PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday 4^th June 2019

WIN €1,000 CASH

THE GALWAY RACES 150^TH SINGER SONGWRITER COMPETITION

In celebration of its 150^th Summer Festival, Galway Racecourse together with Galway Bay fm are today delighted to announce details of a new singer songwriter competition, where one lucky winner will win €1,000 cash, perform live at Ireland’s Largest Horse Racing Festival and gain huge publicity and support from local media partner, Galway Bay fm. Entry is now open. The competition is open to all types of song, in any style – ballad, country, pop, rock etc. Songs may be entered in either the English or Irish language. The song must include the words:

1. Galway Races and
2. 150 years of making your hair stand on end. That simple!

Songwriters may only enter one song for consideration. Commenting on the competition, Michael Moloney General Manager of Galway Racecourse said, “Galway and the West of Ireland is bursting with musical talent, all you have to do is walk down Shop Street in the heart of Galway City on any given day and you’re met with an array of fantastic musicians. We want to reward that talent and what better time than our 150^th birthday! We are now inviting all musicians/ singer songwriters to take part. We can’t wait to hear what you have in store for us”.

Commenting on the exciting competition, Jon Richards, Programme Director/ Head of Commercial at Galway Bay fm said “Galway and the West of Ireland is a hotbed of musical talent and this year if you have a song that’s bursting to get out and be heard, then the Galway Racecourse 150th Singer Songwriter Competition is your chance to be part of their amazing celebrations and win 1000 euro, as a judge I can’t wait to hear what will make my hair stand on end as we search for the overall winner”.

Entries can be submitted via email to songcompetition@galwayraces.com or on a CD or USB by post to the following address: Singer Song Writer Competition, Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit, Galway. All entries must be accompanied by a copy of the lyrics; typed or clearly written. . Deadline for entry is July 8th. Finalists will be notified by phone by Tuesday 9^th July 2019. The provisional adjudication will be on the basis of the tracks submitted, from which ten finalists will be chosen. Each of the ten finalists will be invited to take part in a live performance in Galway City in 1520 Bar on Quay street on Thursday 18^th July at 9pm. Each songwriter will be responsible for providing the singer and/or group for his/her entry in the final at his/her own expense. A first prize of €1,000 will be presented to the winning songwriter on the night of the final. Final adjudication will be on the night of the final. Decisions of the adjudication panel will be final.

Widely regarded as the highlight of the summer season in Ireland, after 150 years, ‘Galway’ continues to do what it has always done. It stirs the soul, makes our hearts beat that little bit faster, brings us together as families and generations and gives us an occasion to celebrate. It has survived and thrived. It is a race meeting like no other that creates a feeling like no other. The style, the entertainment, the sense of history and all the thrills of top-quality racing; thinking about it is enough to give you goose-bumps. Or, in other words, it’s enough to make your hair stand on end! For more information on the Singer Songwriter Competition and to book tickets to this Summer’s 150^th Galway Races visit galwayraces.com

ENDS-

Photography attached. For further information please contact:

Sinéad Cassidy

Sales & Marketing Manager

E: sinead@galwayraces.com

M: +353 87 2888 562