temporary diversion will once again be in place from Creggs Road and Bóthar na gCúige/Riverside from 9am to 11:30am. Local and Quay business access only. Reserved parking for Quay business clients.
About Cannonball
Cannonball, fuelled by milesPLUS from Circle K, is the largest organised road trip in Europe featuring the finest cars on the planet from the awe-inspiring power of Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren to the grace and elegance of Porsche, Aston Martin, and Maserati. Cannonball has already raised €1,538,602 for Irish Charities and brings a unique and inimitable electric atmosphere to host towns all over the country making it a widely-anticipated free family event for spectators.
Cannonball was founded by Kildare businessman Alan Bannon and the benefit to the host towns for this event is estimated at €2,567,000 per year.
Cannonball is fuelled by milesPLUS from Circle K as the main headline Sponsor for 2023 and all official fuel stops on the route where spectators can see the cars will be announced in the coming days. The Tour Sponsor this year is Apache Pizza and Cannonball official partners include Karl Goodwin Motors, AB Signs, HONE Energy and Majestic Ireland Road Trips. See cannonball.ie and for local updates and schedules, follow the Cannonball Ballina Facebook page.
The National Cannonball Route
To commence the road trip on Thursday September 14th, the Cannonball crew will roll into Malahide Castle to get set for another adrenalin fuelled supercar spectacle. The supercars are due to start arriving from 6pm with an opportunity for spectators to be captivated by their enviable fusion of engineering excellence and breathtaking design.
On Friday September 15th at 10am, the gleaming convoy will depart Malahide Castle and will blaze a trail to Cavan for a lunch stop at the Slieve Russell Hotel and Country Club in Cavan. The first finish line and overnight stay will be in Ballina and the cars are due to arrive to the finish line on the Quay at 6pm.
On Saturday September 16th the convoy will leave the Quay in Ballina at 10.30am and travel to Salthill Hotel Co Galway for lunch at 1pm and then onwards to Pery Square Limerick City for the second finish line and overnight stay in association with Limerick City and County.
On Sunday September 17th the supercars will leave Limerick City at 10.30am, then fuel up at Circle K Fermoy and then onwards to Cork for lunch at Fota Island Resort before a big dramatic final finish line in Kilkenny City at 6pm.
The local Cannonball Committee would like to acknowledge all local sponsors for their kind and generous support.