Many would strongly contend that the Galway Races is the highlight of Ireland’s summer. With race meetings week-in week-out on fine tracks across the country, why has Galway accumulated the fame it has? Is it down to better horses, a nicer track or more satisfactory facilities?
The racing is undoubtedly top-notch, but really, it appears to be head and shoulders above the rest because of the carnival-like atmosphere the people of Galway create. From the moment you enter the county, everyone knows the races are on and everyone is talking about them. There is a sense of occasion in the air and the excitement is palpable.
Galway pulls out all the stops for race week and as services are in high demand, big provisions are made for the crowds across the board: from retail to hospitality and transport. With the main event taking place across next week,Irish Country Living speaks to three people who are part of the collective effort that makes Galway the place to be for the August bank holiday weekend.
First stop
Often the first port of call for those arriving in the City of the Tribes via Ceannt Station is the shop opposite: Centra just off Eyre Square on Forster Street.
Anyone who has frequented the shop during race week will know that it is in top gear for the whole seven days.
Store manager Adrian Carney is at present working hard to get everything in place for next week. To accommodate the extra trade, the store opens until 2am on the busier days towards the latter end of the week.
“It would be exceptionally busy, we are busy all the time, especially during the summer – but on race week it’s another level, really. We have extra staff on and we know what stock we need more of.”
This week, the week before the races, Aidan makes sure to get all the deliveries in, as it is impractical due to traffic next week. As busy as the shop is and even though they open into the early hours, the manager says it is not often they see any anti-social behaviour.
“It’s very rare that you would have any kind of hassle. The fun is always very good-natured. Generally on race week things are good, everyone is in good form. They’re all suited and booted. No one is out to cause trouble or anything like that,” explains Aidan.
Refuel
There is no food outlet as synonymous with a single county in Ireland as Supermac’s is with Galway. To be expected, the Supermac’s premises in the city and the pop-ups in Ballybrit thrive during the races. But in recent years, with motorway advances, the economic benefit has rippled further out.
The Galway Plaza off the M6 is made up of a Supermac’s, Spar and Bewleys. It is about 30 minutes from both Ballybrit and Galway city centre, and sees a big increase in business during race week. Per day across the whole operation, 20 extra staff are needed, says site manager Paul Kennedy. “There would be a huge pick-up: it’s our Christmas week, really. You have so many people travelling to it from all over the world. People are not only coming for the races, they’re here for a holiday and the social side of things.
“The whole atmosphere brings a different element to Galway, even for our own workers and employers, everyone is in a different set-up because the Galway Races are on. It brings an energy and a vibe that is like no other, really,” reflects Paul.
“I think people are going to the races for the week and they’re happy. It brings a summer feel and it’s just a good time, to be honest. You have to be mindful of customers, some people are going to be first-time visitors, so we have to put our best foot forward at our busiest time.”
The way home
It is well known that the group of people most in demand during the Galway Races are taxi drivers. Anyone who has been in Eyre Square after midnight on race week will confirm this. Joe O’Halloran is chair of – and a driver for – Big O Taxis, based in Eyre Square. He says that as the need for taxis is so high, the company would be working at full capacity, with as many drivers as are available out. During the week some drivers would, as the saying goes “make hay while the sun shines”, sleeping in the middle of the day when it is quietest.
“Everyone puts their best foot forward. The town is thronged with people from early on in the summer, but race week was always the peek in Galway, and it still is. You have people booking in for miles around in all the hotels and B&Bs. It’s the busiest week of the year, everyone is turning a pound from the races.”
The Galway Races take place from 30 July to 5 August. For more information, see www.galwayraces.com.
Read more
Major changes to leading trainer award at Galway
Meet the team behind the glitz and glamour of the Galway Races
Down-to-earth "Daily Diva" Helen Quealy Murphy's ladies day looks
Many would strongly contend that the Galway Races is the highlight of Ireland’s summer. With race meetings week-in week-out on fine tracks across the country, why has Galway accumulated the fame it has? Is it down to better horses, a nicer track or more satisfactory facilities?
The racing is undoubtedly top-notch, but really, it appears to be head and shoulders above the rest because of the carnival-like atmosphere the people of Galway create. From the moment you enter the county, everyone knows the races are on and everyone is talking about them. There is a sense of occasion in the air and the excitement is palpable.
Galway pulls out all the stops for race week and as services are in high demand, big provisions are made for the crowds across the board: from retail to hospitality and transport. With the main event taking place across next week,Irish Country Living speaks to three people who are part of the collective effort that makes Galway the place to be for the August bank holiday weekend.
First stop
Often the first port of call for those arriving in the City of the Tribes via Ceannt Station is the shop opposite: Centra just off Eyre Square on Forster Street.
Anyone who has frequented the shop during race week will know that it is in top gear for the whole seven days.
Store manager Adrian Carney is at present working hard to get everything in place for next week. To accommodate the extra trade, the store opens until 2am on the busier days towards the latter end of the week.
“It would be exceptionally busy, we are busy all the time, especially during the summer – but on race week it’s another level, really. We have extra staff on and we know what stock we need more of.”
This week, the week before the races, Aidan makes sure to get all the deliveries in, as it is impractical due to traffic next week. As busy as the shop is and even though they open into the early hours, the manager says it is not often they see any anti-social behaviour.
“It’s very rare that you would have any kind of hassle. The fun is always very good-natured. Generally on race week things are good, everyone is in good form. They’re all suited and booted. No one is out to cause trouble or anything like that,” explains Aidan.
Refuel
There is no food outlet as synonymous with a single county in Ireland as Supermac’s is with Galway. To be expected, the Supermac’s premises in the city and the pop-ups in Ballybrit thrive during the races. But in recent years, with motorway advances, the economic benefit has rippled further out.
The Galway Plaza off the M6 is made up of a Supermac’s, Spar and Bewleys. It is about 30 minutes from both Ballybrit and Galway city centre, and sees a big increase in business during race week. Per day across the whole operation, 20 extra staff are needed, says site manager Paul Kennedy. “There would be a huge pick-up: it’s our Christmas week, really. You have so many people travelling to it from all over the world. People are not only coming for the races, they’re here for a holiday and the social side of things.
“The whole atmosphere brings a different element to Galway, even for our own workers and employers, everyone is in a different set-up because the Galway Races are on. It brings an energy and a vibe that is like no other, really,” reflects Paul.
“I think people are going to the races for the week and they’re happy. It brings a summer feel and it’s just a good time, to be honest. You have to be mindful of customers, some people are going to be first-time visitors, so we have to put our best foot forward at our busiest time.”
The way home
It is well known that the group of people most in demand during the Galway Races are taxi drivers. Anyone who has been in Eyre Square after midnight on race week will confirm this. Joe O’Halloran is chair of – and a driver for – Big O Taxis, based in Eyre Square. He says that as the need for taxis is so high, the company would be working at full capacity, with as many drivers as are available out. During the week some drivers would, as the saying goes “make hay while the sun shines”, sleeping in the middle of the day when it is quietest.
“Everyone puts their best foot forward. The town is thronged with people from early on in the summer, but race week was always the peek in Galway, and it still is. You have people booking in for miles around in all the hotels and B&Bs. It’s the busiest week of the year, everyone is turning a pound from the races.”
The Galway Races take place from 30 July to 5 August. For more information, see www.galwayraces.com.
Read more
Major changes to leading trainer award at Galway
Meet the team behind the glitz and glamour of the Galway Races
Down-to-earth "Daily Diva" Helen Quealy Murphy's ladies day looks
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: