Jake and Karen’s Cannonball Gig

On June 13th -15th, Retro Cannonball rolls once again, featuring 100 classic cars, free family live entertainment and a festival atmosphere.

Dancing with the Stars Judge Karen Byrne and her fiancé, musician Jake Carter, have joined forces with the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation to announce its partnership with Retro Cannonball 2025. The Glitterball trophy-winning pair are delighted to lend their support to the children’s charity to bring awareness to its vital in-home nursing and respite care service, which is a lifeline to over 400 families across Ireland.  

Spectators and families in Co Westmeath can get up close, see some rare classic cars, take photographs, meet the drivers and enjoy the timeless allure of vintage automobiles at The Sheraton Hotel in Athlone on Friday June 13th at 6pm for the first finish line as the drivers have their first overnight stay of the event.

Retro Cannonball is the classic car road-trip and will include rare cars such as the Lamborghini Diablo, Jaguar E-Type, Ferrari 348 GTS, Mercedes-Benz SL Classics, Lancia Beta, BMW 635CSI, Porsche 911 Carrera and Targa, MG Midget, Ford Escort Cosworth, Chevrolet Corvette, VW Beetle, Ford Thunderbird, MINI Cooper and many more. Spectators can get up close, view the cars and take photographs at each of the start and finish lines, pit stops and lunch stops.

Jake and Karen said:

“Family is so important to us both, and when we were approached by Jack and Jill to help announce its partnership with RETRO Cannonball, it was a no-brainer. RETRO Cannonball is such a brilliant event, and a true celebration of rare and classic cars that will thrill the whole family. We hope that people will be inspired to get out onto the high-roads and by-roads along the route to check out this incredible spectacle. And most importantly, if they have a few euro to spare, please donate it to Jack and Jill, because you’ll be making a meaningful difference for families who so rely on Jack and Jill to keep the show on the road at home.”

Retro Cannonball will commence this year in Little Island Cork, taking in The Rebel County, and then coming up through Counties Tipperary, Offaly, Westmeath, Tyrone and finishing at The Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth.

Cannonball has already raised €1,946,432 for Irish children's charities and this year is raising funds for the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation.


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