Cannonball cavalcade rolls into Killarney to raise money for Irish Cancer Society
Glorious sunshine and a carnival vibe greeted the glamorous Cannonball cavalcade as it rolled into Killarney last night for its first overnight pit stop.
As well as the spectacle of 190 supercars and novelty vehicles -- including a "Popemobile" -- some participants motored into the limelight in costume mingling with their fans at the grounds of the INEC.
Celebrity Cannonballers at the wheel or riding shotgun included 's Tom Walker, Corrie actor Ryan Thomas, and a slew of superheroes from Wonder Woman to Spiderman.
The supercar spectacle revved up for action in Malahide, Dublin, Friday morning and blazed a trail through Cork before sweeping into Kerry.
The last time the large Cannonball event came to Killarney was 2011 and just as was the case then thousands turned out in force to welcome the supercars to town.
Proceeds go to the Irish Cancer Society and the gleaming top-mark cars in the convoy include McLaren, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Porsche, Maserati, Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
Billed the largest organised road trip in Europe. Cannonball is fuelled by milesPlus from Circle K.
The convoy will take in Limerick, Mayo, Sligo and Meath and before concluding in Offaly on Sunday.
The benefit to the Irish economy and host towns of this event is estimated at €2,567,000 per year, according to spokeswoman Helen O'Dwyer. "Over 200,000 people will line the streets all over Ireland for Cannonball and the event has already raised €1,016,000 for Irish charities,"said Ms O'Dwyer.
This year, the charity benefactor is the Irish Cancer Society. The charity funds lifesaving cancer research and a range of free support services for people affected by cancer.
Cannonball has always been a star-studded affair and celebrities over the years include Boyzone’s Shane Lynch who is a firm devotee and even has the logo tattooed on his leg. Bruno Mars also joined him one year for a stage of Cannonball. Other household names include former Miss World Rosanna Davison.
