History
Beginnings
Records of organised race meetings in County Galway go back to the mid thirteenth century, when what were known as horse matches were run under King’s Plate Articles. In 1864 there was a five-day race meeting at Knockbarron near Loughrea; and exactly 100 years later a Western Plate was confined to “gentlemen riders qualified for National Hunt Races at Punchestown or members of the County Galway Hunt”.
The opening day at Ballybrit was on Tuesday, 17th August, 1869, when contemporary records show that 40,000 people turned up to watch the racing. The park at Eyre Square had to be used as a camping site for the huge crowds that arrived in the town well in advance of the two-day race meeting. The Chairman of the Stewards at the Meeting was Lord St. Lawrence, then M.P. for Galway and the man given most of the credit for creating Punchestown. His fellow stewards were all involved in the tradition of hunting and steeplechasing – men like the Marquis of Clanricard, Lord Clarmorris, Captain Blake Forster, Henry S. Persse, Pierce Joyce, George Morris and Valentine Black. Captain Wilson Lynch of Renmore gave the land at Ballybrit free of charge, and the racecourse, measuring one and a half miles was laid out by a civil engineer, a Mr. T. Waters. The Galway Vindication described it as “covered with herbage or moss and excelling any course in Ireland for good going.
There were eight events, four on each day, but the main attraction was the Galway Plate “ .. of 100 sovs., an open handicap steeplechase of 2½ miles…” Eight jumps had to be negotiated, two of them stone walls. Tenant Farmers could race in the Glenard Plate (£50); and there was a Visitors Plate for gentlemen riders. There was wide advance publicity. The Midland and Great Western Railway agreed to carry all horses to and from the course free of charge provided they had run in a race – a great concession and a sure encouragement to entrants. Special trains came to Galway from all over the country and the Lough Corrib Steam Navigation Company ran a special service from Cong for the two days racing. A mounted official watched the racing on both days and jockeys were warned that “if found guilty of sly practices in riding that they would be disqualified”.
Local prints describe the first day as “a magnificent success, with all honour to Lord St. Lawrence… “ r. R. Bell’s Absentee won the Galway Plate in a field of thirteen runners and Mr. John Ussher’s Ishmael won the Ballybrit Plate and the Renmore Stakes. In terms of social success the meeting was a winner. The Vindicator commented: “The Galway Races promise to advance in the future equal, if not superior, to any other provincial races in the country”.
In over one hundred years of racing at Ballybrit, the tributes paid to Lord St. Lawrence, the man who started it all, and the optimism expressed in local newspapers appear to have been deserved and well-founded. Galway Races have gone from strength to strength.
Many improvements were made for the 1870 meeting. A new Hunter’s course with a “rattling double bank similar to the Punchestown bank” was constructed and additional fly fences erected. With the years the pattern and quality of the meeting improved. By 1879, Mr. Garret Moore’s Liberator, ridden by the owner at Ballybrit, went on with the same rider to win the Grand National; and in 1898 another Galway Veteran, Drogheda, won the National from a field of 23. But the greatest Galway Plate runner was undoubtedly Tipperary Boy won the Plate three times – in 1899, 1901 and 1902. The only horse to come near this record was Clonsheever, who won in 1923 and 1924 but finished third in 1925 carrying 13 stone 1 Ib.
The classic performances of East Galway in the late twenties and early thirties are still recalled by many enthusiastic Galway patrons. Having been successful with 12 stone 7Ib, in 1928, this horse was given 12 stone 10Ib the following year when he was narrowly beaten into second place and again in 1931 with 12 stone 7Ib, he came fourth. When competing in the Blazer’s Plate in 1933, he was still rated as one of the finest chasers in Ireland. One family kept up its connection with Ballybrit right from the start, a connection which was broken only when Harry Ussher died in 1957. The Ussher Stables turned out seven Galway Plate winners, and in 1920 Harry Ussher trained the winners of all the races on the opening day – except the plate itself. Galway Races have always attracted fine steeplechasing bloodstock. Winners of the Irish Grand National like Fair Richard and Red Park have been well tested over the course, and Ballybrit has seen winners of the Ulster Grand National, too.
