William Joseph Dunlop (25 February 1952 – 2 July 2000) was a Northern Irish roadracing motorcyclist from Ballymoney, County Antrim. In 2015, he was voted Northern Ireland's greatest-ever sports star.
Dunlop lies second on the list of all-time victories at the Isle of Man TT Races. During the course of his career, Dunlop secured a total 26 race wins at the TT, including three hat-tricks, and 24 wins at the Ulster Grand Prix.
Dunlop was awarded the MBE in 1986 for his contributions to the sport and the OBE in 1996 for his humanitarian work in Romanian orphanages. After his death, the Joey Dunlop Foundation was established to provide accommodation for disabled visitors to the Isle of Man. Dunlop's legacy includes the "Joey Dunlop Cup", awarded to the most successful rider at the annual TT races, and several memorials and statues in his honour. Dunlop's career was documented in several films.
Career Dunlop won his third hat trick at the Isle of Man TT in 2000 and set his fastest lap on the course of 123.87 mph in the Senior race, which he finished third. In 2005, he was voted through Motorcycle News as the fifth greatest motorcycling icon ever, behind Valentino Rossi. His achievements include three hat-tricks at the Isle of Man TT meeting (1985, 1988 and 2000), where he won a record 26 races in total. A curve at the 26th milestone on the Isle of Man was named in his honour.
Along with Frank Kennedy, Mervyn Robinson and Jim Dunlop, he was one of the "Armoy Armada" quartet of 1970s motorcycle racers from Armoy, County Antrim.
During his career, Dunlop won the Ulster Grand Prix 24 times. In 1986, he won a fifth consecutive TT Formula One world title; initially based on one race at the Isle of Man TT after the loss of World Championship status from 1977-onwards and organised by the Auto-Cycle Union, the title was eventually expanded to take in more rounds in other countries.Joey’s Last World Title – 30th anniversary special, Motorcycle News, 24 June 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018
Dunlop was awarded the MBE in 1986 for his services to the sport, and in 1996 he was awarded the OBE for his humanitarian work for children in Romanian orphanages, to which he had delivered clothing and food. Dunlop has featured in documentary films regarding his career: V Four Victory (1983), Joey – The Man Who Conquered the TT (2013)Joey Dunlop: King of the TT races The Daily Telegraph, 3 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016. and Road (2014).
Charity work and recognition
Dunlop helped orphans in the Balkans, driving a van loaded with supplies to orphanages in Romania, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina before the annual racing season began. In 1996, he received an OBE for his humanitarian work.
After Dunlop's death, the Joey Dunlop Foundation was introduced, a charity that provides appropriate accommodation for disabled visitors to the Isle of Man.
On 30 January 2015, Dunlop was voted Northern Ireland's greatest sports star by readers of the Belfast Telegraph newspaper.
Shipwreck On the night of 23 May 1985, Dunlop was travelling from Northern Ireland to the Isle of Man for the annual TT races by sea, on board the Tornamona, a former fishing boat. The vessel had departed from Strangford, County Down, with Dunlop, other riders, racing bikes and equipment on board. Strong currents into Strangford Lough pushed the Tornamona onto St Patrick's Rock, where her rudder broke off in a crevice. The boat sank and all 13 passengers and crew were rescued by the Portaferry Lifeboat. The bikes were later recovered by divers.
Personal life Dunlop married Linda Patterson on 22 September 1972 at Ballymoney register office. The couple had five children. He owned a pub in Ballymoney and was known for his superstitions, including wearing a red T-shirt and his yellow crash helmet when racing. In 1993, Ballymoney Borough Council awarded him the Freedom of the Borough.Joey Dunlop OBE (1952–2000) Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. Retrieved 13 February 2021
Death Dunlop died on 2 July 2000 in Tallinn, Estonia, while leading a 125cc race; he had already won the 750cc and 600cc events on the Pirita-Kose-Kloostrimetsa Circuit. He appeared to lose control of his bike in the wet conditions and died instantly on impact with trees. As a mark of respect, the Estonian government's official website was replaced with a tribute to Dunlop within hours of his death. Northern Ireland television carried live coverage of his funeral. Fifty thousand mourners, including bikers from all parts of Britain and Ireland and people from all backgrounds in Northern Ireland, attended the funeral procession to Garryduff Presbyterian church and his burial in the adjoining graveyard.
