NW Truck Fest to roll on despite fuel turmoil that caused Waterford cancellation

The North West Truck Fest is expected to go ahead in Letterkenny next month despite concerns over the ongoing fuel crisis that has already forced the cancellation of a similar event in Waterford.

Organiser Robert Brown told Donegallive.ie that plans remain on track for the long-running Donegal show, which is scheduled for 30 and 31 May on the Neil T Blaney Road.

A truck show that was due to take place in Waterford in May was recently called off because of the fuel crisis and protests arising from conflict in the Middle East. However, Mr Brown remains hopeful that the Letterkenny event will proceed as planned.

“It’ll be going ahead, hopefully, it’s brightening up bit now,” he said over the ’phone on Thursday.

This year marks the 20th edition of the North West Truck Fest, which has raised significant sums for charity since it began. The chosen charities for 2026 are Cancer Care West and the Irish Cancer Society.

“I wouldn't have a clue,” Robert says modestly when asked to estimate how much the show has raised for charity over its 20 years. “Thousands, tens upon thousands probably.”

Read more: Photo gallery from the 2025 North West Truck Fest

Traditionally staged in August, the festival has moved to the Whit Weekend, 30-31 May, this year.

“There was often too much going on in August, so we set a new date for it this year,” Robert explained. “It's a holiday weekend, so it’ll give drivers a longer weekend.”

The event has built a loyal following over two decades and regularly attracts drivers from across Ireland and beyond.

“It's always been very well supported by drivers from all over,” he said. “I think we're the longest-running truck show in Southern Ireland. There's a few longer-running ones in the North.”

Mr Brown said the origins of the event were deeply personal.

“I came up with the idea of running a truck show more than 20 years ago. My daughter, who has since died, had MS and I wanted do something to support MS charities.

“I’m a truck driver myself, and it was the only I knew that I could do.

“I used to go to truck shows in England and different places, and saw how they operated, so that’s where I got the idea to do this.”

The first North West Truck Fest was held at Milford Mart in 2006. This year will be the show’s third year based on the Neil T Blaney Road site in Letterkenny.

Mr Brown organises the event alongside his partner Annmarie Brogan.

Like many in the haulage sector, he admitted recent weeks have been difficult amid soaring fuel costs and uncertainty.

“We’re struggling,” Robert says when asked about working as a haulier during the fuel shock. “I was worried about the show, but it’s settled a bit now and hopefully it’ll be OK to go ahead.”