The official launch of the 2026 Assess Ireland Rally of the Lakes will take place at Gleneagle Hotel on Saturday, April 11.

The organising team will reveal key details of the upcoming event, including an up-to-date entry list and several new innovations for this year’s rally.

Representatives from three major championships will be in attendance: the NAPA Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the GK Print Southern 4 Rally Championship, and the Kingdom of Kerry Rally Championship.

Local councillors and politicians will also be present to offer their formal backing to the event, which remains a significant economic driver for the region.

The launch begins at 5:00pm with a display of rally cars outside the hotel. Several local rally drivers will be on hand to meet fans, and an open invitation has been extended to all members of the public and rally enthusiasts to attend

The NAPA Auto Parts Irish Tarmac Rally Championship heads to Dungannon this Easter weekend for the Circuit of Ireland, with two Killarney men at the sharp end of the entry list.

Muckross co-driver Noel O’Sullivan and driver Callum Devine start as top seeds in their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2.

The reigning champions are looking to defend their 2025 Circuit victory and regain ground in the championship standings following Josh Moffett’s recent win in West Cork.

Joining them in the top-flight Rally2 class is Rockfield’s Shane Buckley.

Navigating for David Kelly in a similar Skoda, Buckley will be aiming to break onto the podium after the crew secured two fourth-place finishes in the opening rounds of the series.

The Killarney pair face a competitive field including dual West cork Rally winner Moffett (Toyota Yaris Rally2) and Irish National Rally Champion Eddie Doherty.

Kerry representation across the field
Beyond the lead battle, several other Kerry navigators are in action over the two-day event. Currow’s John McCarthy returns to pace-note duties for John Devlin in their Ford Escort Mk2, competing in the competitive modified section.

Lissivgeen school teacher Elaine Ní Shé also makes the trip north. She will be competing in the four-wheel-drive Rally3 class alongside driver Richard O’Lone in a Ford Fiesta.

In the Wales Motorsport Historic ITRC category, Castleisland’s Denny Greaney continues his championship bid.

Partnering with Ronan Campbell, Greaney will be looking to challenge current points leaders Jason McSweeney and Liam Brennan, who are chasing a hat-trick of wins in their Escort Cosworth.

The rally gets underway this Good Friday, covering a demanding route of asphalt stages across Tyrone.