Thousands of fans lined the streets of Lusk near Dublin yesterday to honour the memory of Martin Finnegan, who was killed at the Tandragee 100 road races on Saturday.
The 29-year-old was buried at St. Maccullin's Church.
Isle of Man Tourism and Leisure Minister Adrian Earnshaw said after the service: "There is no doubt that Martin was very much loved and admired. Martin was the pride of Ireland in terms of road racing, certainly in the south. He was very much the local hero.
"There has probably been around 3,000 people at the service and it has been a warm and sunny day in Lusk."
The Dubliner began his two-wheel career by competing in motocross, cultivating a spectacular style of riding that would go on to thrill many thousands of fans when he moved on to his first love, real road racing.
For while the 29-year-old flirted with short circuit competition at British championship level, it was road racing in which he excelled.
He first came to prominence by winning the Manx Grand Prix Junior Newcomers event in 2000 and went on to build a huge fanbase throughout Ireland and beyond, admired for his skill and bravery on the track and his friendly, affable personality off it.
Finnegan was one of the very best road racers of his generation, one of that 'special breed' and a hero to many.