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See Killarney BikeFest photos of a splendid weekend for biking enthusiasts

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See Killarney BikeFest photos of a splendid weekend for biking enthusiasts

Meet ‘Blossy of the Green Wolves MCC’ at Ireland BikeFest. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.

Bikers Paradise… Cathy Masterson and Tom Dolan at Ireland BikeFest. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.

Alice Thompson with her children, Siún and Finn Spellman, at Ireland BikeFest. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.

Rockin’ the night away, at Ireland BikeFest – the country’s largest, free open motorcycle festival. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.

Virgis Kraptavicious, left and Biker fanatic Liam, at Ireland BikeFest. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.

Bikers Ming O’Shea, left, Dave Crawford and Wayne Power enjoying the first day of the June Bank Holiday weekend return of Ireland BikeFest. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.

Biker Mossie O’Leary, at the first day of the June Bank Holiday weekend for the return of Ireland BikeFest. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.

Bikers Paradise… Ireland BikeFest – the country’s largest, free open motorcycle festival where the Bike Village located on the grounds of The Gleneagle Hotel, drew huge crowds. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.

A special night for Mary Fuller, (2nd left) who retired from teaching post at Killarney Community College, with her colleagues, Marie O’Donoghue, Edwina Duggan, Laura McLarnon, Maire Spillane, Denise Fitzgerald, Dympha Healy, at Ireland BikeFest. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.

Hair Raising…Families enjoying the boat ride at Ireland BikeFest on the grounds of The Gleneagle Hotel. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.

Roisin O’Connor at BikeFest in Killarney. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan.

Fiona Crowley, left, Aine O’Donoghue, Breda Ní Shúilleabháin, Ciara Ní Shúilleabháin and Sinead O’Sullivan at Ireland BikeFest on the grounds of The Gleneagle Hotel. Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan.

The Muckross neighbourhood at Ireland BikeFest – the country’s largest, free open motorcycle festival. Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan.

Catherine Fleming, Colm Ó’Súilleabháin, and John Fleming at Ireland BikeFest. Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan.

Artiste and INEC production team, Cathal O’Flaherty, taking part in the annual Ireland BikeFest parade on Sunday which was lead by this years Grand Marshal and comedian John Bishop. Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan.

Taking part in the annual Ireland BikeFest parade on Sunday– which was lad by this year’s Grand Marshal comedian, John Bishop. Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan.

Taking part in the annual Ireland BikeFest parade on Sunday. Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan.

Paul O’Sullivan, Dermot Murphy, Martin Dewhurst and Noel McGlynn at the Bike Village located on the grounds of The Gleneagle Hotel.

Karen O’Sullivan, Sinead Sugrue and Ciara Ní Shúilleabháin at BikeFest.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae as the passenger taking part in the annual Ireland BikeFest parade on Sunday.

Grand Marshal of Ireland BikeFest, John Bishop.

Matthew Quinn meeting his hero, Grand Marshal of Ireland BikeFest, John Bishop, comedian, presenter and actor.

Grand Marshall of Ireland BikeFest, John Bishop leading out the annual Ireland BikeFest parade on Sunday. Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan

© Kerryman

When all’s said and done, BikeFest was everything it promised and more. The picturesque town of Killarney was home to a cavalcade of the country’s largest and most flamboyant range of motorcycles that never fails in attracting public attention.

The purpose-built Bike Village located on the grounds of the Gleneagle Hotel was base camp for scores of people making their way to admire the bank holiday weekend spectacle. It’s a truly unique setting as bikers in their thousands from around the world make Killarney their capital for three days.

Among the main festival highlights this year were the guided ride-outs along the Ring of Kerry, Skellig Ring, Caragh Lake and the Dingle Peninsula.

Back at the Bike Village there were four stages, each with live entertainment, trader stands, merchandise, the Harley-Davidson Experiential Zone, festival food, and family fun. This worked out a treat as it served as a brilliant focal point for hardcore biking enthusiasts as well as curious passersby.

The comedian John Bishop proved a popular Grand Marshall at Sunday’s parade when large crowds lined the footpaths to witness hundreds of motorcycles rumble through the streets before returning to the Bike Village for an afternoon of live entertainment and more festivities.

One of the biggest attractions of the weekend was the custom bike show. The categories included Best in Show, Best Harley-Davidson, Best Non Harley-Davidson, Best Adventure, Best Stock Custom, Best Chop/Radical, Best Classic, Best Paint Bright Work, Best Three Wheel/Trike, Best Special, Best LOH, Best Rat and Best Streetfighter.

Fáilte Ireland gave its support to Ireland Bikefest as it believes it’s a unique and immersive visitor experience that motivates both international and domestic visitors to choose a destination while helping drive the sustainable development of the tourism sector.

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