Hard to believe but it’s 10 years since the very first Drogheda Motor Show took place. This year’s event on Laurence Street was to be a big celebration with music, family-fun and lots of fabulous cars.
The COVID-19 pandemic could have forced the cancelation of the Drogheda Motor Show 2020, but instead Drogheda Motor Dealers got creative. On Saturday next, 25th July, they will host a live 2 hour chat show from the Droichead Arts Centre. The ever-popular Gerry Kelly will meet some famous faces and local characters, all of whom have a story to tell.
The show will be free to view on the Drogheda Motor Show website www.BrandNewDrive.ie.
Tune in for music from Modern Love, Hannah O’Brien and Music at the Gate. Discover how local shopkeepers are adapting to life after lockdown. Hear all about future plans for our local team Drogheda United. Find out how golfing legend Des Smyth is re-working team plans for the Ryder Cup.
Meet the Nature Detectives, the Phillips family, who’ve used lockdown to share their love of nature with families across the region. Mum and Dad Olivia and Peter Phillips along with Rose, Emily and Annabelle might just fill you in on how orphaned owls Vincent and Oscar are getting on.
Mentalist Keith Barry will be talking motors and magic with Gerry and even has a few tricks up his sleeve.
The show is brought to you by the Motor Dealers of Drogheda and is proudly supported by First Citizen Finance, SIMI, Drogheda & District Chamber and Louth County Council.
Car lovers will enjoy all the latest motoring trends in a good chat with journalist Tony Conlon. Chris Hanlon of First Citizen Finance and Emma Mitchell of SIMI will join Gerry on the sofa to talk car finance and fuel options for drivers.
There’ll be lots more great interviews including authors Nicola Pierce and Nicola Cassidy, foodies Tara Walker and Maria Flynn, Volunteering with Gráinne Berrill, Arts Centre Director, Collette Farrell and Ayesha and Emran from Drogheda Youth Theatre.
The online chat show, on www.BrandNewDrive.ie has two charity partners, Down Syndrome Ireland Louth Meath Branch and Malta Services Drogheda. Everyone who donates to the fundraising will automatically be entered into a draw to win a €250 Shop Local voucher.
And speaking of shopping local, you’ll also find out how to get cash back on your shopping with Tapit. Sick of loyalty cards and collecting points? Gavin and Garrett from Tapit will explain how shopping local will put money back in your bank account.
Looking for a great second-hand car? Tune in to find out how you can shop for the very best from local dealers.
Speaking of the Drogheda Motor Dealers, throughout the show you’ll get to meet the local people behind each of the dealerships. They’ll tell you about their business and share their top motoring and safety tips.
But perhaps the highlight of the night will be a searingly-honest and heart-warming interview with Pat and Pamela Harty. Pat spent 15 days on a ventilator earlier this year, battling COVID-19. He and Pamela will share their story of illness and recovery on the show, on the very day that they celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary.
Show producer Karen Devine of WhiteLight Consulting is encouraging locals to tune in. “Advances in technology have allowed us to move the Motor Show online for 2020. But the real magic of this show is that we get to showcase amazing people from our local community and tell their stories. We are thrilled to work with the Drogheda Motor Dealers to develop such a creative solution for the 2020 event. Tune in to www.BrandNewDrive.ie on Saturday 25th July from 7.30pm for two hours of chat and craic with Gerry Kelly and all his guests.”
There are 11 local franchised motor dealers bringing this special event to the public, comprising of 17 car brands. These are Brian Reynolds Mazda & Fiat, Colm Quinn BMW & MINI, Jack Doran Motors (Kia & Citroen), Smiths of Drogheda (Ford), Windsor Drogheda Peugeot, Conachy’s Garage (Seat), Western Motors Drogheda (Volkswagen & Skoda), Malones Toyota Drogheda, Drogheda Car Sales (Hyundai & Suzuki), Blackstone Motors (Renault & Dacia) and McCabe Car Sales (Mitsubishi). The supporters of the virtual 10th Birthday Bash are First Citizen Finance, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), Drogheda & District Chamber and Louth County Council.
Stay informed using #BrandNewDrive on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Visit the newly launched website, www.BrandNewDrive.ie where social distanced showroom visits can be booked with your preferred dealership, now that the 202 registration plate has arrived.
How can you experience the event? Simply go to BrandNewDrive.ie or the LMFM Facebook Page at 7.30pm on Saturday 25th July!