Biggest line up ever for June’s BikeFest

BikeFest Killarney returns this June 2 to 5 with a fantastic line-up of free entertainment.

It is set to take place at festival headquarters in The Gleneagle Hotel. This year’s programme features the biggest and best line-up yet taking in three stages - the Main Stage INEC, the Outdoor Stage in the Bike Village, and The Harley Bar.

Expect all the rock classics on the Main Stage at the Gleneagle INEC Arena where some of the greatest tribute and cover bands on the planet are set to perform including Rock Rising, Metallica Reloaded, JoanOvArc, The Unusual Suspects and festival legends and internationally acclaimed AC/DC Tribute Hells Bells. New for 2023 is Glasgow’s folk supergroup Mec Lir who are set to make their Ireland BikeFest debut on the Main Stage on Saturday night.

Outside, in the purpose-built festival Bike Village, the Outdoor Stage will host a marathon of live music with performances by Springsteen – A Tribute, Renovator, Johnny Gallagher and The Boxty Band, The Vibe, All Folk’d Up, Rattle and Hum,

Celestial sounds of Dawn Chorus to be live-streamed

The celestial surrounds of Muckross Abbey, along with the 6th century monasteries of Innisfallen Island and Skellig Michael, will provide the perfect amphitheatre to this years' ‘Dawn Chorus’.

It will be presented by the Conservation Rangers of Killarney National Park, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on Saturday May 6, with the live stream beginning at 5am on Killarney National Parks Facebook page.

The cloisters of Muckross Abbey, where it will be live-streamed, with its centre piece 500-year-old Yew tree, will come alive with bird song, just before 5am - 30 minutes either side of the sunrise in May. The territorial call begins with a song of a robin, followed by the soft tones of the blackbird, then song thrushes, wood pigeons, wrens, warblers, sparrows, and finches. This years' Dawn Chorus is led by Regional Manager Southern Division NPWS, Eamonn Meskell, Regional Manager Killarney National Park, Danny O’Keeffe, and Conservation Rangers Mary Sheehan, Padruig (Brac) O’Sullivan, Sam Bayley, Jess Burkitt, Sean Forde and

Tricia Beecher.

The live stream event will include bird expert Sam Bayley, identifying bird song of Skellig Michael - the popular puffin, kittiwakes, gannets and razorbills. Sean Forde and Jess Burkitt will identify bird song on Innisfallen Island. In addition to the bird song, live music will be performed by Derry and Rosie Healy and renowned accordion player Bryan O’Leary. INEC expert audio technicians Kieran Somers and Denis Lovett, will have installed microphones and audio equipment in various locations ready for the live stream.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase our work as Conservation Rangers, choosing the ecclesiastical sites of Innisfallen Island, Muckross Abbey and UNESCO Heritage site of Skellig Michael to record and live stream the bird song is a privilege," Mary Sheehan, District Conservation Officer NPWS, said.

"It serves as a reminder of how the monks lived their lives in silence and in song - devoted to God and to nature. We encourage people to pop in their earphones and listen to the bird song while walking ‘Darkness Into Light’ on Saturday morning.”

No Strings Attached, Cash Returns and Bowtie. And that’s not all! Favourite bikers’ haunt The Harley Bar is set to host Two Time Polka, Super Céilí and The Small Hours.

Ireland Bikefest is renowned as one of Europe’s premier free open motorcycle festivals and is a firm favourite of bikers, aspiring bikers, families, visitors and locals alike. Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world are expected to visit the picturesque town and county to make the most of the fantastic scenery, touring routes, hospitality and festival atmosphere.

Ireland BikeFest Killarney is supported by Harley-Davidson UK and Ireland, The Gleneagle Hotel, Fáilte Ireland, Destination Killarney Ltd., authorised Harley-Davidson Dealers, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Kerry County Council.

To keep up-to-date with festival news as it happens check www.irelandbikefest. com.

Set against the relaxing backdrop of live piano music and served in the warm and contemporary surroundings of The Peregrine, expect a scrumptious feast of scones, cakes and pastries and a selection of expertly prepared savouries, all with a fusion of flavours that pay tribute to the long-standing tradition of Afternoon Tea.

Reservations for afternoon tea in The Peregrine are now open for select Sundays in April, May and June 2023. Bookings can be made from 1.30 pm to 3pm, subject to availability.

Sunday 7th May – 2pm