Principal Blog
Bikefest’s back!
09 April 2026
Bikefest’s back!
It’s as firm a fixture in the calendar as pints on Paddy’s Day.
It’s the time of year when Killarney’s tourist coaches come second to all things two-wheels, as the town welcomes bikes and motorcyclists of all shapes and sizes.
That right. Bikefest is back!
If you were born in the same year that Bikefest first came to Ireland then you’d now be old enough to vote. It’s been around that long!
Indeed, this year is the show’s’ 20th anniversary.
It was first run way back in 2006 as part of the European H.O.G. Rally and there’s been an event in the town every year since then, except for during that pandemic lockdown thing that we’re never, ever, going to mention again.
These days, while the HOG Rally has moved on, Destination Killarney and the associated Gleneagle Hotel now run the town’s very own annual motorcycle gathering.
Bikefest is still supported by Harley-Davidson – the marque is always well represented on Killarney’s streets – and backed by Fáilte Ireland. It also has the highly contested numbers to show that it’s Ireland’s largest outdoor motorcycle event.
All wheels welcome
All bike types are welcome with a significant amount of tall tourers and Japanese sportsbikes making the pilgrimage each year.
This is, in no small part, due to the epic roads and ride-out routes that are in abundance in the ‘neighbourhood’ that is Kerry and West Cork. The place is beautiful!
The gig is based at the ‘Bike Village’, an area in front of the Gleneagle INEC arena and the Gleneagle.
The area will be full of food vendors, retailers – including Waterford Harley Davidson – and the live music stage which is home to a host of different acts all the way through the long weekend.
Every day should be like Sunday
The Sunday morning parade has to be ridden.
Hundreds of bikes do a lap of Killarney, with many of the residents of the town as well as visitors to Kerry coming out to say “hello”.
Test rides will be available on the full Harley-Davidson range.
Bear in mind these will have to be booked and riders will need to present a full licence to take a bike out for a spin.
The when and the wheres?
Bikefest takes place on the 29th, 30th & 31st of May this year.
Rooms in the Gleneagle start at €715 for three nights. Give Velma a call on 0 64 663 6000 to make a reservation.
Other accommodation options can be found on https://www.irelandbikefest.com/
