Graves of Ulster Road Racing legends Joey and Robert Dunlop
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- I travelled up to the grave service for motorcycle racing legend and King of the Roads, Joey Dunlop. It was fitting to make the journey on my old 650 Honda Custom. My eldest son Connor who was 14 at the time rode pillion. We travelled up with hundreds of other bikers. Between 50-60,000 folks turned up on the Garryduff Road Presbyterian Church just outside Ballymoney, to pay total respect to a quiet humble man who let his racing bikes and many victories do the talking.
Brother Robert Dunlop also a champion road racer lies in the grave behind Joey. Both gave their all for the sport they loved and both died in the heat of a race. Both are very badly missed by family friends and bike fans everywhere. The old phrase is true. We will never see the likes of them again.
Joey Dunlop
Birth: Feb. 12, 1952
Death: Jul. 2, 2000
Sportsman. He was considered by many to be the greatest ever motorcycle road racer of all time. Born in Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, in 1969 he started his racing career on Irish road circuits. His greatest successes were on the formidable Isle of Man TT circuit, where he won 26 times, a record that still stands today. He was awarded the MBE in 1986 for his services to motorcycle sport and in 1996 he was awarded an OBE for his outstanding humanitarian work for children in Romanian orphanages (he would load up his race transporter and deliver clothing and food to the trouble spots in Bosnia and Romania). As he never publicized his charity work, few knew about it. He died at the age of 48 at the Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa public road course near Tallinn, Estonia whilst leading the 125cc race (he had already won the 750cc and 600cc events) when he appeared to loose control in the west road and collided with trees. His funeral service at the Garryduff Presbyterian Church, Balleymoney, was attended by a great crowd of mourners. (bio by: Paul Narramore)
Robert Dunlop
Married to Louise, the couple had three sons, William, Michael and Daniel. William and Michael are motorcycle racers themselves. On 15 May 2008 Dunlop died after suffering severe chest injuries in a crash during a practice session at the North West 200. The fatal accident happened in the 250cc qualifying as the riders approached the Mather's Cross section of the course. The engine on his motorcycle seized and as a result of mistakenly hitting the brake for the bike's front wheel, which was situated beside the clutch on his specially modified bike, he was subsequently thrown over the handlebars at approximately 160 mph. As he crashed, a following rider - Darren Burns - collided with him suffering a broken leg and concussion in the accident. Dunlop was taken to Causeway Hospital in Coleraine before succumbing to his injuries shortly after 22.00 local time. Dunlop had been racing in the 250cc class that year for the first time since the 1994 Isle of Man TT. His son Michael went on to win the race and dedicated the victory to his father.
His funeral took place on 18 May 2008 at Garryduff Presbyterian Church in his home town of Ballymoney. Dunlop was laid to rest beside his brother, Joey.
Born 25 November 1960
Died 15 May 2008 (aged 47)
Isle of Man TT career
TTs contested 23 (1983-2005)
TT wins 5
First TT win 1983 Newcomers 350cc Manx Grand Prix
Last TT win 1998 Ultra-Lightweight race
Podiums 14
I quote from the 'History of Garryduff Presbyterian Church, ( S Alex Blair, The Banner of the Blue in Auld Garrydoo: A History of Garryduff Presbyterian Church Reviewed by Dr Eull Dunlop )
'The reviewer, here feeling almost burdened by his own surname, realises that the congregational historian's researches were overtaken by not one but two motor-cycling tragedies in which the last, sad, lap led to the meeting-house and burying-ground.
Always keen to highlight local folk who have made their wider mark, S Alex Blair closes this chronicle with profiles of the sporting, speeding brothers, the late Joey and Robert Dunlop. And he does so in a properly modest gear.
That is fitting, particularly when we consider the enigmatic and never overweening personality of Joey, the 'quate' man of privately philanthropic ways who would never have expected 'thar Garrydoo would see the next thing tae a State funeral'.
But, despite an immediate attendance of well over 50,000 and an innumerable broadcast audience, that service was conducted in all the deep strength of the plain Presbyterian style which recognises our common mortality.'
The Dunlop family have paid such a heavy price. Stay safe Michael.
Just when you thought their grief and loss couldn't get any worse another man in the family is killed.
Thanks for calling in. Best wishes
Je just grabbed 2 more wins to bring it to 22. I wonder if he'd quit at 27.
