If you’re anywhere near Connemara this weekend, expect to hear the unmistakable rumble of vintage engines rolling through some of Ireland’s most breathtaking scenery. The Galway & District Classic Motorcycle Club is revving up for its 46th annual rally, and Carole Nash is delighted to be offering our support.
Starting from Clifden, County Galway, this long-running celebration of classic motorcycling is far more than a rally. It’s a tradition, a social gathering, and a living tribute to the craftsmanship and heritage of motorcycles from throughout the decades.
The story began back in 1978, when renowned enthusiast Edward “Ed” Carpenter organised the first Galway Rally under the Irish Vintage & Veteran Motorcycle Club. Alongside his wife Phyllis, Ed helped create what would become a much-loved fixture on the vintage motorcycling calendar. Nearly five decades later, that legacy continues stronger than ever.
This year’s rally is expected to welcome between 80 and 100 riders from Ireland, the UK and beyond, each and every one united by a shared passion for classic bikes. The ride out gets underway on Saturday morning at 10am, when riders depart from Clifden town centre for a spectacular 120-mile route through Connemara and the Wild Atlantic Way. The journey will take in local roads and stunning landscapes, blending coastal stretches with upland scenery that showcases the very best of the west of Ireland.
A lunch stop at Glinsk House offers a chance to refuel before riders head back out on the road, eventually looping back to the Clifden Station House Hotel, the rally’s base for the weekend.
For spectators, it’s a rare chance to see an impressive collection of classic motorcycles up close, from beautifully restored vintage models to beloved machines spanning multiple eras. Even if you’re not riding yourself, it’s a fascinating event. Whether you’re a die-hard classic bike enthusiast or simply curious, the sight and sound of these timeless machines is worth experiencing.
Saturday evening brings another highlight with an awards gala dinner at the hotel. The evening will feature speeches from club chairman Conrad Rayner, long-serving secretary Robert d’Silva and hotel owner James Sweeney, who continues to support the event with a warm welcome and complimentary drinks reception.
While the rally isn’t about competition, entrants are enthusiasts not racers after all, there is an award voted for by the event marshals. The Eddie Carpenter Cup, named in honour of the rally’s founder, is awarded to the motorcycle most admired by the marshals and is a fitting tribute to the enduring spirit of the event.
From its roots as a local gathering to its reputation as an established international rally, the Galway & District Classic Motorcycle Club’s annual event remains a shining example of dedication, tradition and the timeless appeal of classic motorcycling, one which Carole Nash is proud to support.
