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All Roads lead to Killarney for Ireland BikeFest

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All roads lead to Killarney this June Bank Holiday weekend as the town gears up for the return of Ireland BikeFest – the country’s largest, free open motorcycle festival.

Headquartered at the purpose-built Bike Village on the grounds of The Gleneagle Hotel, Ireland BikeFest kicks off today (Friday) and runs for the whole bank holiday weekend.

Festival highlights include guided ride-outs along Kerry’s most famous touring routes including the Ring of Kerry, the Skellig Ring, Caragh Lake and the Dingle Peninsula, marshalled by Harley-Davidson Owners Groups (H.O.G.) from Ireland and the UK .

There’s plenty of activity at the Bike Village too, including retail stands and traders, merchandise, the Harley-Davidson Experiential Zone, food stalls and lots of family fun.

One of the biggest attractions, the custom bike show and awards ceremony, is set to take place on Sunday.

All makes and models are invited to take part. Categories include the Best Bike in the Show, the People’s Choice Best in Show, Best Chopper Prize, Best Trike, Best Classic, Best Special Build, Best Paint and new for this year, Best Adventure Bike.

“Fáilte Ireland is pleased to support this year’s BikeFest as it returns to Killarney," Ciara Sugrue, Head of Festivals at Fáilte Ireland, said. 

"Events such as this are a brilliant opportunity for visitors to experience Ireland’s heritage and culture while taking in some of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way’s spectacular scenery.

“Festivals and events are a key component of Ireland’s tourism offering and they provide unique and compelling reasons for a visitor to choose a destination. They also have the ability to drive footfall for local businesses, supporting jobs and revenue generation. Festivals such as BikeFest 2022 play an important role in the recovery of the tourism sector for Killarney and its surrounding areas.”

The ultimate spectacle is the Sunday morning parade where hundreds of all brand motorcycles rumble through the streets of Killarney before returning to the Bike Village for an afternoon of live entertainment and more festivities.

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Kerry coaches firm honoured with All-Ireland title

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Kerry Coaches named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025

Killarney-based Kerry Coaches has been named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition also marks Kerry Coaches’ second Business All-Star Accreditation, having received its first accolade in 2024.

Founded in 1957, Kerry Coaches has established itself as a leader in the Irish transport industry, known for its exceptional service and commitment to quality.  With a fleet of over 100 modern chauffeur vehicles, mini-buses and coaches the company provides a wide range of transport services, including corporate travel, executive golf transportation and bespoke tours throughout Ireland and Scotland.

 Speaking on the achievement, Mike Buckley, Director of Kerry Coaches, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. It’s a true reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every member of our team. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional travel experiences, and this award reaffirms our position as a leader in the industry.”

Announcing the news of Kerry Coaches’ achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: “It is my pleasure to commend Kerry Coaches for its outstanding performance in achieving the Business All-Star accreditation. After a thorough review, the firm has been honoured with All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company Of The Year 2025. Kerry Coaches is distinguished not only for its superior fleet but also for its exceptional team, some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. This seasoned team brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every client experience is exceptional.”         

Managing   Director   of   the   All-Ireland   Business   Foundation, Kapil   Khanna, said:  “The accreditation, which is now held by over 700 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.”

He   added: “We   evaluate   a   company’s   background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

About The All-Ireland Business Foundation

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class Irish businesses.

As the accreditation body for the Business All-Star mark, the AIBF recognises Best-In-Class Irish 

businesses.   Companies   that   merit   recognition   based   on   an   independent   audit   of   their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

Business All-Star Accreditation Is The Nation’s Symbol Of Trust. Currently, there are over 700 

companies that are accredited by AIBF. Since 2014, over 5000 companies have participated in their programmes.

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Trainee Blacksmith forging a career at Muckross Traditional Farms

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Phillip Pestor-Young, a trainee blacksmith from County Kildare, is currently gaining experience under Master Blacksmith Tom Allison at Muckross Traditional Farms.

Pestor-Young is enrolled in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. This programme is a cross-border educational initiative by the King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, and the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland. 

Prior to moving to Ireland in 2019, Phillip trained as an engineer and fabricator in the UK. He is now developing his blacksmithing skills in Kerry.

For more information on the program, visit https://kings-foundation.org/study/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme/.

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