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21 Mar 2026
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21 Mar 2026
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James McShea and Grace O'Brien wrapped up the J1000 Title at the Donegal Forest Rally. Pic by Cian Donnellan
Letterkenny Rally driver James McShea was rewarded for his success last year as he travels to Norway this week thanks to the Craig Breen Foundation prize package for 2026.
McShea secured the J1000 title on the closing round of the Irish Forest Rally Championship season last season at the Donegal Forestry Rally, along with navigator Grace O’Brien.
And as a result of that success, he received a funding package for 2026, along with a driver tuition course in Norway this week and a Pacenote tuition course with 5-Time WRC event winner Paul Nagle.
McShea comes from a hugely successful Rally family, with his father Niall being crowned the PWRC Champion in 2004, his mother Noreen a multiple class winning Navigator and Driver, and his grandfather James McDaid being a legend of Irish rallying.
The 16-year-old, along with Cavan ace Kyle Drury, will head to Norway for the John Haugland Winter Rally School, a legendary training ground for the biggest stars in the sport.
Over two days on a frozen lake, the pair of youngsters will learn a huge amount of car control skills and techniques, as well as join an illustrious alumni list that includes World Champions and previous Craig Breen Foundation supported visitors such as Tommy Moffett, Letterkenny’s Oisin McShane, and Ross Ryan.
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By winning the ultimate feeder series in Irish Rallying, McShea has the added bonus of a trip to Portugal to work alongside Sports&You and test a Hyundai i20 Cup car later in the year.
The Craig Breen Foundation was launched in 2024 after the sad passing of the late World Rally Championship driver, who died while competing in 2023.
It was set up to continue the legacy that Craig began by creating a Prize Package for young rally drivers between 14-18 competing within the Junior 1000 class. The foundation, along with their partners, have given a five-year commitment to supporting the development of future rally stars.
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![Introducing Buncrana’s newest [and youngest] solicitor to court, 5-year-old Rigan!](https://www.donegallive.ie/resizer/165/93/true/2026_03_19/image_%288%29_Cropped-1773928659968.jpg--.jpg?1773928660008 "Introducing Buncrana’s newest [and youngest] solicitor to court, 5-year-old Rigan!")
