Midlands motorsport star Alex Dunne helps launch Athlone-bound Cannonball event
Offaly motorsport star Alex Dunne has helped launch the Cannonball supercar spectacle - which is coming to Athlone next week - by announcing Ronald McDonald House as the event's official charity partner.
The 20-year-old from Clonbullogue is currently competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Rodin Motorsport, and after rising through the international racing ranks he has firmly established himself as one of Ireland’s brightest prospects on the road to Formula 1.
The Cannonball event, which this year takes place from September 11-13, will have its first official finish line in Tullamore on Friday, September 11, at 6pm.
The following morning, Satuday, September 12, the event's official day two start line at 10.30am will be Circle K at the M6 Athlone.
Cannonball organisers said the event will offer spectators and families a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s rarest and most desirable supercars up close, completely free of charge.
This year's event brings together more than 200 of the world's most extraordinary supercars, hyper cars, and novelty cars including Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley, Maserati and more.
Host towns along the route will also have DJs, live entertainment, giant screens, Brazilian dancers, street performers and children’s entertainment, with "a unique festival atmosphere" due to be created during the Cannonball visit.
Alex Dunne was pictured alongside one of Cannonball’s show-stopping supercars, a striking orange Lamborghini Aventador, as he officially announced Ronald McDonald House as the charity partner for Cannonball 2026.
Since being established, Cannonball has already raised an impressive €2,281,871 for Irish children’s charities.
This year's event will see drivers arrive at The Johnstown Estate, Enfield, for registration on Thursday, September 10.
The following day, the convoy will pass through Enniskerry, The K Club and the Circle K outlet at the M9 in Kilcullen, before heading to the Midlands and arriving at the finish line in Tullamore from approximately 6pm.
On Saturday, September 12th, the convoy departs, visiting Circle K at the M6 Athlone at 10.30am before heading west to Ennistymon. Bunratty and Limerick city are other stops on the Saturday itinerary, while on Sunday Fermoy and Cork will be visited prior to the grand finale in Kilkenny city at 5.30pm.
Founded by Kildare businessman Alan Bannon, Cannonball said it delivers an estimated €2.5 million economic benefit to the towns and communities it visits each year while simultaneously raising significant funds for Irish children’s charities.
Detailed google maps and exact roads the convoy will travel into and out of towns are available at: Cannonball.ie