Festival fever hit the Motor Dealers of Drogheda when the Drogheda Motor Show docked up at the Drogheda quays, where 40,000 people visited the Port.

As the sun shone, each waxed, 152 registration car looked every inch the invitation to enjoy driving again. 11 marques from 8 different Dealers were on display at the entrance of the Irish Maritime Festival. It was a prime location for browsing, discussing and researching the latest in auto technology and design.

The Dealers involved in the show this year included Brian Reynolds Car Sales (Mazda), Smiths of Drogheda (Ford), Malones Garage (Toyota), Jack Doran Motors (Kia and Citroen), Conachy's Garage (Seat), Blackstone Motors (Renault & Dacia), Western Motors (Volkswagen & Skoda) and Holcroft Motors (Peugeot).

"This was another fantastic weekend for the Drogheda Motor Show. It provided a very relaxed approach to car shopping.” said Nicky Smith, Smiths of Drogheda. "In saying that, deposits were taken, serious chats were had about trade-ins and appointments made to test-drive cars in the coming weeks. It was a tremendous success for all involved.”

As the Drogheda Motor Show was celebrating their fifth anniversary, a new element was added to the show. Incorporating wood as the traditional present for a fifth anniversary, the Drogheda Motor Show approached 11 schools as part of the 'DESIGN A CAR - Schools Challenge’. The bare chassis of a wooden model car built by the Drogheda Men's Shed was decorated by each school and put on display among the 152 models.

Each school produced an imaginative, innovative piece of work that made it very difficult for the judges to judge. The four judges - Louth Manager Colin Kelly, Key Sponsor First Citizen Finance's Gerry Hargadon, Ex-Rally Driver Rosemary Smith and Dragons Den Star Gavin Duffy were blown away with the level of detail, thought and creativity that each car had.

First prize went to Tullyallen National School for their Japanese inspired car. As the Japanese car brand Mazda was their partnered marque, they employed a strong 'Hiroshima Spirit' in the design..

Barry Conachy, Conachys Garage Dunleer, concluded "It was great to see old customers and meet new ones. The 152 registration plate is beginning in a few days and all the Dealers involved would like to extend an invitation to those that couldn't make the show to come in and test drive the new models. Our theme was to 'Enjoy driving again' and every Dealer showroom has the latest and greatest models so pop on down."