Gal The President’s Men
Michael D in top form as he tells of joy at seeing crowds back at famous meeting
MICHAEL D Higgins was in flying form as he enjoyed a day at the Galway Races yesterday – as Nathan Carter wowed the crowds.
He normally attends the Ballybrit racecourse with his wife Sabina but after a busy day for the high-profile couple, the President decided to attend the Galway Races with his Aide-de-camp.
Mr Higgins told the Irish Mirror how he is enjoying seeing the crowds back again.
Asked where his wife Sabina was, he said: “No. I came down and I’m going straight back. We had an event this morning with the President of Fiji.
“I’m just down for the one day, the Galway Plate, but I have to go back tonight. It’s very good to see the crowds back and that humid weather gone and there is a bit of a freshness in the air.” Asked if he enjoyed a flutter at the tote, the President said: “No not really... I mean from time to time.”
The President and Sabina were struck down by Covid earlier this year– but he admitted he escaped from any long term Covid effects..
He said: “I’m fine. I escaped for most of the time until the first week of March and then... but I got over it fine. I got boostered and all of that.
The President was speaking in the parade ring as he presented The Tote Galway Plate prize to owner TJ Mcdonald and his horse Hewick.
Mcdonald said: “It is another trophy for the cabinet so absolutely delighted.”
And while Ballybrit saw droplets of rain loom over the racecourse, punters stepped out in style, displaying a sea of colours.
Among the thousands who attended Wednesday’s races included country crooner Nathan Carter, who performed for racing fans later in the evening.
He said: “I was here four years ago, just as spectators. It was really good but I never performed here.”
Nathan will be performing this weekend in Swords in Dublin during their weekend country festival.
He added: “It’s sold out, so we’re delighted.”
Liverpudlian Nathan is also returning to the UK before he flies out to the US for a three-week tour.
He said: “It is my longest ever tour in
America so I’m really excited about that. All the gigs that should’ve happened in the last two years are happening now. So we are cramming everything.”
But Nathan admitted he is “doing less” than he was doing before. He added: “I’m trying to go and see more gigs because I miss music that much. So the last two months I’ve been to seven gigs to watch other people sing – I went to see Elton John, Queen, Tom Jones came to Belfast and I went to see him.
“I saw Ed Sheeran. I was at The Eagles the other night in Dublin. I’m just enjoying music more than ever because I missed it so much during lockdown.”
Nathan also opened up about meeting Bill Murray at the JP Manus Pro Am at Limerick’s Adare Manor earlier this week.
He said: “I didn’t realise he loved music so much. He sings himself. He was up the front of the stage rocking out.
“We exchanged emails at the end and he’s kept in contact. He was wondering when we were coming to America and were we near him when we’re travelling about.
“He loved the band more than me, I think. He was rocking out with the drummer. I was chatting to Noirin, JP’S wife.
“She said he originally was coming for a week and he ended up staying for three. He had a really, really good time.”