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first post covid trip to Ireland last week - SLF in Cork Thursday evening, Killarney races Friday evening and Saturday, was joined by two friends Saturday.
concert was great, SLF always put on a show and played most of the fan favourites and had a great 'craic' in the welcome inn (corner of oliver plunkett street) beforehand, best pint of coors I've had anywhere and so good that went back there on Sunday on way to airport where mate confirmed guiness was equally outstanding.
arrived killarney friday, beautiful place, far more 'touristy' than I expected with an abundance of restaurants/bars (taxi driver said population was around 20k but from april-october there were 60k in the town). forecast was for drizzle and there were a few fleeting showers but when I arrived at course the famous reeks were shrouded in mist and I was cursing myself - first time to Killarney and I won't get the views which have enticed on tv all these years, however 15 minutes later the mists rose and the whole panorama was there - spectacular!! killarney is also the best kept racecourse I've been at, not a weed or piece of litter in sight and also one of the best parade rings I've seen (particularly liked the surrounding hedging), up with July course, Cheltenham and Mallow/Cork. Backed three winners so had great evening.
was joined by two mates from Glasgow on Saturday, their first visit to Killarney (they've done 15-20 of the Irish courses), weather was better than forecast, town very busy although with as many facilities as they have, it never felt crowded. racetrack blew my mates away - totally taken in by it, each of us had a few winners so that further enhanced the experience and then the icing on the cake was the post racing entertainment in the jim cullotty bar - the usual mix of crowd favourites had the place rocking and despite serious drinking all around, never saw any discontent/arguments, everybody had a smile on their face, even the hour's delay to train was an opportunity for a few more beers in a lively bar
i've now visited all British courses, about half dozen in france, about dozen in Ireland, pardubice, gulfstream and happy valley, and there's no doubt that Killarney went top of the list last weekend - for anyone who's watched the racing there and thought 'some day I'd like to see that' then I encourage you to make the plans asap
workrider - hope you had successful weekend, as you can sense, we'll be back in Killarney god willing!!
concert was great, SLF always put on a show and played most of the fan favourites and had a great 'craic' in the welcome inn (corner of oliver plunkett street) beforehand, best pint of coors I've had anywhere and so good that went back there on Sunday on way to airport where mate confirmed guiness was equally outstanding.
arrived killarney friday, beautiful place, far more 'touristy' than I expected with an abundance of restaurants/bars (taxi driver said population was around 20k but from april-october there were 60k in the town). forecast was for drizzle and there were a few fleeting showers but when I arrived at course the famous reeks were shrouded in mist and I was cursing myself - first time to Killarney and I won't get the views which have enticed on tv all these years, however 15 minutes later the mists rose and the whole panorama was there - spectacular!! killarney is also the best kept racecourse I've been at, not a weed or piece of litter in sight and also one of the best parade rings I've seen (particularly liked the surrounding hedging), up with July course, Cheltenham and Mallow/Cork. Backed three winners so had great evening.
was joined by two mates from Glasgow on Saturday, their first visit to Killarney (they've done 15-20 of the Irish courses), weather was better than forecast, town very busy although with as many facilities as they have, it never felt crowded. racetrack blew my mates away - totally taken in by it, each of us had a few winners so that further enhanced the experience and then the icing on the cake was the post racing entertainment in the jim cullotty bar - the usual mix of crowd favourites had the place rocking and despite serious drinking all around, never saw any discontent/arguments, everybody had a smile on their face, even the hour's delay to train was an opportunity for a few more beers in a lively bar
i've now visited all British courses, about half dozen in france, about dozen in Ireland, pardubice, gulfstream and happy valley, and there's no doubt that Killarney went top of the list last weekend - for anyone who's watched the racing there and thought 'some day I'd like to see that' then I encourage you to make the plans asap
workrider - hope you had successful weekend, as you can sense, we'll be back in Killarney god willing!!
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Wouldn't be complete without tree aftertimed winners..
rexem, jon snow, dads lad - not hard to find pro
five faves and a joint on saturday - I had finest evermore and authorized art (very impressive I thought)...could/should have had more
and couple more observations
price of a pint at course was almost the same as in town 5-5.50 range - unlike most british courses where there's at least £1.50 uplift on course, more if you drink bottled beers
toilet facilities - not that many and they were smallish, the only slight negative
five faves and a joint on saturday - I had finest evermore and authorized art (very impressive I thought)...could/should have had more
and couple more observations
price of a pint at course was almost the same as in town 5-5.50 range - unlike most british courses where there's at least £1.50 uplift on course, more if you drink bottled beers
toilet facilities - not that many and they were smallish, the only slight negative
Killarney is stunning, no doubt about it. I would also recommend racing in Germany. They have some stunning racecourses.
