Bookdetailsthestory oftheLaytownraces
IT’S that time of the year again, when Laytown begins to gear up for the excitement, colour and spectacle of the Laytown Races.
This year’s festival on Thursday 6th September marks 150 years of racing on Laytown Strand. To get the celebrations going, the race committee is launching a commemorative book, Laytown Strand Races, celebrating 150 years, in the Glenside Hotel on Tuesday 14th August at 7.30. Trainer Ted Walsh will launch the book, while M.C. for the event will be broadcaster Des Scahill. It should be an interesting event and all are welcome.
Compiled by a couple of members of Bellewstown Heritage Group, racing enthusiast John Kirwan and historian Fiona Ahern, who also produced 300 Years of Racing at Bellewstown in 2013, this book is packed with interviews, anecdotes, recollections, reminiscences and historical facts about Laytown Races.
John, who was born on the fringes of Bellewstown Racecourse, is in charge of keeping the Bellewstown track in order throughout the year. He also knows Laytown well as he assists in the laying out of the racetrack there each September. He spent last winter researching and writing up Laytown racing and compiling statistics.
Fiona has written the history of the races from 1868 and they both also interviewed jockeys, trainers and owners who had participated in the excitement of Laytown Races over the years. These stories really make the book.
The result is a beautiful book with stunning photography. It also includes a round-up of all the racing held at Laytown since 1945 and an invaluable statistics section from 1919 onwards. This is a must-have for anyone interested in horse-racing or anyone who lives in or near Laytown or Bettystown.
Chairperson of Laytown Race Committee, Joe Collins, is delighted with the book and is looking forward to a great night of celebration on the 14th. He has written a chapter of the book himself about his time as secretary/manager of the racecourse in the eighties and early nineties.
Laytown Strand Races, celebrating 150 years costs €20 and will be available on launch night and from Laytown Race Committee, tel. 087-6860639.