Taking the wheel on the North West car scene

From stock cars to modified cars, the car community has become a major part of life for enthusiasts across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds, car meets have grown into social events where friendships are formed through a shared passion for everything about cars.

Founded by Emma, Isla, Clódagh and Bláithín, Car Cuddies is an all-girls car group created to bring female car enthusiasts together, so that members have a welcoming space where they can share their passion for cars, make new friends and enjoy being part of a positive community.

The idea was born from a shared frustration with the amount of travelling often required to attend events.

"We found that most of the groups we were part of were based around Belfast or Dublin, which meant travelling for hours just to attend a meet," explained Emma, one of the event organisers.

"With fuel costs rising and life being busy enough as it is, we felt there was a real need for something closer to home for people in the North West."

The four founders first met through another car group and quickly realised there was a gap in the market for a local community that would make car meets more accessible for enthusiasts living across counties such as Fermanagh, Tyrone and Donegal.

Emma further commented, "We wanted to create a space where girls felt comfortable getting involved in the car scene, making friends and sharing their passion for cars. The support we've received has been incredible and it's clear there was a demand for something like this."

The group's first official meet takes place on June 6, with organisers promising a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for everyone attending.

Attendees can expect a wide variety of vehicles, opportunities to meet fellow car lovers, photographers capturing the evening and even special Car Cuddies stickers. The location, situated along the banks of Lough Erne, has been carefully selected to provide a stunning backdrop for both cars and the photography.

Since launching Car Cuddies, the girls have received immense positive feedback from many girls who have been waiting for a group like this.

"We're really excited to finally bring everyone together in person. The response so far has completely blown us away. We've had so many messages from girls thanking us for setting up the group and saying they've been looking for something like this for a long time."

Although Car Cuddies was founded as an all-girls group, organisers are keen to stress that their events are open to everyone.

"Whether your car is modified, standard, brand new or simply your daily runaround, everyone is welcome," they explained. "We don't judge cars – we're here for the community."

Creating an inclusive environment remains one of the group's core values. The founders recognise that entering the car scene for the first time can be intimidating, particularly for women who may not know many people involved.

"The car scene can sometimes feel intimidating when you're new to it, and we want everyone to feel comfortable getting involved. Women belong in the car scene just as much as anyone else.

"Don't be nervous. None of the four of us knew each other before meeting through the car community and now we're friends for life. Everyone starts somewhere and we'll do everything we can to make people feel welcome from the minute they arrive."

The organisers believe there has been a noticeable increase in female participation within the car community in recent years.

"More and more women are getting involved in the car scene and it's amazing to see," they said. "Whether it's modifying cars, attending events or creating content, women are making a huge impact."

Alongside building a community, Car Cuddies is also using its platform to support charitable causes. The group's first event will raise money for Alopecia UK, a charity chosen because of its personal connection to one of the organisers.

The cause is particularly close to Isla’s heart, having experienced alopecia herself after losing her hair at a young age.

Through sticker sales and future fundraising initiatives, the group hopes to continue supporting a range of charities that are meaningful to members of the community.

Looking ahead, the founders have ambitious plans for the future. While their current focus remains firmly on the North West, they hope to organise additional meets across locations including Omagh, Sligo, Armagh and Fermanagh. They are also keen to collaborate with local businesses, photographers, content creators and the wider car communities to further develop the region's thriving car scene.

Most importantly, however, they want Car Cuddies to remain true to the values that inspired the beginning, "Our goal is to create a friendly, welcoming space where people can make friends, enjoy their cars and feel part of something positive."