Joey, Robert and Michael all killed in road racing. Michael is the only one left that races.
RIP Joey, Robert and William
Yes indeed Patrick. Thanks for calling in.
And now another one to add beside them, devastated beyond belief, poor Janine little Ella and there unborn baby and the rest of the family circle, may god watch over them all at this time and please keep Micheal and Gary safe on those bikes ♥️
Yes indeed Gillian. This is horrific.
😥😥
Thank you for posting this, "Tucked in behind him" Just like in their heyday.
Hey Martin Your comment means such a lot.
I was in two minds about doing this video. I didn't want to be intrusive and disrespectful.
The achievements/lives of these two guys deserve to be remembered in as many ways as possible. I suppose I did it as well for all the folks abroad who would have liked to have paid their respects but cannot because of distance.
Yes tucked in between.............
Its a very respectful video, yes people all around the world know of the exploits of this wonderful pair of legends and its great to see where they were laid to rest. Thanks again for posting it.
Many many thanks your kind words are very reassuring to me that I did the right thing.
whole family is inspirtion for motorcycling community across the glob. true heroes
I totally agree LM. Thanks for calling in with your excellent comment.
Really are legends and ambassadors for Ireland their families shud be proud as well as sad
Good comment Janice. Yes I think that they are very proud.
Two of the best ambassadors Norn Irn ever had.
+baconsoda
Absolutely Brendan and just ordinary down to earth humble guys. Few people at the time knew that Joey would load up his racing van with clothes etc and set off for eastern Europe in the middle of the night to drive to some wee village to give them out. He slept in the van and ate using a wee stove and then drove home. He didn't talk much, he did.
My father in law was delivering concrete to a site and had a chat with a guy up fixing the house roof. It was Robert getting on with the day job.
No airs and graces.
@@TomMcClean I was lead to believe that Joey collected out of date prescription drugs and distributed them to hospitals in eastern block poor countries Do you know if this is true or not
I'm not sure about the prescription drugs but Joey would load up his bike transporting van with clothes and foodstuffs and drive on his own, away over to eastern Europe. He would stop off and give out clothes to orphanages etc This is well known and documented. He would just take off without any fanfare or anyone apart from family knowing. He slept in the bike van on the way. He did this many times. He was a very quiet man who avoided the spotlight.
@@TomMcClean cheers Tom I have been a fan of road racing since a young kid in the 1960s I have always risen dirt and road Have wanted to attend the IOM etc for years Especially to meet or just see Joey and many other riders Have never been able to afford the cost of the trip from Australia but still hoping to get there one day On my bucket list Cheers Tom
Tom McClean Positive Belfast mostly true, Joey NEVER brought religion into anything and yes he did drive clothes and food out to the Romanian orphanages because he believed that giving money to charities was a waste of time and that most of not all didn’t get there .
Rip boys . Died doing something you all love as the legend road racers. William is with you now in a better place. Full respect to you all ❤
Hi pitbike madness thanks for that.
Tom McClean respect and be well 👍
Wer disliked hat keine Ehre
Da ist jemand totes ⚰⚰
Und das ist traurig
Thanks for that MC. Best wishes from Belfast Northern Ireland
@@TomMcClean you kan German
Hi Tom I just read the news that another Dunlop has been killed, so sad !
Yes Q 2007 dreadful news last night about William, brother of Michael and late Robert's son. William died practising for the Dublin Skerries race. He was only 32.
I'm so annoyed about this I don't even want to read about it or think about it.
Tom McClean what else can you say ? It was news here in oz.
Rip to all of them
Absolutely CC. Thanks for dropping by.
RIP Joey, gone but not forgotten!
Absolutely.
Thanks for calling in.
Greatest respect to the Dunlop family amazing people on and off the track .
Yes David I totally agree. I had huge reservations about doing this video, in that I didn't want to cause the family any annoyance or disrespect the boys. In the end I did it as my own wee tribute and to show expat fans who loved their racing talent where they lie now.
thanks for dropping by with your post comment.
Thank you for posting this. I've been a huge Joey fan since I was a wee girl. Sadly never got to see him race as he died when I was 10. Very touching to see the Dunlop brothers graves. May Joey, Robert and William rest in peace.
A dreadful series of losses over the years for the families TT. I just had to film this video. I'm glad that you thought it was respectful. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh Hills.
