Sunday, November 6 saw the coming together of bikers from a wide area to remember Fr. John Kearns – the Monaghan priest who passed away on December 20, 2021, at his home in Garrison, Co. Fermanagh.

It was aimed to mark what would have been the popular cleric’s 65th birthday, which was on Tuesday, November 8.

Organised jointly by the Bikers’ Memorial Committee and the Border Lords MCC, Fr. John was an active member of both in his life.

As a native of Corcaghan, Co. Monaghan, it was to the large community centre there that bikers began to gather from 9:30am onwards.

November is not known for weather that encourages outdoor events, but the bikers were not to be put off by a poor weather forecast.

Fr. Kearns’ family were to the fore in the centre as they greeted the arriving bikers, with the tea/coffee and refreshments that was provided courtesy of the generosity of the Kearns Family. 

As the time to start out approached, bikes were still making their way to the Monaghan village.

However, anxious to start on time, the newly elected Chairperson of the Bikers’ Memorial Committee, Annmarie Marshall – in a role held by Fr. John until his death – called on all in attendance to follow her to Fr. John’s graveside. 

In her emotional speech at the graveside, Mrs. Marshall said: “From his arrival in Clones it was apparent that John’s love was for bikers and biking.

“He was always there for bikers, and now we’re here for him, to show our appreciation of what he did for us.” 

After the Vice-Chair of the Bikers’ Memorial Committee, Mick Hoare, laid a wreath at the grave, Mrs. Marshall spoke to the large crowd about the route to be taken, and the reasons why it was chosen.

Stops at the Sacred Heart Church, Clones and St. Macartan’s church, Aghadrumsee in Co. Fermanagh were chosen as the original and the current churches used for the annual memorial for deceased bikers.

Referring to Fr. John, the Fermanagh woman told the gathering that these places are “where his heart lay; this is where he brought many people together and gave many people hope”.

She continued: “I cannot convey the passion and love he had for the Bikers Memorial and what it represents.”

The run would then go to, and finish, in Garrison, Co. Fermanagh, “where he spent his last few years and, not surprisingly, became as popular a priest there as he was in Clones”.

The bikers then made their way back the short distance to the community centre, where the morning silence was broken by the noise of the massive number of bikes starting up.

In all, an estimated 160 bikes took part, marking a huge show of respect for a local man, priest and biker alike who had a huge impact on an enormous number of people all across the country.

Border Lords MCC took the lead positions as the convoy of bikes, of every shape and make, set off on the journey of remembrance, respect, and celebration.

With a dozen motorbike marshals taking up positions at all junctions between the start and finish points, the colourful, loud and memorable spectacle made its way safely and efficiently to the Bilberry restaurant, in the centre of Garrison village.

Once again, the bikers were met by the Kearns family, who welcomed each and every one inside for soup and sandwiches, with their generosity really appreciated by all the bikers.

Vice-Chair Mick Hoare particularly thanked the Kearns family for their generosity in providing “all the food” the participants had enjoyed since “tea in Corcaghan, until the lovely food here in the Bilberry”.

The Galway native thanked all those who had taken part, and the Border Lords MCC for the great joint effort that the run was, adding: “It was great working with them, and the smooth running of the day was a testament to that co-operation.”

Finally, on behalf of the Bikers’ Memorial Committee, Border Lords MCC, Mr. Hoare announced that all the money raised would go to a charity close to the late Fr. John’s heart.

Friends Of Cancer Care had been a huge support to the biker priest in his struggles with cancer over the years.

In a previous run organised in 2018 to support Fr. John in his illness, he spoke eloquently of the help that Friends Of Cancer Care provides to so many people, and how he was delighted to donate the money then raised to this worthy charity. 

This time around, more than €2,700 was raised on the day – a figure that is still rising as further donations come in.

The committee, with the Border Lords MCC, will soon announce a final figure via its social media and local media outlets, and looks forward to handing the funds to the charity that meant so much to the late Fr. John Kearns.