24 bikers remembered in Memorial Mass

Crowds flocked to 17th Annual Bikers’ Memorial in Clones, writes Brian MacUaid, PRO,  Bikers Memorial Committee.

The unique memorial, in its 17th year had the weather on its side. Cloudy at times, but with long spells of sunshine, the organisers only wish that it be dry was thankfully realised throughout the day.  Bikers from every part of this island aimed their machines for the Co Monaghan town. The church was again packed  and as many, if not more outside, the scene was now set for this emotional but heart lifting occasion.
As the 8pm start time approached on Friday evening, motorbike parking around the Clones church was at a premium with every conceivable space taken up with bikes of every possible make and style. Upwards of 340 motorbikes were in attendance.
Any doubt a first-time visitor may have about the uniqueness of this event are immediately dispelled on entering the church. An amazing display of motorbikes greets you from the altar. All aspects of biking are covered with this display. 
The memorial started with the names of 24 bikers’ being called out by Teresa Boyle. Candles representing the deceased bikers’ were carried by family members to the altar where they were placed for the duration of the service.

Among those remembered was Stephen Fisk from Summerhill, who died in a motorbike accident at the Port Tunnell in Dublin in February. His family will receive the candle.

For the second year only a new but very touching moment, one the committee feel is representative of the Bikers’ memorial ethos, Sinead McCabe introduced the memorial plaques and a helmet, waistcoat and boots belong to bikers killed over the years. She said: "In the late 1980s, the original plaque was designed by John James McDonnell to commemorate the many young people, including his brother Brendan, who died as a result of motorbike accidents. Since the founding of this memorial event that plaque has been central. Sadly, as a result of all to frequent motorbike deaths, we’ve had to commission the second and third plaque you see here tonight. Each picture represents the devastation suffered by families of the deceased bikers. We thank all of you here, for your presence, as a show of support to those devastated families."
Sinead’s daughter brought up a helmet that belonged to her uncle, Damien McCabe. 
Deborah carried the waistcoat of her husband Malcolm ‘Horse’ Fox. He was a a hard working man whose family and friends meant everything to him. He sadly lost his life at 26 years old almost 19 years to the day from the Memorial.
Bernadette Dunne then brought boots that belonged to Kenneth (Kenny) Dunne, Edenderry Co Offaly. Kenny died off his Yamaha R6 on 15 September 2015. He was just 24 years old.  
Finally for this section came a picture of Dwayne Millar, which was carried up by his son Nathan.  Having flown back from England to attend the 2014 memorial, Dwayne was tragically killed on his bike shortly after leaving the Mass.

 

Fr John Kearns then introduced the display bikes. This year we were treated to another fantastic display of machines on the altar. Anyone who has any interest in motorbikes know the name Dunlop. And this year the memorial displayed bikes belonging to three Dunlop racing legends. Joey, Robert and William. While it was a wonderful display, it was also a desperately sad reminder of the high cost with all three sadly killed doing what they loved, racing bikes. 
First up as Joey Dunlop’s Honda RS 250 Irish Championship winning bike. Sitting across from it was a 1984 EMC 250 raced by his brother Robert Dunlop. Both bikes owned by Cleaver Browne. In the middle was 2017 Tyco Suzuki 1000cc Super Bike raced by Robert’s son William. The bike owned by John Burrows racing. A great but emotional collection. On the extreme left of the altar Fr John introduced a beautiful Harley Davidson belonging to Bryne Maine. For a third year in a row, committee member John Crawford of ‘Fatboy Fighers’ had another wonderful custom bike, built by himself specifically for the Bikers Memorial. On the extreme right was another very emotional bike to all at the memorial. Dwayne Millar, whose picture was brought up earlier, had his Honda Fireblade displayed with the permission of his family. Once again a very thought provoking display.

  
As a first for the memorial Fr John introduced to the huge crowd Big Mountain Productions and John Toal from the BBC who were attending and recording the memorial. A programme on the memorial will hopefully air in the autumn of this year. The service came to an end the hugely social aspect of the memorial came to the fore. With bikers and families milling around the bikes and plaques on the altar, sharing stories, renewing friendships and taking pictures of the loved ones on the plaques. It takes over an hour for the church to empty after this wonderful occasion.
Speaking afterwards, committee PRO Brian MacUaid stated his thanks to all ‘those who spoke to and made themselves available to speak to BBC Gaeilge to describe just how unique and positive this event is to them’. He concluded with a ‘go raibh mile maith agaibh gach duine’.
It fell to committee member John Crawford to put on record their statement of thanks to all those who attended and participated and made the memorial possible. 
‘Bikers Memorial committee wish to record our thanks to all who came from far and wide just to show your support to our bereaved families and friends. To those who took part in the various roles, plaque, candle and gift bearers, the fantastic singers and musicians, Dez Murphy, Tiernan O’Brien, Martina and David Bell. To the readers, Aimee Boyle and Hugh Holland we are forever in your debt. The participation of so many, from all over the country, help make the memorial what it is. To Fr Dick Mohan, PP and the Parish of Clones for yet again affording us the use of the fantastic Sacred Heart Church. In particular we would like to thank Aidan Gavin for his assistance through out. This year we'd like to thank those who agreed to speak to the cameras about the memorial and their experience of it. A special thanks to Big Mountain Productions and John Toal from the BBC for attending. We look forward to seeing the footage they filmed when it's broadcast. On the altar we'd like to thank the young mass servers. We pay tribute to Fr. Tony Conlon who again travelled from Dublin to be with us. And of course, Fr. John Kearns, so much of what the Bikers Memorial has become has been due to his total belief in the aims of the memorial and his willingness and energy to do what's needed. He is indeed a great advertisement for the memorial but also bikers as a community. It has been remarked that we are a small committee, that is true. However, we are privileged to have a large number of bikers who are ready and willing, at short or even NO notice, to fill any role that needs filling. Too many to name, but you all know who you are. The memorial could not run without their input and assistance. Finally, to each and everyone who attended, the riders of all of the hundreds of bikes we saw parked around the church. It is your presence that gives so much support to grieving families A huge thank you to everybody. Keep biking, keep safe and we will see you all again in 2020. Míle buíochas gach duine’ concluded the Tyrone man.