No stone left unturned for Carrowniskey races

A WEST Mayo community has rallied again the winter storms to ensure their annual beach races will go ahead. Landowners and committee members have between them cleared tons of washed up stone to ensure Carrowniskey races will go ahead on Sunday, July 13.

Carrowniskey races were revived in 2010 and have become one of the most looked forward to and entertaining days of the year for the whole community.
Chairman Edward Gibbons explained: “The races have been going from strength to strength, with great support locally and in the wider community.”
Never was that local support more evident than in the response to the damage caused to the beach during last winter’s storms.

Said Edward: “Excellent work involving a lot of expense for the committee and landowners have cleared the grounds of tons and tons of stone, which had been pushed in on land during the terrible storms in January of this year.
“For a while it looked like it would be impossible to get the grounds prepared but we are all delighted with the outcome.” This year’s race card has two local races and eight races organised under the auspices of the M.H.P.R.A., which include thoroughbreds.

Conscious of July 13 being Connaught final day, the race committee have organised a big screen for the match so supporters won’t miss out.
The first race is at 12 noon. It is a local race for ponies under 14.2hh and jockeys aged 12 to 17 years. There will be eight races ran by the Midlands Horse and Pony Racing Association and the last race will be a non thoroughbred horse race open to those aged 16 and over.

There will be a fully licensed bar in a marquee and you can try to win a few euro as bookies will be present on the day. Entertainment for the whole family includes face painting, bouncing castles, go-karting and a magician. With priority parking for the elderly, everyone is being catered for. There will also be food stalls, tea and scones. Secretary Rita O’Malley, who has horse racing in her blood, said: “Everything is in place for the day, so here’s hoping for a fine day.
“Carrowniskey is a unique location, best known for surfing and swimming, and goes back to earlier generations for racing, when every farmer had a horse and would be training from early summer to win the Farmer’s Plate.” Treasurer Seamus O’Malley paid tribute to the sponsors all over Louisburgh, Killadoon, Westport, and beyond.

The chairman also points out all the other local support, including the stewards, landowners, Order of Malta, the local gardaí, Garda Niall O’Malley and Ruairi Brennan, and the doctor and vet, who are on duty.

This exciting day will conclude with free entry for all race goers to the annual race dance in the Ocean Lodge, Killadoon, where everybody is invited along, with music provided by Trevor Moyles.