Plans for drive-in bingo to return on July 5
THOUGH spring may be the season for which we most look for signs of its coming, now we’re watching out, with caution, for signs of a springing to life of a virus subdued summer.
One of the first arrived last night by email from Pat Hartnett on behalf of the Castleisland Races Committee and gladly announced that the ‘Drive-in Bingo’ is on its way back next month with a wickedly tempting €3,000 in prize-money.
The event fell foul of an exorbitant insurance demand last year and had to be shelved and it will be doubly welcomed for its absence on that account and because of our long awaited escape from the lockdown mentality.
“Castleisland Race Committee is delighted to announce that the long awaited ‘Drive in Bingo’ has been brought forward to Sunday, July 5th. following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions,” said Pat.
“It will now be held in Castleisland Co- Op Mart grounds with a mouth watering €3,000 in prize-money on offer.
“It will get under way from 2:30pm. Cards will be available from €13 for a double and a single for €10
“You can come along and enjoy the bingo from the comfort of your car while observing social distancing in safety. A well ventilated and covered seating area will be provided for people who do not have a car,” Pat assured the players who arrive on the spacious yard for the race committee’s charity fund-raising initiative from all corners of this and neighbouring counties.
Meanwhile, the Castleisland Races Committee can be justifiably proud of its growing list of now famous riders who have graced the track at Powell’s Road its meetings here over the years.
Riding here at various times over the past 20 year or so were, Paul Townend, Jack Kennedy and Óisín Murphy.
From Powell’s to prestige, you could say, and the latest ‘past pupil’ to reach a career high is Óisín Murphy from Killarney who rode his first cross-chanel ‘Classics’ winner in Newmarket on Saturday when he guided Kameko to win the 2000 Guineas.
Oisín is a nephew of Jim Culloty the 2002 Cheltenham Gold Cup and Aintree Grand National winning jockey, on Best Mate and Bindaree respectively. He won three consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups on Best Mate.
He returned to Cheltenham as a trainer in 2014 to win ‘ The Gold Cup’ with Lord Windermere. Jim has also been known to cast an eye over ‘ the blood’ at the Castleisland meeting.