In October 1979 the newly formed Killarney and District Motor Club announced that they intended to run a new two-day stage rally on the first weekend in December and that the ultimate aim of the new Rally would be that it would over the years be developed into one of the great modern car rallies of Europe. Perhaps not many saw much of a future at that time for a new rally running at the very end of the year when cars are tired and budgets spent. However, the majority of the stages to be used had for decades previously been known and widely respected as the classic Sunday run of the Circuit of Ireland and it was the drawing power of these stages that brought competitors here in their droves.
The Rally of the Lakes ran annually on the first weekend in December until 1992. In 1993 the event switched to the first weekend in May to coincide with the proposal of a new Bank Holiday weekend due to begin in Ireland in 1994. This date switch ensured improved daylight hours and weather conditions. Since the switch the event has gone from strength to strength with competitors from Ireland, the UK and beyond arriving each year to test themselves and their machines against the challenging stages.
The Rally of the Lakes Sponsors
Stages of Rally of the Lakes
The Rally of the Lakes is set against the backdrop of Killarney and its hinterland. The picturesque landscapes, including the iconic Ring of Kerry and the breath-taking Wild Atlantic Way form some of the stages the event is renowned for. The combination of tight, winding roads and varying conditions ensure a demanding event for participants and an exciting spectacle for fans.
On the Limit Sports Rally of the Lakes 2024 Program
2022 Rally of the Lakes,
Stage 4 - Kilsarcon | Robert Duggan & Ger Conway | Ford Escort Mk2
Previous Winners of the Rally of the Lakes
1979: Billy Coleman / Brendan Neville – Ford Escort Mk2
1980: Ger Buckley / John Caplice – Vauxhall Chevette HSR
1981: Demi Fitzgerald / Leo Whyte – Vauxhall Chevette HSR
1982: James Doherty / Michael Curley – Vauxhall Chevette HSR
1983: Billy Coleman / Con Murphy – Opel Ascona 400
1984: Billy Coleman / Ronan Morgan – Opel Manta 400
1985: Billy Coleman / Ronan Morgan – Ford Escort G3
1986: Austin McHale / Ronan McNamee – Opel Manta 400
1987: Mark Lovell / Roger Freeman – Ford Sierra Cosworth
1988: Austin McHale / Ronan McNamee – Opel Manta 400
1989: Russell Brookes / John Brown – Ford Sierra Cosworth
1990: Bertie Fisher / Rory Kennedy – BMW M3
1991: Bertie Fisher / Rory Kennedy – Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4X4
1992: Bertie Fisher / Rory Kennedy – Subaru Legacy RS
1993: Bertie Fisher / Rory Kennedy – Subaru Legacy RS
1994: Bertie Fisher / Rory Kennedy – Subaru Impreza 555
1995: Frank Meagher / Pat Moloughney – Ford Escort RS Cosworth
1996: Bertie Fisher / Rory Kennedy – Subaru Impreza 555
1997: Austin McHale / Brian Murphy – Toyota Celica GT-4 ST185
1998: James Leckey / George Millar – Subaru Impreza 555
1999: Ian Greer / Dean Beckett – Toyota Celica GT-4 ST205
2000: Stephen Finlay / Rory Kennedy – Ford Focus WRC
2001: No Rally – Foot and Mouth crisis
2002: Andrew Nesbitt / James O’Brien – Subaru Impreza WRC
2003: Eugene Donnell / Paul Kiely – Subaru Impreza WRC
2004: Derek McGarrity / Dermot O’Gorman – Subaru Impreza WRC
2005: Andrew Nesbitt / James O’Brien – Subaru Impreza WRC
2006: Tim McNulty / Anthony Nestor – Subaru Impreza WRC
2007: Kris Meeke / Jonas Anderson – Subaru Impreza WRC
2008: Eamonn Boland / Damien Morrissey – Subaru Impreza WRC
2009: Tim McNulty / David Moynihan – Subaru Impreza WRC
2010: Denis Cronin / Helen O’Sullivan – Subaru Impreza WRC
2011: Darragh O’Riordan / Tony McDaid – Subaru Impreza WRC
2012: Darragh O’Riordan / Tony McDaid – Subaru Impreza WRC
2013: Gary Jennings / Neil Doherty – Subaru Impreza WRC
2014: Sam Moffett / James O’Reilly – Ford Fiesta WRC
2015: Donagh Kelly / Conor Foley – Ford Focus RS WRC
2016: Donagh Kelly / Conor Foley – Ford Focus RS WRC
2017: Sam Moffett / Karl Atkinson – Ford Fiesta R5
2018: Manus Kelly / Donal Barrett – Subaru Impreza WRC
2019: Craig Breen / Paul Nagle – Ford Fiesta R5
2020: No Rally – Covid pandemic
2021: No Rally – Covid pandemic
2022: Callum Devine / Noel O’Sullivan – VW Polo R5
2023: Callum Devine / Noel O’Sullivan – VW Polo R5
2024: Callum Devine / Noel O’Sullivan – VW Polo R5
2025: ??
RPM Motorsport – 1994 Rally of the Lakes