Well done gordon, you managed to frequent Cork's last remaining early house, a good pint is always assured as they cater for some of the most demanding of customers.
Killarney as you have said is a joy to visit and should be on everybody's list of things to do if they ever visit the Kingdom, always plenty going on if that is what you want or plenty of quieter areas if that is what you prefer
Killarney as you have said is a joy to visit and should be on everybody's list of things to do if they ever visit the Kingdom, always plenty going on if that is what you want or plenty of quieter areas if that is what you prefer
cork - funny you should say that, we did in fact manage an 'early' on sunday, something I'd never heard of before, but my Glasgow mates had experienced elsewhere on the Emerald Isle, they made me laugh when they said if their brother was there the 'early' would have been the highlight of his trip!!!
cork - maybe you can enlighten me, one of the 'early' customers managed two pints of black and two double spirits in the first 20 mins or so, now for the spirit (I'm assuming whiskey but not certain) he added a couple of drops of sandemans, what is the name of that mixture?
rico - last encore, it's now traditional spot, preceded by tin soldiers, my own two personal faves the last of the 'set' - wasted life and gotta getaway
Hello Gordon hope your well
Enjoyed reading your report and whilst I enjoy the town and off course the views I’m not over keen on the racecourse I realise I am in a huge minority here as everyone else who has been that I know have the same opinion than you,I actually watched the 2018 World Cup final in the town unbelievably more teles and screens had one of those Irish sports on than the football but it was still a great experience,as I say the town is great seems more expensive than Dublin.
All in and I still have 3 to do over there everything taken in my favourite is the one I first met you at where workrider still goes on about some squirrel sh.t by that old stand at the last fence,god knows how he knew a squirrel left it.
The Sunday after the western meeting I am at your local course
Enjoyed reading your report and whilst I enjoy the town and off course the views I’m not over keen on the racecourse I realise I am in a huge minority here as everyone else who has been that I know have the same opinion than you,I actually watched the 2018 World Cup final in the town unbelievably more teles and screens had one of those Irish sports on than the football but it was still a great experience,as I say the town is great seems more expensive than Dublin.
All in and I still have 3 to do over there everything taken in my favourite is the one I first met you at where workrider still goes on about some squirrel sh.t by that old stand at the last fence,god knows how he knew a squirrel left it.
The Sunday after the western meeting I am at your local course
rare praise from a rebel.
killarney is so touristy its a pain. you cant get near the gaff for coaches and the pubs arent what youd get elsewhere as they are chasing dollars but you can hardly blame them for that.
cant believe slf are still going or that any adult would like to hear them (and i used to have a copy of alternative ulster as a child)
a nice pint of coors is an oxymoron. its undrinkable sh1te
killarney is so touristy its a pain. you cant get near the gaff for coaches and the pubs arent what youd get elsewhere as they are chasing dollars but you can hardly blame them for that.
cant believe slf are still going or that any adult would like to hear them (and i used to have a copy of alternative ulster as a child)
a nice pint of coors is an oxymoron. its undrinkable sh1te
each to their own mitolo - is it you or me that's the rebel?? drank in dan lenihans and the sportsman - hard to say they're anything different than elsewhere in ireland
slf - in your blood or not, their crowd are from the same generation as them (first saw them aberdeen 1979) or the kids of that generation
jimnast - I'll have a look out for you, I'll be at western meeting thursday and probably friday but won't go near the place on gold cup (or scottish national) day
slf - in your blood or not, their crowd are from the same generation as them (first saw them aberdeen 1979) or the kids of that generation
jimnast - I'll have a look out for you, I'll be at western meeting thursday and probably friday but won't go near the place on gold cup (or scottish national) day
That's one thing we'll always have different views on mitolo ( thankfully ) ....
Food , music , alcohol , Sport preferences and of course betting selections.
Each to their own.
Good luck today all
Food , music , alcohol , Sport preferences and of course betting selections.
Each to their own.