Legacy The most successful overall rider at the annual TT races is awarded the "Joey Dunlop Cup". A memorial statue was erected in his home town of Ballymoney. On the Isle of Man, a statue of Dunlop astride a Honda overlooks the Bungalow Bend at Snaefell and the 26th Milestone area of the TT course was named "Joey's". A memorial stone was installed at the crash site in Tallinn as well. Irish publishers The O'Brien Press produced a full-colour pictorial tribute to Dunlop following his death. Northern Ireland band Therapy? recorded a song in memory of Dunlop, called "Joey"; it appeared on the album Shameless, released in 2001.
Following his death, the Riada Leisure Centre in his hometown of Ballymoney was renamed the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre.'Architectural drawing, on tracing paper, of the “Ballymoney Sports Centre”, opened as the Riada Centre, now the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre'. Northern Ireland Community Archive, 7 April 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2025
In 2001, the Joey Dunlop Memorial Garden was established in the Dunlop family's hometown and in 2010 the tribute was extended to include the Robert Dunlop Memorial Garden to honour Joey's late brother, Robert Dunlop.Joey and Robert Dunlop Memorial Gardens Discover Northern Ireland. Retrieved 29 June 2021Dunlop family split over memorial gardens plan Belfast Telegraph, 6 November 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2021 On 26 February 2022, a statue of William Dunlop, son of Robert and nephew of Joey, was added to the Memorial Garden. William died while racing at the Skerries 100 event in 2018.Memorial: Statue unveiled of tragic road-racer Dunlop in his native Ballymoney Belfast Telegraph, 26 February 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2022
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Dunlop's passing, a special event titled "Joey 25" took place on 24 May 2025 in his home town. The celebration honoured his enduring legacy in motorcycle racing. The event featured a parade of over 25 of his iconic motorcycles, ridden by successful racers, including World Superbike champions Carl Fogarty and Jonathan Rea, alongside Grand Prix stars Ron Haslam and Jeremy McWilliams. Festivities included a 'Meet the Riders' session, autograph signings, live music and a special memorabilia exhibition at Ballymoney Museum showcasing artefacts from his career."Dunlop tribute 'an absolute privilege' for Rea". BBC Sport, 24 May 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025
On 2 July 2025, a tribute lap of the Isle of Man TT course was held to mark the 25th anniversary of Dunlop’s death. Organised by the Joey Dunlop Foundation, the event invited riders to gather at the TT Grandstand in Douglas for a commemorative ride around the Mountain Course.
Also in July 2025, Arai released a limited-edition RX-7V Evo helmet to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Dunlop’s death. Styled after his iconic yellow and black racing design, only 600 individually numbered units were produced. Each helmet included a 25th anniversary badge, a Shell Oil sticker pack, and a certificate signed by Dunlop’s widow, Linda. A royalty from each sale went to her, and a donation was pledged toward a new monument at the Memorial Garden in Ballymoney.
In August 2025, a pop-up exhibition titled Joey Dunlop 2000 was held at the Mercury Club during the Classic TT, commemorating Dunlop’s final hat-trick of Isle of Man TT victories and featuring memorabilia including his race leathers, trophies, yellow helmet, and the motorcycles he rode to victory in 2000.
