Annual National Car Run Coming To Midlands This May Bank Holiday

Monday, 20 April 2026 14:17

The Bear Run 74 will pass through Tullamore and Portlaoise.

The annual national car run, The Bear Run 74, returns this May Bank Holiday weekend in aid of BUMBLEance Children’s Ambulance Service.

Following the success of last year’s event, which raised €52,339, the fundraiser will see over 70 supercars and American muscle cars travel through eleven towns across Ireland. Now in its fifth year, the Bear Run 74 showcases some of the world’s most iconic and high-performance vehicles, all in support of a vital cause.

The 2026 route will begin at Railway Karting in Moneymore and then onto Applegreen Lifford on Friday, 1 May. Day two will start on Ballybofey Main Street, then passing through Donegal Town at 11am before continuing through Ballinalack, Tullamore, Portlaoise Plaza, and Main Street Kilkenny. The final day will include stops at Ashford Motors and Laragh, before concluding at Lawlor’s of Naas on Sunday, 3 May.

BUMBLEance is Ireland’s only dedicated children’s ambulance service. BUMBLEance makes a difference by empowering the thousands of families unable to access their child’s healthcare through providing nationwide journeys in a safe, caring, and fun environment, offered completely free of charge.

Founder of the Bear Run 74, Keith Gamble, said, “We are delighted to bring the Bear Run 74 back for another year. We have an incredible line-up of cars taking part, and it is a privilege to raise funds for such an important cause in honour of my late father.”

In 2025, BUMBLEance travelled over 400,000km delivering 2,122 trips to healthcare for hundreds of children across the country. However, rising demand meant that unfortunately 442 trips could not be fulfilled due to limited resources. Fundraisers like the ‘Bear Run 74’ are essential to powering this free national service, ensuring no child is unable to access their healthcare due to something as simple as lack of transport.

The Bear Run 74, held annually in memory of organiser Keith Gamble’s late father, will officially launch at 2pm on Friday, 1 May, at Railway Karting, Moneymore, Co. Derry, with the convoy visiting ten fundraising locations where members of the public can donate, meet the BUMBLEance team, and, at selected stops, view the vehicles up close. The event will conclude at Lawlor’s of Naas at 5pm on Sunday, 3 May.

To date, the Bear Run 74 has raised €267,996 for charitable causes, with 2026 expected to be its biggest year yet. Vehicles participating this year include models such as Lamborghini, McLaren, Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, and American Muscle.