GALWAY RACING FESTIVAL: Torn betting slips filled the rubbish bins and the pockets of more experienced punters bulged as the Galway races got underway at the Ballybrit course last night, writes Róisín Ingle, in Galway.
Former soccer international John Aldridge had an early winner. He put "a few bob" on the J.P. McManus horse Puck Out at six to one and he said the winnings would keep him going for the night. "I've been to Galway a few times but never had a chance to go to the races, so I'm glad I've got here today," he said.
McManus looked quietly pleased as he congratulated trainer Christy Roche in the winners' enclosure. He would be staying at the races all week "just as long as the money lasts" said the multi-millionaire.
Earlier, the Taoiseach could be seen pressing the flesh in the town accompanied by his partner Celia Larkin. American tourists, looked on in amazement as earlier Ahern strolled along the street wearing a pink tie and shaking hands all around him.
After unveiling a plaque at the offices of an insurance company he walked down the road to visit the pottery shop of Judy Greene who was celebrating 20 years in the business.
In a potentially romantic moment, Ahern and Larkin were presented with his and hers Claddagh rings from traditional Galway jewellers Dillons. But amused onlookers didn't get a chance to see which way the heart symbol on the rings would be positioned on their fingers as a smiling Larkin quickly stowed the gold booty away in her smart leather bag.
The couple are staying at the Great Southern Hotel in Eyre Square and will be trying their luck at the races for a few days this week.
The event is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the tourism season in the area. Chief executive of Ireland West Tourism, Brian Flynn, said hotel bookings were down by 9½ per cent this year. "The races bring a lot of high yield spenders to the city," he said.
Big spenders were out in force last night despite the rain though crowds for the opening night were slightly down on last year. Gardaí said they weren't too worried about the pick-pockets who have plagued the summer festival in the past. Supt Tony Finnerty said he didn't expect any trouble.
"We have a massive security operation that has been planned for the last six months," he said. "The officers on duty have been briefed to police the area in accordance with the mood of the crowd." Among the politicians spotted studying the form and sheltering from the drizzle were Ministers of State Jim McDaid and Frank Fahey. Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, a regular visitor and generous tip giver, was expected to make an appearance. Liam Hodgins, captain of the losing Galway hurling team at Croke Park at the weekend, was also looking for a win last night.
While waterproofs were de riguer, some brave female attendees were dressed as though they were attempting a dry run for the Best Dressed Person competition on Thursday. In the city, Brown Thomas were reporting steady sales of fake tan in preparation for Ladies Day.
Around €20 million is expected to be spent by visitors over the seven-day festival and the 112 bookies at the meeting are estimating they will take €37m in bets. Other more intriguing statistics include the fact that 12 tonnes of ice will be consumed over the festival period.
Champagne consumption varies depending on the weather, say the experts, but on Ladies Day, punters quaff 20 times more of the stuff than on any other day.
The population of the city swells by 100,000 during the week as the festival spills into the pubs, clubs and streets of Galway. As is traditional, professional poker players are already flocking to nearby Salthill and when the horse racing is over each evening, the action at the Galway dogtrack begins.
When the races first began back in 1869, Eyre Square was used as a campsite. Last minute racegoers might be tempted to get the tents out this year as it is virtually impossible to get a room in the city this week.