Racing record
Complete TT record 2000 Ultra Lightweight1 Lightweight 250 TT1 Junior 600cc4 Formula One TT1 Senior3 1999 Ultra Lightweight27 Lightweight 250 TT5 Junior 600cc5 Formula One TT2 Senior5 1998 Ultra Lightweight TT9 Lightweight TT1 Senior TTDNF 1997 Ultra Lightweight10 Lightweight TT1 Junior TT5 Formula One TT6 Senior TT7 1996 Ultra Lightweight1 Lightweight TT1 Formula One TT7 Senior TT2 1995 Ultra LightweightDNF Lightweight TT1 Junior TT4 Formula One TT2 Senior TT1 1994 Ultra Lightweight1 Classic Junior2 Junior TT1 Supersport 6007 Formula One TT3 Senior TT3 1993 Ultra Lightweight1 Classic LightweightDNF Junior TT3 Supersport 60DNF Formula One TT14 Senior TT11 1992 Ultra Lightweight1 Junior TTDNF Supersport 6009 Formula One TT3 Senior TTDNF 1991 Ultra Lightweight2 Junior TT5 Supersport 6006 Formula One TTDNF Senior TT2 1990 Ultra Lightweight TTDNF Junior TTDNF Formula One TT8 Senior TT16 1988 Production Class B5 Production Class C11 Junior TT1 Formula One TT1 Senior TT1 1987 Production Class B18 Junior 250cc TT8 Formula One TT1 Senior TT1 1986 Production Class C4 Junior TTDNF Formula One TT1 Senior TT4 1985 Production 251–750cc22 Junior TT1 Formula One TT1 Senior TT1 1984 Production 251–750ccDNF Junior TTDNF Classic TT2 Formula One TT1 Senior TTDNF 1983 Senior Classic TT3 Formula One TT1 1982 Classic TTDNF Formula One TT2 1981 Classic TTDNF Formula One TT3 1980 Junior TT12 Classic TT1 Senior TT9 1979 Junior 250cc TTDNF Classic TT6 Formula Two TT13 Formula One TTDNF Senior TTDNF 1978 Junior TT11 Classic TTDNF Formula Two TT5 Formula One TTDNF Senior TTDNF 1977 Junior 250cc TT10 Jubilee TT1 Classic TT7 Senior TT4 1976 Lightweight 250cc TTDNF Junior TT16 Classic TTDNF Senior TT18
Ulster Grand Prix: 24 victories Year Class/Race Machine Average 1979 500cc Suzuki 112.76 mph 1979 Superbike 750cc Yamaha 115.34 mph 1980 250cc Yamaha 107.71 mph 1980 Superbike 1000cc Suzuki 116.39 mph 1983 TT F1 920cc Honda 107.38 mph 1984 250cc Honda 110.55 mph 1984 500cc Honda 118.17 mph 1984 TT F1 Honda 114.28 mph 1985 250cc Honda 111.96 mph 1985 500cc Honda 116.14 mph 1985 TT F1 750cc Honda 114.45 mph 1986 Classic Race 500cc Honda 118.29 mph 1988 250cc Honda 112.30 mph 1990 TT F1 750cc Honda 120.87 mph 1991 Superbike Race1 750cc Honda 118.36 mph 1991 Superbike Race2 750cc Honda 110.87 mph 1992 125cc Honda 102.18 mph 1994 125cc Honda 108.83 mph 1994 Superbike Race1 750cc Honda 123.23 mph 1995 250cc Race1 Honda 117.94 mph 1995 250cc Race2 Honda 118.28 mph 1995 Superbike Race1 750cc Honda 122.25 mph 1997 250cc Race2 Honda . 1999 Superbike Race2 750cc Honda
North West 200: 13 victories Year Class/Race Machine Average 1979 International Match Race 750cc Yamaha 120.01 mph 1979 NW200 Race 750cc Yamaha 120.34 mph 1981 NW200 Race 1100cc Honda 119.83 mph 1983 500 Race Honda 106.05 mph 1983 NW200 Race 1000cc Honda 105.64 mph 1984 MCN Master Race 750cc Honda 107.02 mph 1985 250 Race 1 Honda 110.95 mph 1985 NW200 Race 750cc Honda 118.68 mph 1986 NW200 Race 750cc Honda 108.05 mph 1987 Superbike Race 750cc Honda 113.29 mph 1987 NW200 Race 750cc Honda 118.61 mph 1987 Production Race 750cc Honda 108.77 mph 1988 Production Race 750cc Honda 109.08 mph
Formula TT World Championship Year Result/Position 1980 3rd 1981 3rd 1982 1st 1983 1st 1984 1st 1985 1st 1986 1st 1987 2nd 1988 2nd 1990 2nd
World Grand Prix Championships Year Class Race Position Points 1979 350cc French Grand Prix (Le Mans) 9th 2 1985 250cc British Grand Prix (Silverstone) 10th 1
World Formula 750 Championship Year Race Position Points 1979 Germany (Hockenheim) 9th 2
Macau Grand Prix Year Race Position 1982 Macau 3rd 1983 Macau 2nd
Imola 200 Year Race Position 1987 Italy (Imola) 3rd
World Superbikes (WSBK) 1988