I called at the graves a few years ago it was sad to see them both beside each other ,two legends the like we will never see again, they we're both true to themselves all along just wanted to race a motorbike,I first seen Joey at the temple 100 in the 70s what a show they both put on for their fans over many years gbnf
Hey Trevor thanks for calling in with your personal memories. We all thought the boys were indestructable. Sadly they were not.
Tom McClean thanks we will never forget them.
Heartbreaking, now there are 3 graves. I could only imagine their moms going through tragedy after tragedy. One more racing season is coming up and hoping Micheal stays safe. These men put so much on the line. Sending love from India.
Yes indeed P.J. Thesr guys are whizzing by concrete walls on narrow roads with no run off. There is literally no margin for error. They are hitting speeds of 200 mph on roads that are used next day by heavy lorries. They are a breed apart. Unfortunately there are sure to be more deaths. Best wishes from Belfast Northern Ireland. P S Some church friends visited Mumbai a couple of months ago. They said it was a massive city.
@@TomMcClean thanks for the wishes and yes, Mumbai is indeed massive. Long way to go to be a good one though.
Sadly William is now with Joey and Robert. RIP.
Yes another dreadful loss M.R.
Rip Joey 2000 , Robert 2008 , William 2018
Thanks for calling in with that, jtj.
Hugs from Brazil
The boy's fame and popularity is indeed a world wide thing. Best wishes jtj.
I got a wee bit emotional over that video, not ashamed to say it.....Two of the best. My hero's in fact. I rode a bicycle with my pal's quite a distance to Fore Road Races as a young strapping lad to see Joey & Robert race. It was hard to take in that there on front of us working away on the bikes on their knees in a cow field was this multiple world champion along with his brother. It was simply unbelievable that these boys had no airs or graces about them and then stayed in the back of a van for their sleep over. Thanks for sharing that clip...the silence of a graveyard for here lies two absolute legends. May they rest in peace....Look over your boy's Robert..
Showing emotion is showing that you are human and that you care. Showing emotion relieves inner turmoil. Pent up, held back emotion can damage us physically.
These two guys were so normal. They never set themselves up on any pedestal above anyone else even though they had so many home and world racing record achievements between them.
Thanks so much you for your comments heardashot. They mean a lot to me because I wanted so much to be sensitive and respectful and get it right.
I wanted to make this film for people in far away places who followed Joey and Robert and who might not be able to get to be there in person.
I forgot to say that I have another video up on the boys racing memorial statues in Ballymoney.
'
Joey and Robert Dunlop Memorial Garden Ballymoney'.
th-cam.com/video/bubSkB67yR4/w-d-xo.html
You are very welcome Tom. thank you for you're response. I have a 4 year old son now where I sit him on my knee and tell him of Joey & Robert (have two replica helmets that my son does pop on his head now and then where he asks plenty of questions as 4 year olds do) I tell him of these legends where the like of which we will never see again and for me, I grew up with Joey as a hero. I had the pleasure of the handshake, the nod of the head, or the wink through a long fringe of hair where Joey would return the gesture and that made me so proud. So proud indeed for the generations to come will only get to read the records set and ask who were these great men and I can say in my lifetime I was there, I witnessed part of it at the very least and it makes me so happy saying that. Good night and God bless.
What a wonderful post heardashot. We all take away something special when we stand in the presence of greatness. You have those memories of Joey and you can pass them on to your lad.
And God bless you too.
Soo sad poor parents
Absolutely Janice.
r i p kings o d road
Thanks for this N d R
At least they die doing what the loved near 20 years since we lost joey and 12 years for robert still is the king of the road 💙❤️✊🏻
Yes Mark they did. But their familes left fatherless and husbandless have suffered beyond words. Thanks for posting in/Best wishes from Belfast.
Tom McClean Positive Belfast that’s very true no matter how long they have pass away it’s still though god bless the Dunlop family ❤️💙
Is William buried in the same cemetery?
I think so Lukey. Best wishes from the Castlereaagh Hills Belfast. So very sad.
HI Tom can you do a updated video sometime of graves as William is buried next to his dad Robert .
Hi Laddersman, I knew this and you are right I must get back up there and update things. I haven't been north of Ballymena for a while now. All so sad. Best wishes from the Castlereagh hills Belfast
@@TomMcClean thankyou greetings from Blackpool . keep safe .
