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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.
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 Formula TT 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 , 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).
After Dunlop's death, the Joey Dunlop Foundation was initiated, 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.
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 2021 Dunlop 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 Motorcycle, 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 Helmet 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.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 1980 | 3rd |
| 1981 | 3rd |
| 1982 | 1st |
| 1983 | 1st |
| 1984 | 1st |
| 1985 | 1st |
| 1986 | 1st |
| 1987 | 2nd |
| 1988 | 2nd |
| 1990 | 2nd |
| 1979 | 350cc | French Grand Prix (Le Mans) | 9th | 2 |
| 1985 | 250cc | British Grand Prix (Silverstone) | 10th | 1 |
| 1979 | Germany (Hockenheim) | 9th | 2 |
| 1982 | Macau | 3rd |
| 1983 | Macau | 2nd |
| 1987 | Italy (Imola) | 3rd |
| British (Donington) | 3rd race 1, 5th race 2 |
| Hungary (Hungaroring) | 6th race 1 |
| Germany (Hockenheim) | 7th race 1, 5th race 2 |
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