On Friday, September 11 the largest organised road trip in Europe, the Cannonball Run arrives in to Sligo town at 5.30pm.

Spectators can get up close and personal with 180 of the finest cars on the planet until 7pm and then enjoy the unique festival atmosphere that Cannonball is renowned for.

The action packed Supercar spectacle is held in aid of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. It is coming back to Sligo after a huge welcome in 2014 and excitement is mounting. Sponsored by Manhattan Popcorn, Cannonball goes up a gear once again with 180 supercars and over 150,000 spectators expected to line the streets all over Ireland.

Soap stars Ryan Thomas from Coronation St and Adam Thomas from Emmerdale will be joining celebrity cannonballers this year and some of the most unique cars in the world are being shipped in for the event this year.

The gleaming convoy will drive through 820km of Irish open roads through Dublin, Leitrim, Sligo, The Wild Atlantic Way, Killaloe, Killarney, Cahir and finishing in Wexford.

The gleaming convoy will leave Sligo at 10.30am on Saturday so spectators can enjoy the excitement and spectacle once again.

As well as the cavalcade of Ferraris, Porsches, Aston Martins and more are three even more exclusive hypercars, a Pagani Zonda, a Koenigsegg and a Porsche Carrera GT. These three alone are worth €4 million.

As well as the supercars, some of the novelty vehicles confirmed for Cannonball this year include an authentic DeLorean complete with Doc and Marty McFly, An NYPD Car with full kit, Smokey and the Bandit Truck, The Ghostbusters car and a most unusual Top Gun-inspired car.

The Fleadh could return to Sligo in 2018 and if the local committee submit a proposal to host the event, it would be given serious consideration.

Project Manager with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, Bernard O’Sullivan said “It could come back as quickly as two years.

“The likelihood is it’s going to Ennis in 2016-2017. There’s no reason in the world why [Sligo couldn’t get it again], if they put in a very good bid.”

The Sligo Fleadh Committee have been reflecting on a very successful event, but say the clamour to hold an All Ireland Fleadh now will be even greater.

“The Fleadh could return, but there will likely be a very competitive process for the coming years as more and more towns become interested,” Fleadh committee member Micheal O’Domhnail said.

“It certainly helps the Sligo cause that this year and last went so well and it’s also satisfying to have such enthusiasm shown by Comhaltas, but we’ll have to see what the future may bring… there’s a long way to go before we decide what the next step might be.”

For more on this story, pick up a copy of this week’s Sligo Weekender newspaper. In shops now.

Four cars were damaged by fire in Markievicz Road area of Sligo.

Of the four cars that were damaged, two were burnt out while the other two were damaged as a result of being in close proximity to the blazing vehicles.

The incident is believed to have occurred at roughly 3.30am on Wednesday evening last. Gardaí have yet to make any arrests in relation to the incident but investigations into the criminal damage is ongoing.

It is understood that CCTV footage from the scene is currently being examined by gardaí. Anyone with information is urged to contact Sligo Garda Station on 071-9174900.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident on Monday evening, a car erupted into flames in the car park of Dunnes Stores on Wine Street.

It is understood that the blaze was caused by an electrical or mechanical fault. Gardaí have said that there was no ‘criminality or anything suspicious’ behind that car fire.

A Sligo actress. who has been making waves on our TV screens, is to star in a new international film which recently finished shooting in Ireland and Belgium.

“Brother” stars Elva Trill and well known model and actress Alison Doody as a daughter and mother caught up in a tale of love, revenge and greed.

Alison has herself starred in several blockbusters, playing opposite Roger Moore in the Bond film “A View To A Kill” and starring as the love interest of both Harrison Ford and Sean Connery in the third Indiana Jones film, “The Last Crusade”.

Elva’s star has been on the rise for the past two years, but her big break came in the TV3 drama series “Red Rock” last year. The 24-year-old also has a small part in Jim Sheridan’s new film “The Secret Scripture”, which was partly shot on location in the North West.

And the Ballymote actress will be back on our TV screens next year in RTE’s highly-anticipated period drama “Rebellion” about the 1916 Easter Rising, which will be broadcast next year on the 100th anniversary.

Recently, Elva revealed what it was like to work with Alison Doody. “Alison was lovely, she’s so beautiful in person. We had to do scenes where she was very maternal and warm and you could see it came so naturally to her because that’s what she is.

“She was very supportive. When I was questioning myself, I remember her coming over to me and telling me I did well, which was amazing to have that encouragement.”

“One of the scenes we did was very emotional for her and she just gave it socks every single time,” Elva said.

“There wasn’t one moment when she faltered. She hit every nail on the head. It was a pleasure to work with her.”

A Sligo woman has set a new Irish record in the 24-hour cycling time trials in England.

Sandra Deery took part in the Mersey Roads 24 Hour cycle last month where she clocked up almost 400 miles.

This was her second time to compete after falling just short of the required distance in 2014.

“I did it last year and there is no record in the discipline, but Cycling Ireland told me I had to do at least 384 miles before they would consider it. I didn’t make that target last year, but I decided to go back and do it again this year and I got 394 miles so it will be an Irish Ladies’ record for the 24-hour time trial,” she explained.

“It is an organised event every year called ‘Mersey Roads’ which has taken place for the last 90 years. Each rider heads off at minute intervals and you go on fixed curcuits which form the basis of the race at different times of the day.”

What makes this feat all the more impressive for the Ballisodare native, who is currently stationed in Ballina as a member of the Gardai, is the fact that she had just returned from a long sporting absence just two years ago.

“This was my biggest win yet, I was involved in cycling as a teenager and I done alright then, but I have only gotten back into it in the last couple of years and this was the one I had been working towards, there was a lot of training involved in it but that was main aim and thankfully I got it.

“I started off in the triathlon club when I got back in the sport, then I joined the cycling club. I raced for the Garda Cycling Club as well, but I also race locally with Bottecchia Racing Club where I have done a lot of my training for this.”

After her recent success, Sandra has no plans to return to the UK for any challenges in the near future, opting to cycle locally instead.

“I am still recovering from the 24-hour race. I will be looking at doing shorter time trials over shorter distances and competing locally, but I have no plans to race in England next year.”

Sligo magician and mind reader Shane Gillen is set to make an appearance at this year’s Electric Picnic in Stradbally.

The renowned illusionist, who has performed for TV and film legends such as Kelsey Grammer and Denzel Washington, plans on adding a magic touch to the famous Co. Laois arts and music festival where he will be resident in his own tent for the three-day duration where fans will be given the opportunity to see how his tricks work.

However in order to gain entrance to his tent, named ‘The Magic Mush Room’, a secret entrance must be found which will require festival-goers to channel their inner-sleuths.

Electric Picnic takes place from September 4-6 with over 40,000 people expected to attend.