'Bigger and bigger': Donegal to host super cars as part of 'The Bear Run 74'
A total of 74 high spec super cars will take part in quite the spectacle over May 1, 2 and 3 with the official start line taking place on Saturday, May 2 in Ballybofey with organiser Keith 'Bear' Gamble promising the best yet!
The Bear Run ’74 will roar through Donegal again on the May Bank Holiday weekend.
The annual event, the brainchild of Lifford man Keith ‘Bear’ Gamble, is in its fifth year now having already raised a whopping €267,996 for charitable causes so far.
‘Bear’ has vowed that the 2026 event will be his biggest and best yet with BUMBLEance, Ireland’s only dedicated children’s ambulance, set to benefit this year. You can help by donating here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/thebearrun742026
A total of 74 high spec super cars will take part in quite the spectacle over May 1, 2 and 3 with the official start line taking place on Saturday, May 2 in Ballybofey.
“I cannot wait for this one,” Bear says. “We have 74 cars and it’s capped at the 74 because it’s the Bear Run 74. We also have 73 cars on standby so that tells you how big this is going.
“We’re travelling three days around Ireland. “People have really come on board now. I have people ringing me looking to do things and just get involved.
“We’re expecting bigger and bigger crowds this year.”
He did the first Bear Run in 2022 and has done four now, but has also held various car shows, including one recently at Lifford Stadium to honour the memory of Christian McCullagh, the 17-year-old from Raphoe who died in September and who was a huge fan of the Bear Run.
Every car on The Bear Run ’74 this year will bear a sticker remembering the popular Raphoe teen.
Bear says: “Christian loved this car so much. I just wanted to do something to remember him. He got so much out of the Bear Run and we just want to remember him.
Bear’s father, Joseph, passed away at home in Croaghan Heights in July 2021 at the age of 74 - hence the name of the event.
Bear’s efforts were acknowledged by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Ruairi McHugh, who made a presentation in recognition of the mammoth fundraising.
The convoy of cars will leave from Moneymore at 2pm on Friday, May 1 before arriving for a fuel stop in Lifford at 5pm.
The following morning, the cars will be waved off from the official start line in Ballybofey.
The Mayor of Donegal, Councillor Paul Canning, will cut the tape to mark the formal start of the 2026 version of The Bear Run ’74. Among the special guests to be in attendance will be Nadia Adan of Ashford Motors and representatives from BUMBLEance.
Bear says: “We’ll be leaving Ballybofey sharp at 10.30am on the Saturday. We just can’t stay any longer because we have a long journey ahead of us. We’re going through Donegal Town after that and we’re heading for Kilkenny.”
A lap of The Diamond in Donegal Town is expected around 11am with honorary Mayor of Donegal Town, Anna Gallagher, to greet the vehicles.
The Bear Run participants will re-group in Ballinalack Texaco at 1pm on the Saturday before heading onto Browne’s of Tullamore for 2pm. They will have a fuel stop at Portlaoise Plaza at 4 and are expected to arrive in Kilkenny for 6pm.
The cars will leave the Mart Car Park in Kilkenny at 10am on the Sunday, stopping at Ashford Motors at 1pm and Lynhams of Laragh at 2pm before the official finish line at Lawlor’s of Naas at 5pm
Further details can be found at: https://thebearrun74.com/events/the-bear-run-74-2026/