Issue Date: 16/06/2026
An Garda Síochána welcomes all participants and spectators to Donegal for the annual Donegal International Rally, which takes place this weekend, Friday 19th to Sunday 21st June, 2026.
In order to maximise your enjoyment of the event, which will attract thousands of people, An Garda Síochána are urging people to ‘Keep the Race in Its Place’ and drive responsibly and carefully over the weekend.
Our advice in relation to traffic management and safety is:
• Plan your journey and arrive in plenty of time as there will be road closures over the weekend and high volumes of traffic are anticipated. This may also affect public transport.
• Follow advice and guidance from Gardaí and race marshals
• Remember to belt up, put the mobile phone away and never ever drink or take drugs and drive.
• Watch the rally from the designated safe viewing areas
Today, Tuesday 16th June, An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland jointly launched their Cross-Border Traffic Management Plan for the event at Lifford Bridge border crossing in Co Donegal.
Additional resources will be in place to ensure the safety of people attending the rally and visiting Donegal over the weekend.
This includes increased checkpoints, high-visibility patrols and additional marked and unmarked vehicles, Garda motorcyclists, the Garda Air Support Unit
Speaking at the launch, Chief Superintendent Goretti Sheridan of the Donegal Garda Division said: "The cross-border operation is an ongoing initiative and in relation to the rally, both police services are going to be targeting road safety. We’ll be looking at people not wearing seatbelts, using mobile phones, speeding and drinking and using drugs while driving.
"We will also be looking at vehicles to see if they are complying with legislation and whether they’re safe to be on the roads. If they are defective, they will be seized. On both sides of the border, we are asking the public that if you do witness dangerous driving, please contact us with their registration or dashcam footage.
"This is the biggest event of the year in Donegal, and a large number of guards are being deployed here and across the region. We will have extra patrol cars, extra persons on the beat, you’ll see the motorcycles out patrolling. This is a serious, 24/7 operation. Come to the county, enjoy yourselves, respect competitors, respect road users, respect the communities and Keep the Race in its Place,” said Chief Superintendent Sheridan.
PSNI Chief Inspector Ian Ferriby said: "Our Roads Policing Unit will be active in the area, putting in vehicle checkpoints and speed traps throughout the area approaching Lifford and across the other crossing points as well.
"The message we're trying to put out here is to leave the racing to the rally drivers; everybody attend - have a great time. Watch the Donegal Rally, but don't be speeding.”
