Glenbeigh Races: It’s the place to be

WHEN a community is fortunate enough to have something with such a strong traditional reputation as the Glenbeigh Races, then they’re entitled to celebrate. Rossbeigh Strand will soon become the focal point for a race meeting that is set to add another footnote to its rich history which stretches back to 1924.

The meeting is one of the highlights of late summer and it takes place from Friday 31 of August to Sunday, September 2 when the famous horseshoe strand will take on a life of its own.

But what really makes the occasion a memorable one is the entertainment that surrounds the racing. Three days of family fun, street music and entertainment in every bar and hotel is what elevates it from being just a ‘good festival’ to being a ‘great festival’.

The official opening takes place on Friday, August 31 at 6pm when the fancy dress parade excitement starts at the Towers Hotel. Then it’s on to the football field for a dog show, terrier racing and pony rides. The Red Fox Inn is the venue for the Grand Opening at 9:30pm when 2017 Festival President, Tony Hayes, hands over the chain of office to the new 2018 President (to be announced). Live music with Brightside will be followed by the selection of the 2018 Festival Queen. DJ Kevin Healy-Rae is up next; while over in Ashe’s Bar, Ken & Anthony will play at 9:30pm. The Tower will host The Midnight Sons at 9:30pm.

At 12pm on Saturday there’s a Trad session at Rosspoint. The first day’s racing action starts at 2pm sharp with some top class horse and pony racing (a prize pot of €2,500 is up for grabs on day one). The festival marquee will have live music, food and drink for when racegoers need a break. Later on Saturday evening the popular Village Square open air concert takes place. The bands to take centre stage on this year’s Gig Rig are The Shambolics, The Rising, and Phil N The Blanks. It gets underway at 6pm.

A welcome precursor to Sunday’s race action is at Ashe’s Bar where the annual open air music and Irish dancing takes place. The first race is at 2pm with the feature race on Sunday’s card being the Glenbeigh Invitational Race. As is customary in practically all race meetings these days, the Best Dressed Ladies, Gents and children’s competition will be held on Sunday. In all, there is a prize pot of €5,101 on offer on the final day’s racing. And if your luck is out with the beach racing, you can always see if your luck is in at predicting the winner of the Donkey Derby, which is sponsored by Athy plant hire. The All-Ireland football finals are early this year but you can catch the action in the Festival Marquee.

The action is far from finished once the last race is over. The Rosspoint, Ashe’s Bar and Glenbeigh Hotel will host Haulie & Giggs, Colcannon, and Des Sheehan respectively (check poster for times). The annual Race Dance brings the festival to a close at 10pm when The Shambolics perform at Sweeney’s Bar. It’s just a matter of making yourself available between August 31 and September 2. The place to be is by the sea during the Glenbeigh Races.