Stages Rally return to boost region
By Anna Powell
A large crowd gathered outside the Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh last Sunday evening to celebrate the official launch of the 2026 Birr Stages Rally which is set to return to Nenagh after eight years on Sunday 29th March.
As outlined by secretary of Birr Motor Club, Noelle Horan, this event was an opportunity for the club to launch its event to its club members and members of the public.
“We just wanted to bring people together, championships and our club members to formally launch the event,” Horan said.
“We had a really great crowd. We are a round of six championships, and we were very lucky that a lot of them were able to come down today and chat about the event. We are thrilled with how well received it was, and the locals seemed to be very excited for the rally.”
The Birr Stages Rally will be the counting round of six major championships which will include the Triton Showers National Rally Championship; the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship; the Top Part West Coast Rally Championship; the Hugo Loonam Motors Midlands East Rally Championship; the Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series, and the Dacia Sandero Challenge Cup.
This event was last hosted in the Nenagh area eight years ago with this years route to take in areas such as Ballymackey, Ardcroney, and Kilbarron.
“We have three stages, there on three times,” outlined Clerk of the Course John Tynan.
“It’s a great money spinner for the area, it promotes the town across the country and there is a great history of rallying in this area.”
“We tend to move (the rally) around a bit so as to not fatigue an area. It’s eight years since we were [in Nenagh].
“It’s great to bring it back to an area where we are getting such good support,” Noelle Horan added.
“The rally will take place predominantly on the Sunday, so that’s when the competition starts, but on the Saturday, the cars and the teams will move into the town, and they will do some pre-event checks.
“Every car that you see here will go through some safety checks on the day, so that will happen in an area around town, and all the administration and documentation checks will happen in [the Abbey Court Hotel].
“There will be a lot of activity and rally cars moving around on the day before the rally as well as having the competition on the rally day itself.”
As pointed out by District Administrator of Tipperary County Council Rosemary Joyce, this event is expected to bring a lot of business to the town.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to have this back,” she said.
“I was here about 8 years ago last time round for the launch and I’m delighted to be here again.
“This event brings a footfall, it creates a buzz and excitement and I just wish you all a safe and wonderful time and while you are in the area, enjoy Nenagh.”
This sentiment was also echoed by local Fianna Fáil TD, Ryan O’Meara: “You are going to be in a brilliant town while the stage is on here …with the hospitality, the cafes, the restaurants, pubs, and an absolutely superb hotel,
“We are proud of our town. We are very proud to be able to host this event, it means a lot to us and it’s absolutely brilliant to have you all back here again,” he said.
Members of the public are invited to come out and watch the various stages with programmes on sale in local shops in the area with the route maps.
“All that we ask is that members of the public stay as safe as possible and to respect the marshals that will be guiding them to local safe areas to spectate on the Sunday,” expressed Noelle Horan on behalf of Birr Motor Club.
People can learn more about the Birr Stages Rally on social media, on Facebook and Instagram @Birrmotorclub, the Sportity app, or the website, Birrmotorclub.com.