Racers radiant in New Year’s sun at Ballyheigue

WHILE there are more prosperous and busier race meetings in the world, it’s often the ones held far from the madding crowds that ignite the sport’s true magic.

The history of racing in Ballyheigue is as long as the golden beach that hosts the flapping of spirited steeds every Christmas; a tradition part and parcel of the seaside village since 1853.

This is Ballyheigue’s very own ‘Laytown Races’ and the crowds that made the effort to wrap up and face the chilly Atlantic breeze were not disappointed as top class action was the reward with horses from Munster, the Midlands and Donegal, all taking their chances.

Time waits for no man but the tide sometimes can, if properly managed, and from first light on New Year’s Day the organisers were out in force building a sandcastle equivalent of a racetrack for a few hours pleasure before the rolling tide called time again.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with it and the weather was outstanding. There was a crowd there as big as Pattern Day,” said Liam O’Mahony.

“It’s a great day out for people home for Christmas and we obviously have to run it according to tide times, but it’s now an event that people look forward to every year. There’s a lot of work involved in getting sponsorship, but we’ve a great committee,” Liam added.

Photos by Domnick Walsh Ben Coen winner of the the Noreen & Donal B. Lane Memorial Cup. ABOVE: Jake Clifford , Ellen Burke , Nora Burke , Orla Clifford and Ciara Clifford enjoying the dramatic scenes from the steps below the prom. BELOW: The action was breakneck along the...