Cross-border theme to this weekend's road races

Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to Kells this weekend for the annual Adelaide International Kells Road Races, which will include the first leg of the Kells Armoy Cross-Border Championship. Businesses in Kells and Carnaross are gearing up for one of the busiest weekends of the year in the area with a programme of events planned for the weekend. Thousands of spectators are expected in the town from all over the country to enjoy the annual spectacle of motorcycle racing. Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, hosted the launch of the road races at Farmleigh in Dublin last week, which was attended by Deputies Thomas Byrne, Johnny Brady and Damien English, officials from both Kells and Armoy Motorcycle clubs, the cathaoirleach of Kells Town Council, Cllr Conor Ferguson, Kells town councillors and officials from both Kells Town Council and Moyle District Council. Minister Dempsey wished the event every success. "The racing championship and sporting events will further develop a strong, sustainable and genuine cross-border and cross-community partnership between the people of Counties Meath and Antrim. I would like to congratulate Aileen Ferguson and her colleagues for all the great work they put in to making the event such a triumph every year," he said. Northern Ireland Minister for Sport, Nelson McCausland, sent his good wishes, saying: "Road racing is part of the cultural fabric of Northern Ireland and the launch of this championship brings an exciting new concept for motorsport fans here in Northern Ireland and our neighbours in the Irish Republic. Through the Armoy/Kells collaboration, both clubs have benefited from increased promotion of their events. I, with the organisers, every success in making the championship a major fixture in our local sporting calendar and hope the riders enjoy both events and return safely to the finish line." The cathaoirleach of Kells Town Council, Cllr Conor Ferguson, paid tribute to the race organisers and to all members of both the Kells and Armoy clubs and volunteers from other clubs who will act as officials over the weekend. Links between North and South have also been forged through the Adelaide Kells to Kells Rideout which takes place every year from Kells in Antrim to the Fair Green in Kells in Meath. This year's rideout departs from Kells, Co Antrim, at 2pm on Saturday and is due to arrive at the Fair Green in Kells, County Meath, at 5pm with over 400 motorcyclists taking part, accompanied by the Garda Motorcycle Unit. Meanwhile the Bike Fest, which takes place on Saturday, will also be a major attraction over the weekend. Events kick off at 1pm until 9pm and includes a full day's free entertainment. The star attraction will be world stunt rider, Mattie Griffin, who will give three free shows between 1pm and 9pm. BTW Trikes will attempt an Irish record with a display of trikes at the Bike Fest up to 3pm. They will depart on their run and return at 6pm. ABC Motorcycle Training will operate a slow bike manoeuvre course and some of the groups taking part include the Gardai, the Defence Forces motorcyclists, top road racers and local clubs. Honda 50s and trikes will take part in the annual 'Charity Classic Run' in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association, which takes place on Friday 16th July. The Honda 50 Run in aid of 'Here to There Meath Autism' will start on the Fair Green, Kells, at 3pm and riders will travel the Boyne Valley route and return at 6.30pm.