This four-day event and fun run takes place over the June Bank Holiday covering the counties of Laois, Carlow and Kildare, all three of which were chosen for the original 1903 race. This historic route offers visitors many interesting and scenic locations in the region, while celebrating and discovering, “The Race that saved Motor Sport”.
The 2025 Gordon Bennet Classic Itinerary
Friday 30th May 2025 | Registration
Registration and Launch Night at Laois County Council Civic Hall and Chambers from 6pm . Introductions and speeches and guest speakers. Followed by finger food and refreshments.
Registration can also be done on each of the event days if you cannot make the Friday night.
This is a private event for registered participants only.
Eircode location R32 EHP9
Saturday 31st May 2025 | Heritage Run
Departing the HQ at Treacys, the Heath from 11am after the driver’s briefing. Following this, the drivers will wind their way down through Laois onto the Carlow/Wexford border. The first stop will be at Huntingdon Castle and Gardens Huntington Castle & Gardens. Here will be the chance to enjoy an open air Hog Roast Picnic lunch. Take time to explore the Gardens and Castle and House*. After lunch, the participants will head back to Laois to stop at the village of Timahoe to park up. Here, the rocession will join the Timahoe Viking festival Home – Timahoe Heritage Festival 2024. Enjoy the quaint village, its round Tower, and the Viking village and re-enactments. Depart at one’s leisure for the evening.
*Entry fee to the Huntington gardens and Lunch is included, but optional guided house tours are extra, pre bookable from the website.
Treacys the Heath Eircode location R32 X803
Sunday 1st June 2025 | The Gordon Bennett Route
Get out the tweeds and or fancy dress on, either being encouraged. Fancy dress suitable to the period of each particular car is most welcome.
Again departing Treacys the Heath at 11am the route of the 1903 Gordon Bennett Race will be retraced with stops at Athy. Here, a visit to the Heritage Museum is a must. Ernest Shackleton was born in Athy and the museum has many artifacts from the heroic age of exploration. Athy Heritage – Shackleton Museum Athy
From here the route is picked up again, ending in Kildare Town for a street party hosted by the Cill Dar Car Club.
The evening is rounded off with a Gala Night at the Midlands Park Hotel, for food, music, spot prizes and craic. This is a relaxed evening and is not black tie so don’t be shy, again fancy dress is encouraged or tweeds in spirit of the event. Many repeat guests see this as the highlight of the weekend.
Monday 2nd June 2025 | Leisure Run and BBQ
Dust off for the 11am departure from Treacys, the Heath as a leisurely run is taken though the Laois and Kildare countryside to Monasterevin. Here the procession will park up for a wonderful street festival, and not forgetting the legendary tea party held in the town. Finally, the drivers will depart Monasterevin and head back to the HQ at Treacys, the heath for the BBQ finale, music and send offs followed by the lowering of the Gordon Bennett Flag as the event comes to a close.