Joey 25 Exhibition & Celebration event
45 Castle Street, Ballycastle
14th May 2025
47 Castle Street
23rd June 2025Joey 25 Exhibition & Celebration event
Thousands come to see new Joey 25 Exhibition, a tribute to motorcycling legend Joey Dunlop, at Ballymoney Museum in May 2025.
Over the month of May around 8000 visitors have come to see the free exhibition commemorating 25 years since the passing of one of Northern Ireland’s greatest sporting icons.
Joey Dunlop, born in Ballymoney in 1952, was revered as the “King of the Roads” and his extraordinary career boasted 26 Isle of Man TT wins, five Formula One World Championships, 13 North West 200 victories, and 24 Ulster Grand Prix triumphs.
Beyond his racing prowess, Joey was honoured with an MBE in 1986 and an OBE in 1996 for his humanitarian work with children in Eastern Europe. The Joey 25 Exhibition celebrates his enduring legacy as a local hero and global ambassador for motorcycling.
The exhibition showcases a unique collection of artifacts and memorabilia, many on loan from the Dunlop family archives and others loaned specifically for this display.
Highlights include rare photographs, racing leathers, trophies, and personal items that chronicle Joey’s remarkable journey.
Of particular note is the racing leathers Joey wore during the 1981 Isle of Man TT, where riders wore all black as a protest. The exhibition also features the very gloves Joey wore when he lost the tip of his left-hand ring finger in a crash during the 1998 Tandragee 100 race meeting.
Visitors will be able to explore restored and original motorcycles from his illustrious career, alongside interactive displays and video tributes that capture his courage, humility, and passion for the sport.
The official launch was attended by Joey’s wife, Linda Dunlop, and many of the Dunlop family, who joined Councillor Ciarán McQuillan, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, to open the exhibition which will run daily Monday – Saturday 9am-5pm until Saturday 30th August 2025 (excluding bank holidays).
The Joey 25 Exhibition is part of a series of events commemorating the 25th anniversary of Joey’s passing and Jamie Austin, Councils Museum Officer said: “Thank you to Linda and the Dunlop family for sharing their cherished items with us for this iconic exhibition.
“I would also like to thank William McComb and Ian Waddell who have loaned bikes that Joey rode for the exhibition, in addition to Clifford Stewart who has also kindly loaned motorbike memorabilia and bikes to the museum which will be showcased as part of a display on the history of motorbike racing.
“The Museums team is very much looking forward to showing members of the public this exhibition and the legacy that Joey has left for us all.”
On May 24, 2025, the Joey 25 Celebration took place which saw almost 3000 visitors to the Joey 25 exhibition at Ballymoney Museum.
Members of the public who attended were able to purchase a souvenir programme or Joey 25 souvenir t-shirt as well as enjoy a “meet the riders” session, autograph signings, live music, and additional entertainment.
The day culminated in a special parade lap featuring 25 of Joey’s bikes ridden by some of the world’s top motorcycle racers. Led by Joey’s daughter Donna McLean and Michael McCammond, husband of Joey’s youngest daughter, Joanne, the riders were cheered by fans lining the streets, excited to see the iconic racing bikes.
Racing stars in the lineup included World Superbike Champions Carl Fogarty and Jonathan Rea, Grand Prix stars Ron Haslam, Jeremy McWilliams and Eugene Laverty, British champions Leon Haslam and Adrian Coates, North West 200 record holder Alastair Seeley, BSB standout and NW200 superbike king Glenn Irwin, and 11-time Irish champion Michael Swann.
Double World Formula 2 Champion Brian Reid joined Joey’s former teammates, rivals, and friends, including Alan Irwin, Trevor Steele, Con Law, Raymond McCullough, and Leslie McMaster, for this one-of-a-kind anniversary event.
Leading the dazzling contingent of road racing talent was world record holder Ryan Farquhar, alongside multiple Isle of Man TT and North West 200 champions John McGuinness, Michael Rutter, Bruce Anstey, Phillip McCallen, Ian Lougher, Adrian Archibald, and Ian Simpson, as well as Irish champions James Courtney, Denis McCullough, Steve Cull, and Michael McGarrity.
The Joey 25 exhibition will be open to the public until the end of August 2025.