Good luck today all
Yes where there all 3 days Gordon racing tv badges get you in Thursday and Friday so sure to bump into you I tend to watch the race from the roof in tatts
Regarding Killarney my first visit to the town was for hilly way day at cork anyway I was recommended a pup called the speak easy and by incredible coincidence a horse called speak easy won on his debut on the Saturday at navan the wife believes in that sort of stuff and backed the horse
Regarding Killarney my first visit to the town was for hilly way day at cork anyway I was recommended a pup called the speak easy and by incredible coincidence a horse called speak easy won on his debut on the Saturday at navan the wife believes in that sort of stuff and backed the horse
That is a new tipple on me gordon, if you had said brandy and port I would not have been surprised, perhaps the gentleman in question has a particularly strong constitution and can absorb anything without it having an effect on him.
I sense mtolo's comment about rebel was in reference to me being from the rebel County and complimenting something from our arch rivals in the Kingdom, all harmless banter I would add, never seen any fisticuffs at any sporting events between the two of us, a fair bit on the field of play but not from the stands....!
I sense mtolo's comment about rebel was in reference to me being from the rebel County and complimenting something from our arch rivals in the Kingdom, all harmless banter I would add, never seen any fisticuffs at any sporting events between the two of us, a fair bit on the field of play but not from the stands....!
correct corky. i was in glandore 10(?) years ago watching the the all ireland football final. wish you had won as the landlord said it was on the house if you did.
what a nice gaff that is. my abiding memory is of a woman who left the bar, jumped into a canoe and paddled out to sea, then came back in 3 hours later and ordered a pint of guinness. ive never had a bigger stiffy. sadly went to waste despite it being offered to all and sundry, male or female.
what a nice gaff that is. my abiding memory is of a woman who left the bar, jumped into a canoe and paddled out to sea, then came back in 3 hours later and ordered a pint of guinness. ive never had a bigger stiffy. sadly went to waste despite it being offered to all and sundry, male or female.
Gordon , delighted you had a ball , told you you'd love the place . Sadly due to circumstances I couldn't join you and the lads on the day. Well done on your winners . Heading to Bellewstown tomorrow .
good write up gordon, a great town. one of my favs , seldom miss a chance togo racing there , two great racing watering holes. for anyone interested theres a new 2 day meeting for oct planned. accommodation isnt as expensive then, some great restaerants to suit any pocket. got a lovely meal for under 20 euro in the kenmare bar of the east avenue hotel. cronins do great food whilst quinlans fish cakes are the finest i have tasted.lots of music venues and the night always ends in the grand{late music bar}. another fine local bar is the legendary jimmy briens bar , full of locals and a fine pint,the shire for those who like middle earth,the sweet shop is like a maize with all it s nooks and crannies,great for watching the world go by whilst enjoying a coffe , the dunloe or tattler for rebel songs, the list is endless. finally i must say ladies day in july is probably the best {most fun}ladies day ive been to, forget galway punchestown or even aintree. so tick a box off and get yourself to kerry.i m not employed by the tourist board.
Fair play Gordon. Great part of the World is Kerry. Though if us Dubs can't understand what the locals are saying you must need an interpreter 
Only been once but will go again soon. Cant believe they had SLF as the after racing band. One of my favourites fram back in the day. Did they do Sus sus sus suspect device?
Sorry, just reread OP and see SLF played Cork the night before. Would be good if bands like them played the courses though
No bands after racing r before for that matter,you want a band go to a concert
Killarney is one of the nicest relaxed courses in the world.
The drink was indeed a brandy and port which is a fabulous tipple.
The drink was indeed a brandy and port which is a fabulous tipple.
Cheers desperado, never seen that before, the guy had a double measure and barman passed him bottle of sandemans and he put a few drops in
post racing entertainment was led by 'Jason Fallon' who was decent enough, although a captive and well inebriated crowd were an easy sell. I'd never heard of 'Nathan Carter' before, apparently he's like the new 'Daniel o'Donnel', definitely not my thing ( a la SLF - they opened with sus sus suspect) but went down a storm!!
My mates really struggled with the accent, I got most of it but definitely much tougher than Dublin and surroundings. Actually I find the speed of a Norn Irish accent quite difficult to understand.
post racing entertainment was led by 'Jason Fallon' who was decent enough, although a captive and well inebriated crowd were an easy sell. I'd never heard of 'Nathan Carter' before, apparently he's like the new 'Daniel o'Donnel', definitely not my thing ( a la SLF - they opened with sus sus suspect) but went down a storm!!
My mates really struggled with the accent, I got most of it but definitely much tougher than Dublin and surroundings. Actually I find the speed of a Norn Irish accent quite difficult to understand.
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