Fermanagh bikers take to the road for Gary and Brendy

The memorial was organised by the Lynch family in memory of two beloved family members – Gary Lynch, who died 20 years ago in New York in a motorbike accident, and Brendy Lynch, who died unexpectedly this year.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Donagh woman Millie Lynch said: “The run was organised in memory of my brother Gary, who died in a motorbike accident, and in memory of my uncle Brendy, who died earlier this year.

“We had previously done a run to mark 10 years since Gary died, and we decided to do one for 20 years as well.

“My uncle had died during the Covid pandemic, and his wake was during the pandemic, so we wanted to do something to remember him.

“Brendy had been in New York with Gary when he had died, and the two were very close.

“If Brendy was here he would have been leading the run, but my uncle Kevin rode Brendy’s bike as the first biker on the run.

“James, Brendy’s son, also was on the run, sitting behind someone,” she added.

Along with Brendy’s wife, Jenny, Millie chose two charities to donate the proceedings to.

Millie chose the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance, as she had been an admirer of Dr. John Hinds, who had campaigned to have the Air Ambulance service installed in Northern Ireland until his death, and he was heavily involved in the Irish road racing scene as a doctor.

Jenny chose to raise proceeds for ‘4 Lil Jake’s Sake’ – a fundraiser for a young boy from Lavey, Co. Cavan, who is battling a form of brain cancer known as Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Paying tribute to Gary and Brendy, Millie said: “My brother Gary was just lovely, and the two of them were just the best of friends.

“Brendy was great, and when he came back from New York, we always said he would live forever.”

The Lynch family were grateful for all the riders who came out from Fermanagh, Leitrim and beyond to celebrate the two men.

The total money raised for each charity is still being counted and will be announced soon.