Once again the Sacred Heart Church, Clones was the backdrop to the 14th colourful, emotional and totally unique Gone But Not Forgotten bikers memorial, which took place on Friday evening last.
To the delight of all, this year, the sun shone brightly from early morning and continued right throughout the day. This was most certainly appreciated by the hundreds of bikers who travelled from all over the country to be part of this event.
Shortly before 8pm, as Fr John Kearns, Archdeacon Helene Steed and Fr Tony Conlan, walked from the sacristy to the main entrance of the chapel, they did so past hundreds of motorbikes parked in every conceivable space around the Sacred Heart Church. The bikes belonging to both priests, a Yamaha Fazer belonging to Fr. Conlon and (of course) a HONDA Pan European belonging to Fr. Kearns were among that group. Fr. John’s ‘Pan European’ would again get a mention from the altar before the night was out.
Of course, there is a very sad and serious side to this colourful spectacle. This was highlighted once again with the reading out from the altar by Tina McCarthy, Co Clare, of the 33 names of deceased bikers being remembered. As lit commemorative candles were brought to the altar, there was a palpable sense of emotion in the air and indeed some emotional scenes as relatives passed the candle to Fr John.
As is customary now, Fr John injected some humour while speaking about the display bikes around the altar. The bikes were a Suziki GSXR 1000 belonging to the late Richard Brown, Enniskillen and a custom built 1978 Suziki GS 750 hard tail chopper belonging to Anthony McGinn, Newbliss. There was also a Honda 929 Street Fighter owned by Ian Davis of Fatboy Fighters, Omagh and a VR1000 Harley Davidson, the only one in Ireland as only 21 were made in the world. This was owned by Greg Kinnahan, from Offaly. There was a Kawasaki 1981 KZ750 custom …..
