BikeFest 2025
- Maeve Peoples
- May 28
- 3 min read
One of the best two wheeled events on the calendar
Making me feel just that little bit older is the new awareness that Killarneys’ Bikefest first ran a staggering 19 years ago! Since then, it’s run every year other than during that unfortunate pandemic. Now it’s on again this weekend and our good friends at Waterford Harley-Davidson will be up front and centre.
Bikefest 2025 is all kicking off at 10am on Friday this week with most of WHD moving to the Kerry town for three days of the long weekend. Rather interestingly this includes the workshop. A ‘pop up’ store will include a ‘Tech Tent’. Here riders of Harley-Davidsons’ will be able to avail of servicing and trouble shooting any issues that might need attention. This workshop will be staffed by now fewer than four mechanics and bookings for the service can be made by calling the store any day this week.
Meanwhile, the store will have no fewer than 24 bikes on display. These include a fleet of new bikes as well as a selection of immaculate approved used H-D machines and a full range of clothing and accessories.
All of the companies’ machines will also be on site and available to test ride over the weekend. These test rides will be escorted by the local Celtic Thunder HOG chapter. All of the new ’25 machines are available to test ride on site. While these spins are relatively short, the club will also be organising ride outs in the ‘Kingdom’ for half and full days on riders own bikes.
These include one spin out on the epic roads that only the Wild Atlantic Way has to offer and two on the following day, Saturday. Registration for the ride outs is available in person on Friday or Saturday morning. With a briefing will begin at, the more than acceptable, 9.45 am.
The event rounds out with the Custom Bike Show with prizes in a number of categories. This display has always been a wonderful display of some of the very best bikes in the world from all across Europe. For the first time indoors and under lights, showing the bikes off to their very best in the INEC just down the street from the centre of the action.
Speaking of the centre of the action, there will be a full bar as well as stage where a host of bands will be performing from early in the afternoon until the ‘wee hours’.
A ‘suit’ from the Gleneagle Hotel in added, ‘The real attraction of this fiesta is the “craic”, goodwill and convivial atmosphere for all. From bikers to non-bikers or even aspiring bikers, visitors, tourists, families and locals, BikeFest has something for all. The festival allure can best be described by broad smiles and good humour as everyone soaks up the atmosphere in the Bike Village located 1 mile from Killarney town centre, on the Muckross Road, on the grounds at Gleneagle Hotel. Add in an action-packed, fun-fuelled programme of events and activities, three live music stages day and night, coupled with the opportunity to ride the twisting tracks around the mountains, high above the celebrated Killarney lakes and running alongside the Atlantic Ocean, on world-famous routes such as the Ring of Kerry and the Wild Atlantic Way, it’s a weekend away like no other.’
We’ll be there, say hello if you’re coming along and don’t forget that this is a motorcycle event and all riders of all brands and types of bikes are more than welcome.