🙏🙏🙏💓💓💓🙏🙏🙏Classy
Hi Kourosh thanks for dropping by to my wee channel. Best wishes from Belfast Northern Ireland
They were proper Kings of bike racing..... RIP🙏
Absolutely Christipher! Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.
@@TomMcClean cheers from England Tom... 🇨🇮🏴👍
Hi again Christipher. You might be interested in this wee Dunlop video tribute I did up at the Joey and Robert Dunlop Memorial Garden at Ballymoney. This was shot in 2016, before William was tragically killed. There is a statue of him there too now. Best wishes.
Joey and Robert Dunlop Memorial Garden Ballymoney
th-cam.com/video/bubSkB67yR4/w-d-xo.html
Was one of the 50 thousand
We were ther too MM! Best wishes from Belfast Northern Ireland
Hi Tom. I was at both funerals and so sad for the families and aĺl of N Ireland. I watched all the Joey and Ray Mc Cullough battles on the roads in the 70s and 80s. These were the days of real racing motorcycles. Not the production based bikes that race today.
You are right there Thomas. Ray McCullough was some opertor too. I used to follow him a lot. He survived to be with his family. I've seen him at one or two bike shows. Great guy. What can I say about Joey and Robert. Their loss was just terrible.
This is the resting place of 2 true kings, 3 if they have also laid William here? Not sure. Kings of road racing in every aspect. Truly talented beyond the best of riders. RIP Joey, Robert & William also RIP to another favorite of mine David Jefferies
Hi Jacob, Many thanks for your wonderful post. I was in 2 minds about filming the boys' graves as it is a very sensitive thing to do. We travelled up for Joeys' funeral. These boys were fearless. It is so sad they are gone. Best wishes from Belfast Northern Ireland.
@@TomMcClean many thanks to you Tom for being able to view the resting place of 2 hero’s.
So sad.
RIP from Pennsylvania, USA.
Hi bogey19018, Thanks for calling in from way over there in Pennsylvania! Great to hear from you.
Sadly the Dunlop story of motorbike racing glory and death on the road racing circuit doesn't end there. Robert's son william was killed last year.
'William Dunlop (23 July 1985 - 7 July 2018) was a Northern Irish professional motorcycle racer who died as a result of a racing incident. Part of a motorcycle racing dynasty, William was the elder brother of Michael; both were sons of the late Robert Dunlop, and nephews of the late Joey Dunlop.' William sustained fatal injuries as a result of a crash during practice at the 2018 Skerries 100 Road Races in County Dublin.
He is buried beside his dad Robert and his uncle Joey in that wee Garryduff Road Presbyterian Church graveyard just outside Ballymoney Northern Ireland. He was one of Irelands most successful ever road racers. With over 100 wins and as many podiums. He was 33 and left a wife and son. He was a lovely lad.
@@TomMcClean Yes I remember the day it happened, I follow Irish road racing/TT. One day I'll make my way over there to witness such a great sport in person.
The buzz that these boys must get by racing is what keeps them coming back even though they are dicing with death all the time as they complete a road race circuit. There is no other place in the world wher spectators can stand a few metres away from the road side where guys are passing at speeds of !00mph +. Keep 'er lit.
I feel motorcycle road racers are the ultimate racers of all motorsports RIP Dunlop's
You are right John. no other motorbike racer puts his/her life on the line every race like these boys. Unfortunately many racers have lost their lives following their dream and many more are likely to do so in years to come. The stakea are so high and the margin for error so limited. any slight mistake is fatal. Best wishes
@@TomMcClean Thanks Tom cheers from Australia 🤣
Wow John thanks for dropping in from across on the other side of the world. We have relatives on the Australian Gold Coast. Many people like my uncle emigrated over the decades to Australia to try and make a new life. Uncle John left here when he was only 18, that was back in the early 1930s. There was no work here only subsistence farming.
@@TomMcClean I have meet many new comers from overseas Brits Scottish Irish Welsh and other countries Have worked with them in the plumbing / gas industry I think they all settled in well and enjoyed the country I have heard so much about overseas I feel like that I have been there
Rip William
Thanks for that Jason G. Best wishes from Belfast.
Respect...
Thanks for calling in James.
🙏❤️
Many thanks for calling in Endrju. Best wishes from Northern Ireland.