Why the Donegal International Rally could be a classic

A five-time winner in the World Rally Championship, a current WRC driver, a three-time Donegal winner and an Isle of Man TT record holder.

The 2026 Donegal International Rally has all the ingredients to be a classic as a host of big names take to the famous stages, which run from Friday to Sunday.

Kris Meeke make a his long-awaited return to Irish rallying while Josh McErlean will take a break from his WRC commitments to take to the Donegal hills.

Callum Devine, the winner of the last three Donegal rallies, leads the charge for the Irish Tarmac Championship regulars as he aims to make it an unprecedented four wins in a row.

While he will not be contending for overall honours, Isle of Man TT record holder Michael Dunlop will swap two wheels for four in his Ford Escort and will no doubt be a fan favourite.

So when the first of 20 stages takes place on Friday, who will lay down an early marker for what promises to be a huge event?

Meeke’s Donegal return

Kris Meeke will make his return in Irish rallying as he takes to the startline in Donegal for the first time in 18 years – and is the star name at this year’s event.

Meeke, who won the last of his five WRC events in 2017, drove a Renault Clio on his last Donegal appearance in 2008 and things are a little different this time around.

Alongside Liam Regan, the 46-year-old will pilot a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 and has already been testing in Donegal ahead of the event.

With tons of natural speed and the experience to back it up, many feel that Meeke will be the driver to beat in Donegal.

McErlean WRC break

While Meeke is of the most famous drivers from his generation, one of the two current WRC drivers from Northern Ireland will also compete in Donegal.

Josh McErlean, who drives a Ford Puma Rally1 for M-Sport in the top tier of the sport, will head to the hills of Donegal in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 in a break from his WRC commitments.

It will be a first Donegal start for the 26-year-old, who used to watch the rally from between the hedges growing up.

With the pressures of the WRC off his shoulders, McErlean and co-driver Eoin Treacy will be one of the favourites to stand on the top step of the podium.

After Donegal, McErlean will head to Greece to resume his WRC campaign.

“In the World Rally Championship everything is very intense, but Donegal feels a little different,” he said.

“Of course we’ll still be competing, but it’s also a chance to take a step back, enjoy the occasion and appreciate what a special event it really is.”

Devine aiming for history

While Meeke and McErlean are big names on the entry list, Callum Devine is arguably the man to beat.

Devine has been unstoppable in Donegal in recent years and his win last year completed a hat-trick of victories on the bounce.

Along with co-driver Noel O’Sullivan and in Skoda machinery, it has proven to be a potent combination.

As well as two wins in four rounds in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, Devine has also returned to the European Rally Championship this year.

If he can win again, Devine would become the first driver to win the rally four times in a row, and he would join the legendary Bertie Fisher and Billy Coleman as second on the all-time winners list, behind Andrew Nesbitt with six victories.

Two wheels to four

Fresh from his heroics at the Isle of Man TT, where he won three races to extend his own winning record at the iconic road race, Michael Dunlop will swap two wheels for four.

Dunlop will drive a Ford Escort MkII in the modified class, and while the historic car will not be challenging for overall victory, they are some of the most entertaining to watch on the stages.

It is not the first time the 37-year-old has tackled Donegal.

On his last Donegal Rally in 2019, alongside current co-driver Mac Kierans, Dunlop was injured in a crash on the iconic Knockalla stage and he had mechanical issues in 2014 and 2015.

In fact, the only time he has finished the rally was in 2018 when he finished 31st overall and 13th in the modified class.

Who else to watch?

As well as the three drivers mentioned above, there are a number of contenders for overall victory.

Josh Moffett is the Devine’s closest challenger in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, while David Kelly impressed as he won the Circuit of Ireland in April and Eddie Doherty has been a consistent frontrunner this season.

European Rally Championship driver Philip Allen, a fan favourite for his all-or-nothing approach, will also be a threat for victory , while Wales’ Meirion Evans will also likely be a challenger.

There is also a welcome return to action for Garry Jennings, who had a career-threatening crash last year at the Cavan Stages.

In Rally3 machinery, there are a number of promising Irish drivers to keep an eye on.

Kyle McBride is competing in the Junior European Rally Championship and will be favourite to win his class on home soil.

Aoife Raftery, who has spent the majority of her year competing in the USA, could continue her strong progress while Johnnie Mulholland and Kalum Graffin will also be in contention.

It promises to be a tantalising battle over three days.