Michael Dunlop was awarded the Irish Motorcyclist of the Year, and it is well deserved. He is back in action for 2026 with a full schedule for the roads in Ireland and the UK, with some races abroad.
The evening saw a very large number of people from the world of motorcycle racing, including riders, team owners, sponsors, organisers of BSB, and Irish Road racing. Here are some of those attending, who received various awards and recognition. Rhys Irwin- Casey O’Gorman-Jonathan Rea-Davey Todd-Emma McQuaid-Carl Phillips- Cole McCullough-Jeremy McWilliams-Mervyn Whyte-David Allingham-Adam McLean- Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, who gave out some of the awards. Phillip McCallen-Stephen Davidson (photography)- Michael Laverty-Stuart Hicks (BSB)-Glen Irwin-Eugene Laverty-Jason Lynn- Clive Padgett received an award to mark his 50 years of involvement in motorcycling. Carl Phillips-Phillip-McCallen- Sophie Ferguson, Jack Kennedy, to name a few. This is a prestigious ceremony attended by hundreds of people from a wide range of disciplines, including road racing, short circuit racing, trials, motocross, quad biking, endurance racing, World Superbikes, and former MotoGP riders.
Maybe I should have been clearer, After a Dunlop who else is there who deserves the title. Nominate anyone Irish, if you want but I have a feeling not many of these race motorcycles!
I am sorry to say you have either not read my post correctly, or have little knowledge of current Irish motorcycle racers, forged from the early days of the Armoy Armada. Current active racers to name a few, are as follows. Glen Irwin, also to return to this year's NW200, as well as all rounds of BSB, Jack Kennedy, multiple BSB Supersport championships, Rhys Irwin active BSB rider, Jeremy McWilliams, current road racer and ex Moto GP winner, Casey O’Gorman, Lee Johnston BSB Supersport, and previous TT racer etc, etc., as well as a plethora of talented female racers, road racing Scrambles and trials. A number of these professional racers also received various awards at the event. There are a lot more Irish motorcycle racers than you may think.
Sure are around the North coast you will or did always see the racers out there testing and racing their bikes. As a kid i loved it and boy did they roar.
A return to an almost full schedule of Irish road racing confirmed. Plus the North West 200, and I hear a possibility for the Ulster Grand Prix. Loads of upcoming Irish road racers have expressed an interest. I expect they will have a full grid at each race.
