Overview
This corner garden in the middle of Ballymoney, County Antrim, holds three motorcycling monuments to one family: Joey Dunlop, his younger brother Robert, and Robert’s son William – all road racers, all killed racing. Joey, ‘King of the Roads’ and holder of 26 Isle of Man TT wins, is the reason most people stop, and his bronze shows him astride his Honda rather than standing on a plinth. It’s free, open from dawn to dusk, and takes about fifteen minutes to walk round. Treat it as a short, deliberate stop rather than a destination in itself.
A Racing Legacy
Northern Ireland has long been synonymous with circuit road racing, and the Dunlop family sits at the heart of that tradition. Born in Ballymoney in 1952, Joey Dunlop earned the title “King of the Roads” through a career that yielded 26 Isle of Man TT victories, 24 Ulster Grand Prix wins and 13 North West 200 titles. He was awarded an MBE in 1986 and an OBE in 1996, recognising both his sporting excellence and community work. Following his fatal accident in Estonia on 2 July 2000, an estimated 60,000 mourners gathered in Ballymoney for his funeral. The town council responded by opening this memorial garden in May 2001.
Joey’s younger brother, Robert Dunlop, pursued a parallel career with multiple victories across the same premier circuits. After Robert was killed in a qualifying crash on 15 May 2008, the adjoining Robert Dunlop Memorial Garden was opened on 8 May 2010, with a polished granite obelisk and a bronze likeness of the rider. The tribute to the family continued when William Dunlop, the third generation, lost his life at the Skerries 100 on 7 July 2018. A life-size statue of William was unveiled in February 2022, placed close to his father’s monument.
What to See & Do
The garden is laid out with clear, accessible paths that wind around mature shrubs and low-maintenance planting. Visitors typically follow a simple loop, pausing at each of the three distinct memorials:
- Joey Dunlop statue – The centrepiece: a bronze of Joey astride his Honda racing bike, set against established greenery.
- Robert Dunlop memorial – A polished granite obelisk alongside a bronze likeness of Robert, in the adjoining section.
- William Dunlop statue – A life-size figure unveiled in February 2022, placed close to his father’s monument.
- Plaque wall – A wall of plaques setting out Joey’s championship and race wins, worth a read if the names on the statues mean anything to you.
Benches are scattered throughout the grounds, encouraging visitors to sit and reflect. The space also functions as a designated waypoint on the Ballymoney Heritage Trail, connecting it to the town’s wider historical and cultural sites. Because of its central location and level pathways, the garden is regularly visited by school groups and coach parties exploring the region’s sporting heritage.
Practical Information
Opening hours & admission The garden is open daily year-round, including public holidays, from dawn until dusk. Entry is completely free.
Getting there The garden is at the junction of Castle Street and Seymour Street in the town centre; coming off the A26 Frosses Road, follow the brown tourist signs. Parking is the one snag – spaces right by the entrance are limited and can be awkward for blue-badge holders, so you may end up in the off-road parking behind the gardens and walking the last short stretch. Ballymoney railway station is a short walk away, and local buses serve the town centre regularly.
Accessibility The garden itself is level, with paths wide enough for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Getting from a parking space to the entrance is the harder part (see above) rather than the garden itself.
Contact For general enquiries about visiting Ballymoney, you can reach the local visitor information service on +44 (0) 28 2766 0230 or visit the official tourism page.
Nearby Attractions
The garden sits within easy walking distance of several other points of interest:
- Ballymoney Museum – A short stroll away, housing local history exhibits and a dedicated collection of motor-sport memorabilia.
- Town Hall Arts, Museum & Visitor Information – Offers exhibitions, event listings and a helpful information desk.
- Riverside Park – A larger green space along the River Bann, ideal for a longer walk or picnic.
- Joey’s Bar – The Dunlop family pub is close by, and an obvious follow-on for anyone who came for the racing connection.
- Local cafés and pubs – Several independent venues line Castle Street and the surrounding lanes, handy for a coffee or a bite after your visit.
The Dunlop family’s achievements are often discussed alongside the Armoy Armada, a celebrated quartet of 1970s riders from the nearby village of Armoy who helped put Northern Ireland on the global road-racing map.