15 May 2025

Harleys hit the beach

If life’s a beach, the best life is a beach with bikes.

A week Sunday will see us living that very best life as we slap on the sunscreen and admire the metal at the Principal Insurance sponsored Bike Gathering.

 

Tramore was once a simple fishing village.

Then in the mid 18th century the railway from Waterford was extended to get there and its spectacular five kilometre beach.

The cat was out of the bag and the village became a town, with Victorian tourists enjoying the sunny south east in big numbers.

After a maritime accident in the 1800s three towers were erected to warn seafarers of the dangers to craft.

On the middle one of these there’s a three metre tall metal figure of a sailor.

He’s pointing towards the sea and according to local legend is supposed to call out to vulnerable ships “Keep off, keep off, good ship from me, for I am the rock of misery”.

It’s an amazing piece of ‘functional art’.

But it’s all about that beach, as well as all that the seafront has to offer to the visitor, fairgrounds, souvenirs and cafes.

Tramore also has a reputation as one of Ireland’s premier surfing spots.

These days the town still holds a rightful place as one of the gems of the ‘Sunny South East’.

Prom dressed

OK, to business of a biking kind.

Among events that are held in Tramore is the annual Bike Gathering which will take place this coming 25th of May.

Now in it’s 10th year, this is a major event and the local council facilitate it with road closures and providing dedicated motorcycle parking.

As such, we bikers arrive in numbers of the big kind.

That makes for a fun day in itself as mutual admiration societies form along the lower promenade.

A €10 donation gets you access to the event which includes bike parking, music and even a campsite to put yourself up in!

The first 500 riders get a complimentary patch to remember the weekend by.

Sun, sea & softails

Rather wonderfully, all the money raised is split between two charities, Little Blue Heroes and Waterford Marine Search and Rescue. Both are very worthy causes.

This year the event is supported by Principal Insurance as well as Waterford Harley-Davidson.

WHD will have a full range of bikes available to view and test ride, plus a full collection of accessories and clothing.

For more details, or to book a spin on one of the bikes, give any of the team in the store a call on 0 51 844200.

Principal Insurance, proud sponsors of the Bike Gathering and grassroots biking.

 

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