“This couldn’t happen without the incredible support we get across the board” 

31/08/2026

With the growing legend that is the annual Full of the Pipe, it’s always a case of the more thing change the more they stay the same. Each staging of Ireland’s premier truck show gathering is invariably bigger and better than the previous one and that was definitely the case in 2026! 

In glorious sunshine and amid an electrifying festival-like vibe, the 2026 edition of Full of the Pipe went down a storm at Mondello Park over the weekend of July 11th-12th. Everything about the show this time was nothing short of sensational and co-organisers Kevin Mulqueen and Colin Hegarthy attribute this to the wonderful unconditional support, assistance and buy-in received from too many to mention: 

“We got the weather and we got everything else as well,” Colin reflected as the dust started to settle on a spectacular thrills-filled show that’ll command a rent-free space in the memory for a long time to come. “It really was a fantastic show, a fantastic weekend, fantastic atmosphere. We had massive support all around and an event like this couldn’t happen without the incredible support we get across the board. 

“We had trucks from every corner of Ireland. We had trucks from Scotland, the UK, and as far away as Holland. The presentation of the trucks was on another level, we had the incredible weather, activities on the track and live music to give it a festival-style vibe. The Danny Byrne Band played outside and there were lads cooling down with pools set up and it really was a joy to witness and to be a part of. 

“There was not only a smell of polish in the air but also a smell of sun cream. All in all, a fantastic weekend with a great vibe. People travelled from all over to be part of it and it was each and every one of those people who made the show the occasion it was and the success it was.” 

Although two decades of dedication and hard work from Kevin and Colin have been invested into making the show what it is today – with the 2026 showcase standing out as the best yet – the former takes none of this for granted: 

“We really appreciate the buy-in and time and money and effort that people put into attending and taking part in the show,” added Kevin. “We couldn’t do it without the support and help of Thomas and his team on the ground, our wives Barbara and Patricia, Finbar and the judges, all the traders and sponsors and the trophy sponsors. It takes a lot of input from a lot of people to make this happen.” 

While the photos, videos and striking overhead aerial shots of the show that flooded social media during and in the immediate aftermath of Full of the Pipe gave an indication of how amazing the show was, it was definitely a case of having to be there to get a grasp of how special it all was explained Kevin. 

“Colin is more the man on the ground – and Thomas and his team – whereas I’m more looking after the trade, so I don’t get to see everything all the time, but when I drove around the track at midnight on the Saturday night, I couldn’t believe the scene that greeted me – the turnout of trucks that was there, how they were presented and the remarkable job Thomas and the team on the ground had done. Without those 30 people, this couldn’t happen. The logistics involved are massive … to get all the trucks in and registered and washed and parked up. 

“You have to facilitate and accommodate all of that, make sure you are mindful of lads who are going back on the ferry on the Sunday, and also lads who want to be parked beside other lads for the weekend. A lot of work goes into all that and it’s all down to the team and preparing prior to the event – knowing from prior experience what’s going on, what’s potentially coming down the line, what’s happening and what’s needed.” 

Full of the Pipe got lucky with the weather again … although glorious sunshine mid-July probably shouldn’t be that much of a surprise! “It can be very hot and uncomfortable for people travelling but for the people on the ground and at the show itself, it’s perfect. At the end of the day, it’s all about those lads. It’s an opportunity for them to come off the road for a couple of days and let their hair down, forgetting about fuel costs and all their other worries and just getting on with it and enjoying themselves. Lads would say to me that they’d met other lads on the road many times but never actually spoke to them until they got talking at Full of the Pipe, so it’s a ‘meet and greet’ in many respects.” 

This year, more so than any other, there was so much entertainment to keep everybody occupied as Full of the Pipe became an adrenaline-filled action-packed weekend. “There was a lot going on. You had the trucks, obviously, and the trade village and the music and the festival vibe. There was also the Trialstar motorcycle stunt show, the motorsport action courtesy of Wayne Elliott Engineering, the truck head-to-head, decibel challenge and the truck and trailer reversing competition. There were a lot of factors there and we really stepped it up as a show. 

“Trucks are still at the centre of it all but it’s not just about trucks but thrills and spills for everybody coming in. We’ve upped the ante for the public coming in, and the truckers, and we’re doing whatever we can to make sure people are really getting value for their money. It was a hectic weekend and a very enjoyable weekend.” 

Full of the Pipe has taken on a life of its own and all roads now lead to the 20th year edition in 2027. “We’ll secure a date and start preparing for next year,” says Kevin. “It’s the highlight of the calendar in Ireland now – people really look forward to it and so do we. It takes time to make it all happen and we’ll start the process again soon. 

“This show is for the people and it’s about the people. We absolutely appreciate the support we get from every truck and trucker that comes through the gate, that people take time off to attend the show and take time to get their trucks ready, which incurs big expenses on a lot of people. 

“You can see that investment of time and money in the way the trucks are presented over the weekend. The presentation is what we really like and appreciate more than anything: the trucks are not just parked, they are presented.”