Irish Adventures

Still 3 for me to do Gordon and that’s been the case for 5 seasons now hopefully I’ll get to do the full house

Hi Jimnast, yes we have to follow workrider!! There's a Hamilton reciprocal at Dundalk in December so that's provisionally in calendar. The others not before 27 for sure.

Hello Gordon

I’ve been to Dundalk a few times whilst I like the racing there it’s not for me and I doubt it will be for you

I remember doing  kilbeggsn in afternoon and Dundalk in evening

Downpatrick to Dundalk might be possible if u have access to a car. Ull probably miss first couple of races but ull get to see other 5 or 6. Then dog racing after that

Tipperary grass track will be evenings  sand and lights in 12 month

I went to Tipperary on Arc day few years back before Covid and there was racing there Monday also - transferred to Killarney this year but we weren't going to the mass student day on Monday hence off to Fairyhouse

Gordon I was there that day we met the day before at Gowran park which incidentally is still my favourite track in Ireland

Was at gowrsn few weeks....ago....pretty p1sh......musta been predicted 10 pound in

For an all round great day at the races thyestis day takes some beating

Flat is cack there

I still have to get to ball in robe Ros common and a couple others

Ballinrobe is lovely Freddie I quite liked Roscommon also

Gordon when you go to naas stay in Nass that will be right up your street

Jimnast, absolutely!! If a small windfall comes through in time then it will be Lawlors of Naas on 10th January with a stay at Lawlors of Naas and a few pints at Fletchers

That’s the place to say Gordon absolutely superb free entry to naas when you stay there

Different country but I once did Peper Harow (Surrey) p-t-p in the afternoon and Cottenham (Cambridgeshire) p-t-p in the evening..that was some drive up the M25 on a Saturday teatime

So we did the 3 tracks over 2 trips - Killarney as spectacular as ever although smallish crowd on Arc Sunday ahead of the massively promoted student Monday.  Town buzzing, seafood chowder in Laurels amazing (went there 2 nights in a row for it) and found an 'early' on Sunday pre-racing, just ask a local!  Most bars had music - of varying quality. 

We flew Dublin-Kerry-Dublin which some locals didn't even know was possible - 20 Euros each way, good job Mr O'Leary!

Fairyhouse on the Monday was very sparsely attended but bet two good winners and two seconds so profitable day - enjoyable taxi ride back to Dublin, good craic with the driver.

Friday flew to Belfast International, bus to Central Station and then another to Downpatrick, really nice breakfast in cafe next to Turleys (which although showing as open on website looked as if closed for some considerable time) then went to Avenue bar which we all agreed was one of the best (racing) bars we'd been in recently. Barman immediately clocked we were out of towners (possible the accents were a give away!) and asked if we needed tickets.  When we couldn't get a taxi to the track, a local volunteered to take 2 of our seniors in his car even though he himself wasn't going racing - very friendly place and it had SEVEN lagers on tap including Tennents to make me feel at home.

Racecourse itself is surprising - there is hardly a flat 10 yards, more helter skelter and a really steep climb to the finish which surprisingly seemed easy for most of the runners, although the good going probably helped. Decent sized crowd and decent facilities.  Bus back to Belfast, Taxi to airport and home just after midnight.

That leaves 5 Irish tracks now for me - Downpatrick was the last one for the senior member of our group - and we're booked for Naas on 10th January (yes Jimnast staying at Lawlors - cheers!) which will then leave 4.