In a scene fit for Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Radio Nova’s PJ Gallagher and Jim McCabe got to grips with a rare Aston Martin DB11 to announce that the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation is the official charity partner for Cannonball 2025, as Cannonball is set to return to Cork this September for the first lunch stop at Ballymaloe. Amid feverish Bond casting rumours and as debates swirl about 007’s next Aston Martin, could Agents PJ, Jim and the DB11 be hiding in plain sight?
Cannonball founder Alan Bannon confirmed that Cannonball, the action-packed supercar spectacle is set to roll on September 12th-14th from Johnstown Estate in Enfield taking in Ballymaloe in county Cork (Friday 12th), Killarney, Clare, Sligo, Cavan, to finish in Naas, Co Kildare. Cannonball, fuelled by miles+ 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 €2,024,809 for Irish children’s charities and brings an electric atmosphere to host towns all over the country, making it a widely anticipated free family event for spectators. The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation is 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 with severe learning disability often associated with complex medical needs and is often described as a ‘lifeline’, giving exhausted parent carers a break from their 24/7 care regime. Jack and Jill’s service operates seven days a week, no means test, no red tape and no waiting list. 384 children in Cork have been cared for by the charity in Co. Cork since its inception in 1997 and this year 57 children in Cork are being cared for by Jack and Jill.
Cannonball offers spectators a unique opportunity to witness the world’s most prestigious and sought-after supercars up close and enjoy the unique festival atmosphere that Cannonball is renowned for. The Brazilian dancers, giant screens, music and fanfare brings all the glamour of carnival and live DJs, bands and festivals in host towns around the country get the party started. The Cannonballers and celebrities in colourful costumes add to the pageantry. 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 day out. This year, organisers are also calling on spectators to dress up in fancy dress with prizes for best dressed!
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. Over 200,000 spectators are expected with free festivals organised from coast to coast.
