Project to develop memorial garden for deceased bikers ‘over’ for now

The committee behind a proposed memorial garden for bikers in the Clones area have expressed their disappointment that the project is “over”; although a local councillor is still keen to find an alternative site.

The Gone But Not Forgotten committee issued a statement (see in full below) after the local authority decided not to proceed with developing the memorial at Páirc Séamus MacCába in Clones. The project hit an “insurmountable obstacle” when it emerged that the vast majority of residents within a 5km radius of the proposed site did not want it at that location.

The matter came up for mention at the latest meeting of the Ballybay-Clones Municipal District meeting, having been previously discussed ‘in committee’ at the February meeting of the local authority.

The site assessment for the memorial garden came up as part of MD coordinator, Matthew Lambe’s report at last week’s MD meeting.

It informed that the elected members had received a presentation from the Paul Hogarth Company on the public consultation and the survey results regarding the proposed National Bikers’ Memorial sites in Clones.

“The survey indicated a high level of support for a memorial in Clones. However, after careful consideration, the elected members have decided not to proceed with Páirc Séamus MacCába as a location for this proposed memorial. Members of the executive met members of Gone But Not Forgotten last week to discuss the report contents,” the written report stated.

Sinn Féin representative Pat Treanor emphasised how 90% of survey respondents wanted to see a memorial in Clones.

He clarified: “It wasn’t that we as elected members neglected the high level of interest.”

“The memorial is for generations of people who passed away suddenly. There are people in this area who are still mourning the loss of loved ones. Submissions indicated a high level of support, it’s important that we continue to try and find a suitable site.

“There were over 1,200 submissions, a very high level of interest in the memorial. I think we as a council need to continue to engage with the bikers and do everything possible, to find a fitting (location).”

The district co-ordinator noted that “a very frank discussion” was had when the MD met with the Bikers’ Memorial Committee for a follow-up meeting on Friday, March 13.

“The way it was left, 89% of people surveyed within a 5km radius didn’t want it within Seamus McCabe Park. It is a sensitive and quite divisive issue. The bikers want it there, but the survey didn’t show an appetite for it (there), but somewhere else in Clones.”

Cllr Treanor said that there was solidarity with those who had lost loved ones off motorbikes. “We need to work with the group, a lot of people were very offended during the campaign. I don’t think it is something we should abandon. The group put together a great proposal for the town. We need to try to do more.”

He concluded by saying that there a lot of wakes and funerals for deceased bikers and that a memorial would provide solace to those left behind.

Meanwhile, the Bikers’ Memorial Committee is determined to make the 23rd Annual National Bikers’ Memorial the most positive it can be.

This year’s memorial will take place in Clones on Friday, May 15.

Following that, the committee say they will return all donations made to the National Bikers’ Memorial project over the past four years.

The annual memorial and mass has been taking place in Clones for more than two decades, spearheaded by the late Fr John Kearns, best known to many as ‘The Biker Priest’. He passed away in December 2021 but the tradition continues for the bereaved families of many who died tragically on the country’s roads.

‘Good’ idea hits ‘insurmountable obstacle’ - committee

The Clones-based Bikers’ Memorial Committee issued the following statement to The Anglo-Celt last week:

‘The Bikers’ Memorial Committee wish to thank each and every one of you who have supported the National Bikers’ Memorial/Leac Chuimhneacháin Náisiúnta an Ghluaisrothaí project over the past four years. Unfortunately, the project has now hit an insurmountable obstacle, and we must admit, with huge disappointment, that it is over.

‘Our plan now is to return all donations made to the National Bikers’ Memorial project. Donations were made in a variety of ways, individual, group, club, event and business. We have a record of all and will return each one. This will understandably take some time, and we ask for your patience in this regard.

‘For now, we will concentrate on making the 23rd Annual National Bikers’ Memorial the most positive it can be, as it has been, in all previous years. We hope to see you all in Clones on Friday, May 15th, 2026, at 8pm. After this year’s memorial, the job of returning donations will begin in earnest.

‘Once again, our huge thanks for your support over the past few years of this project. We really appreciated it. The idea of creating a national memorial for our departed family members and friends was, and is, a good one; perhaps, in the future, another community and committee will succeed in bringing it to fruition.

‘A full update will be provided in due course.

‘Thank you all very much/Go raibh míle maith agaibh.’