Overview
You don’t need a driving licence to drive a rally car at Rally School Ireland: just a booking and closed-toe shoes. The school has run since 1999 on a purpose-built course in the drumlins near Scotstown, County Monaghan, where an instructor rides in the passenger seat while you learn to throw a car around without a speed camera or oncoming traffic in sight.
First-timers should start with the half-day rally experience. It’s the cheapest way in, it puts you through three very different cars, and the raw, unassisted Mk2 Ford Escort teaches you more about weight transfer and controlled slides than anything newer.
The track and the team
The school has operated since 1999 and bills itself as one of Ireland’s longest-running motorsport facilities of its kind. The course runs in all weathers: rain and wind are treated as part of the rally experience rather than a reason to cancel, and the team only get in touch ahead of time if conditions turn genuinely unsafe. Over the years the circuit has been upgraded with better runoff, sightlines and spectator areas.
Vehicle fleet
The fleet is deliberately varied, each car chosen to teach a different kind of driving. Instructors sit beside you for every lap.
- Mark II Ford Escort – the rear-wheel-drive classic, raw and unassisted; the best teacher of weight transfer and controlled slides, and the usual starting point.
- BMW E30 (325i) – rear-wheel-drive, smooth and predictable, a natural step up.
- Toyota GT86 – light, agile and front-engined rear-wheel-drive, all about precision.
- Mini Cooper S Works – front-wheel-drive and nippy.
- Subaru Impreza Turbo – the turbocharged four-wheel-drive rally icon, all instant grip and shove.
- Toyota GR Yaris – the modern four-wheel-drive equivalent, with a razor-sharp chassis.
- Porsche 911 – rear-wheel-drive, held back for the advanced packages and team challenges.
- Nissan 350Z – a purpose-built drift car, set up for going sideways.
Helmets and balaclavas are provided, and every session opens with a safety briefing.
Driving experiences
Packages are structured by lap count, vehicle mix and duration. All prices are per person and include instruction, safety gear and track time (prices at the time of writing).
- Rally Driving Experience – Half Day (€295) – 18 laps across three cars (Mark II Escort, BMW 325i, Toyota GT86). Ages 13+.
- Toyota GR Yaris Rally – Half Day (€385) – 24 laps, progressing from the Escort and GT86 to the GR Yaris. Minimum age 16.
- Toyota GR Yaris Rally – Full Day (€550) – 42 laps across the fleet, including the Escort, BMW 325i, GT86 and GR Yaris. Minimum age 16.
- Subaru Rally – Half Day (€385) – 24 laps taking in the Escort, GT86, BMW 325i and the turbocharged Subaru Impreza. Minimum age 16.
- Rally & Drift Experience – Half Day (€295) – 18 laps combining rally stages with the Nissan 350Z drift car. Minimum age 16.
- Porsche Top Team Rally Challenge (€350) – a competitive group format (minimum four people) where the fastest driver of the day wins a stage in the Porsche 911. Includes lunch.
- Stage Rally Licence Course (€475) – a six-hour day for drivers working toward a Motorsport Ireland stage-rally licence, with timed stages and advanced instruction. The school is one of only a handful registered to run it. Minimum age 18.
Gift vouchers cover all the experiences, can be bought online or by phone, and are valid for 12 months.
Corporate and group events
The facility regularly hosts corporate team-building days, stag and hen parties and milestone celebrations, taking between 1 and 30 drivers with flexible scheduling for larger groups. The on-site conference room has Wi-Fi and projection, so a morning meeting can lead into an afternoon on track. Catering runs from light snacks and hot drinks to customised menus for bigger bookings, and photography and video packages are available.
Accessibility and visitor information
Rally School Ireland follows a detailed Access Welcome Guide. The reception, waiting area and café are on the ground floor with step-free access, there’s an accessible toilet in the main building, and ramps lead to the office and tea room. The elevated viewing tower does not have wheelchair access, but staff are trained to help visitors with mobility needs and can arrange a familiarisation visit before booking. A defibrillator is kept in the staff kitchen beside reception, first-aid personnel are on duty during all sessions, and assistance dogs are welcome.
The track is loud, with constant engine noise and changing weather, so anyone sensitive to noise may want ear defenders or noise-cancelling headphones. Quiet areas are available on request, and the school can provide a Sensory Story document in advance.
Planning your visit
Location and travel
The school is at Gola English, Scotstown, Co. Monaghan (Eircode H18 Y638), signposted from the N2 and R185, about two hours north of Dublin and a similar run from Belfast. There are 50 free parking spaces on site, plus areas for coaches and helicopters. It’s remote, though, and public transport nearby is thin, so come by car if you can; taxis can be arranged from Monaghan town.
Booking and preparation
Bookings go through the school’s website. Mid-week slots are the most flexible and weekend dates fill quickly, so book at least a week ahead. Wear comfortable, closed-toe footwear and layers. Some cars carry height and weight restrictions, listed during booking.
Nearby stays and attractions
Several hotels are within a 10–20 minute drive:
- Sliabh Beagh Hotel & Tourism Centre (5 mins)
- Hillgrove Hotel & Spa and Four Seasons Hotel & Leisure Club (10 mins)
- Castle Leslie Estate (20 mins)
Afterwards you can walk off the adrenaline at Hollywood Lake about 3 km away, take on the trails at Rossmore Forest Park near Monaghan town, or visit the Carrickmacross Lace Gallery to see the craft that once trimmed Princess Diana’s wedding dress.
Book at least a week out for a weekend slot, wear flat closed-toe shoes, and turn up 15 minutes early for the briefing and gear. The Escort will have you sideways before lunch.