Races draw natives back to visit Mayo

Tom Shiel was on course to see spectacular horse racing yesterday on the sparkling sands of Doolough, Co Mayo

Rain turned to blazing sun just in time for the start of the annual horse racing at Doolough Beach, near Geesala.

As the tide receded and the clouds disappeared, Gerry Coyle, one of the main organisers, remarked: "Not since Our Lord parted the Red Sea has there been a miracle like this."

Mr Coyle - a Fine Gael county councillor from Geesala, south of Belmullet - was, of course, exaggerating a little. But the sudden improvement in the weather had an almost magical effect on the hundreds packed into the vast seaside arena.

Within minutes, rainproofs and umbrellas had vanished, and women were rooting about in handbags for their sun-factor lotion.

The horse and greyhound races on the sparkling strand at Doolough is part of an festival for emigrants staged in Geesala every year. It all began in the 1990s, when every exile in the seven villages served by Geesala church was contacted and invited to come home.

One returned emigrant, Willie Coyle, who is back from London this year, said the festival was his best hope during the summertime of meeting old friends.

"I would come back to Geesala only to discover that an old friend had been home the week or fortnight before. Every native of the area, whether they are in London or Los Angeles, now takes a break in mid-August when there is definitely something happening."

John Millington Synge was a regular visitor to Geesala and is said to have got some inspiration for his most celebrated work, Playboy of the Western World, there. "If Synge was alive and well, and attended the races, he would definitely meet a few modern 'playboys' here," Gerry Coyle asserted as he looked out onto the thronged Doolough Banks which acted as a natural viewing theatre for the race-goers.

After Dingle, Geesala is reckoned to be the second-biggest flapper meeting run by the Horse Racing Association of Ireland. "This is as professional as you get - the Cheltenham of Mayo racing," explained Gerry Coyle proudly.

Ray Healy of the Horse Racing Association of Ireland said Doolough was one of the best racing strands in the country.

"The stretch of beach here is three miles long and totally safe. Beach racing is mostly for young jockeys. All of the top jockeys initially start off with beach racing. Who knows, we may see some of the stars of the future here today."

There were 10 races on yesterday's card, with the 20 or so bookies in attendance doing brisk business. One of them, Jarlath Connolly from Tuam, said the amounts being wagered were modest, from €5 to €100.

"There is a lot of money in circulation," he added. "Some of it is sterling because a large proportion of the punters who come here every year are holidaymakers, natives of the area, who are home from Britain."

Although it had a grass floor and may not be as grand as the corporate hospitality marquees at Galway Races, the beer tent at Doolough was doing a roaring trade over the weekend. There were also dozens of entertainments for children, including fairground rides and face-painting.

Racehorse-owner Tony Beegan from Ballinalsoe, Co Galway, spoke of Doolough Races as being primarily a family event.

"Any two lads can put a horse in a trailer and go racing," he added.

"But throw the ponies in, and the young children will want to come too. When families travel, it means more revenue for the Geesala area."

Geesala native Tom Doran, owner of the late and ill-fated Doran's Pride, made a guest appearance at yesterday's races and was interviewed by the MC, Gerry Coyle. If Mr Doran happened to have his eye out for any promising young jockeys, he won't have been disappointed.