Report: Neil McDaid
Photos: Neil McDaid
Dublin, Ireland: Motorsport Ireland has once again thrown its weight behind an ambitious plan to return the FIA World Rally Championship to Irish roads, reigniting a dream that has simmered since the sport last roared through the country more than a decade ago. MSI's goal is to get Ireland on the WRC calendar for 2028-29
With renewed political engagement, a reshaped WRC calendar, and lessons learned from past disappointments, Ireland’s latest bid feels more grounded and potentially more credible than before.
Ireland last hosted a WRC round in 2009 and 2010, events fondly remembered for their unique blend of fast, narrow tarmac stages, unpredictable weather, and passionate crowds. Yet the curtain came down abruptly. The previous bid ultimately collapsed under the combined weight of funding shortfalls, late-stage government hesitation, and concerns within the FIA over long-term financial guarantees. Despite strong sporting delivery, the economic model simply didn’t stack up in a post-financial-crisis Ireland.
That failure has loomed large over subsequent attempts. But Motorsport Ireland’s current approach reflects a more mature, strategic understanding of what the modern WRC demands. Crucially, this bid is being framed not just as a motorsport event, but as a national tourism and economic initiative — language that resonates far more clearly with government stakeholders than pure sporting heritage ever did.
What may tip the balance this time is timing. The WRC is actively seeking high-profile tarmac events to balance its hybrid-heavy gravel calendar, and Ireland’s road network — honed by decades of Irish Tarmac Championship competition — is ready-made for the spectacle modern rally fans crave. Events like the Circuit of Ireland, West Cork Rally, and Donegal International Rally have continued to demonstrate Ireland’s organisational depth, volunteer base, and crowd control expertise at an elite level.
Equally important is Motorsport Ireland’s effort to secure multi-year commitments rather than a one-off splash. Stability is now a non-negotiable requirement for WRC Promoter, and early indications suggest stronger alignment between local authorities, national tourism bodies, and private partners than in previous attempts.
Ireland also benefits from a new generation of internationally successful drivers and co-drivers keeping the nation visible on the world stage, reinforcing the narrative that Ireland is not just a historic rally nation — but a current one.
There are still hurdles to clear: funding guarantees, logistical complexity, and the ever-present challenge of road closures on public tarmac. But for the first time since 2010, Ireland’s WRC bid feels less like a romantic revival — and more like a serious, calculated return.
