Three motorcyclists have died following separate collisions in Counties Kerry, Westmeath and Down today.

In Kerry, a man in his 20's died following the incident -involving a car and a motorbike-which happened on the Abbeydorney to Tralee road, at around 6.20pm this evening.

The motorcyclist was fatally injured, his body has been removed to Kerry General Hospital where a post mortem examination will take place tomorrow, while the female driver -who was the only occupant -of the car was uninjured.

The road was closed to allow an examination by the Garda Forensic Collision Investigators but has since re-opened.

Meanwhile, a male motorbike competitor in his 20's lost his life following an incident during the Walderstown Motor Cycle Road Races near Athlone in Co Westmeath this afternoon.

It's understood the man died during the 7th race at approximately 1.20pm today. The competitor sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where he was pronounced dead later this evening.

The Health and Safety Authority have been notified and an investigation including Gardai and Race Officials will also take place.

And in County Down, a 40 year old male motorcyclist, who has been named as Richard Carson, lost his life following a collision with a car on the Ballysallagh Road in Crawfordsburn shortly before 3pm today.