Bikers, Tony Murphy, Freemount, Peter Bulava, Joe Crowley and Tom Regan from Duncannon, Wexford pictured at Rossbeigh, for the launch of the 9th Ireland Bike Fest, the country’s largest motorcycle festival which runs this June Bank Holiday weekend and is based in Killarney.Photo: Don MacMonagle.
IRELAND Bike Fest, the country’s largest motorcycle festival, returns to Killarney this June Bank Holiday weekend and up to 40,000 people are expected in the town for the event.
“It is one of Ireland’s fastest growing festivals,” says Breffní Ingerton, Festival Chairperson. “Just over 1,000 people attended the first festival back in 2007 and this year we expect upwards of 40,000 over the course of the weekend.”
“Word of the spectacular ride-outs along the Wild Atlantic Way and the electric atmosphere of the Bike Village has spread throughout the biking community and every year more and more people arrive from all over the world.”
The event is headquartered at The Gleneagle Hotel with a Bike Village, located on the grounds of The Gleneagle, the main hub of activity. Here visitors can browse the many trader stands selling all kinds of specialised biker wares or dine at one of the festival’s many food outlets.
The Village is also the base for the daily Ride-Outs along the Wild Atlantic Way – marshalled by Celtic Thunder Chapter Ireland and Gaelic Chapter Ireland, the free Harley-Davidson® demo rides, the Waterford & Dublin Harley-Davidson® Dealers, H.O.G.® & Rider Services, Jumpstart, the Technical Area and the Custom Bike Show.
It is also the ideal spot to sit back and relax after a day’s touring and listen to the live bands and DJ’s perform on the festival’s outdoor stage.
Ireland Bike Fest is renowned for its line-up of free live entertainment which takes place across three stages. This year’s packed programme includes performances by The Unusual Suspects, J90, R&B, Blue Moose, Hell Raiser, Newfoundland, Hells Bells, Crossroads66, The Small Hours, Sin Iad, Live Lizzy and Devious.
The Parade through the streets of Killarney will once again take place on the Sunday morning and there will also be the opportunity to win a Harley-Davidson® in the raffle in aid of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland.
Ireland Bike Fest Killarney takes place from May 29 to June 1, 2015.
