Holiday homes tribute to Joey

Linda carried out the poignant duty at Joey Dunlop Foundation House at Braddan Bridge on the Isle of Man with 15-time TT winner and current 'King of the Mountain' John McGuinness.

She told how she was amazed by the transformation of the facility following her last visit in March.

"It is absolutely wonderful because I was over here in March and it was just a pile of rubble," a delighted Linda said.

"When I came up here this afternoon I couldn't believe it was the same house and we're just so proud of it.

"I have my five children over as well for the opening and it's something that we can bring the grandchildren to see.

"It's going to be lovely to keep coming back and see the people who are visiting.

"We'll be able to bring the children here on holiday and they will be able to bring their friends from school here as well to see this wonderful house."

The newly completed accommodation includes three self-contained flats. A lift has also been installed and a balcony provides a unique view of the TT course towards Quarterbridge and Braddan.

The renovation work was carried out by volunteers and Linda thanked them for their endeavour and commitment to see the project through, nine years after the JDF was established.

"We're really proud of everything that has been done and I want to say a big thank you to all the people who have worked really, really hard over the past year," she said.

"They have done so much fundraising to pull in whatever money they could and sometimes it was one step forward and two steps back, but we have finally got here.

"It's great to see the end result and it was worth all the hard work."

Joey is hero-worshipped on the Isle of Man, where he remains the most successful rider in the history of the world famous road race, with 26 victories.

The 48-year-old was tragically killed following a crash at Tallinn in Estonia in July 2000, weeks after he notched his third TT hat-trick, which included a famous triumph in the Formula One race.

Linda said: "Joey was very proud of those three wins in 2000 and that Formula One win was something that was very close to his heart and I'm just glad that he was able to do it."

Fundraising activities are continuing to enable the purchase of furnishings and additional equipment for the new facility on the island. It is hoped that the first guests will stay there later this year.

* More information about the Joey Dunlop Foundation and a planned memorial lap in his memory on the Isle of Man in July can be obtained by visiting www.joeydunlopfoundation.com, where donations can also be made securely online.