Broadcasting of races commenced in 1929, and in that year, the Curragh Derby and Galway Plate were broadcast, and television arrived in 1963. Sponsorship came in 1959 and racing was extended to a three-day meeting.
Papal Visit
The visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Galway on the 30th September 1979 is one of the most memorable moments in the history of Galway and indeed the Galway Racecourse in Ballybrit.
It is estimated that 280,000 people flocked to Ballybrit to enjoy the papal visit. There were 77 concelebrants, 200,000 communicants with 800 priests distributing communion and 4,000 stewards.
There was a great air of expectation, excitement and calm amongst the 280,000 crowd awaiting the arrival on the papal helicopter. Flocks of people thronged to the racecourse with layers of clothes on, backpacks, plastic bags of food and flasks.
There were lots of people on the side of the road selling stools, large umbrellas and flags of all sizes.
The organisation and stewarding was superb as the stewards directed the people to their allocated “Corral”. Father Michael Cleary and Bishop Eamonn were a terrific double act, entertaining the huge crowd and getting them going. Never was “By the Rivers of Babylon” sung with such gusto, or by so many.
As the papal helicopter hovered overhead, the crowds waved excitedly. Children up on adults’ shoulders, flags waving, banners from every parish in the country, cheering. The intense excitement was eventually replaced by a spiritual calm as the mass got underway.
In his homily Pope John II said:
- “This morning the Pope belongs to the Youth of Ireland”.
- “I believe in youth. I believe in youth with all my heart and strength of my conviction, and today I say: I believe in the Youth of Ireland”
- “You carry in your hearts the treasures which Irish history and culture have given you, but you also share in the problems that Ireland faces”
- “On returning home, tell your parents and everyone who wants to listen, that the Pope believes in you and that he counts on you”.
- “Young people of Ireland, I love you”.
2004 saw the 25th anniversary of the papal visit to Galway and a special anniversary mass was held at the Galway Racecourse where 5,000 people attended. The archbishop of Tuam, Dr. Michael Neary was chief concelebrant and the Papal Nuncio, Giuseppe Lazzarotto along with Bishops and priests of the Western province took part in the Celebration. The Papal Nuncio Giuseppe Lazzarotto blessed the statue of Pope John Paul II which was commissioned by Galway Race Committee and erected in the racecourse enclosure to celebrate the Pope’s visit to Galway.
Present Day
Today, the Galway Races is one of Ireland’s most iconic sporting and social events, attracting more than 130,000 visitors to Ballybrit for the famous seven-day Summer Festival. Combining world-class horse racing with an unforgettable atmosphere, the festival welcomes racing enthusiasts, families and visitors from across Ireland and around the world.
Over the years, Ballybrit has undergone significant development and modernisation to accommodate the growing popularity of the festival. A major milestone came in 1999 with the opening of the Millennium Stand, providing improved facilities and viewing areas for racegoers. This was followed by the opening of the Killanin Stand in 2007, further enhancing the racecourse facilities and transforming Ballybrit into the modern racing venue it is today.
In more recent years, the Galway Races have continued to evolve, introducing new attractions and experiences to enhance the festival for visitors of all ages. Live music and entertainment have become an increasingly important part of race week, with performances from local bands, DJs and popular musical acts across various venues throughout the racecourse. The much-loved Ladies Day and Friday’s Most Stylish competitions continue to attract attention from across the country, celebrating fashion and style alongside the racing.
The festival has also placed an increasing emphasis on family entertainment, with Sunday’s Mad Hatters Family Fun Day offering activities, competitions and entertainment for younger racegoers. In 2024, the Summer Vibes initiative brought the excitement beyond Ballybrit and into Galway city, with free live music, fashion showcases and street entertainment throughout race week. Further additions have included the Beauty Paddock, introduced in 2025, providing dedicated beauty and refreshment facilities, and the launch of Tote 26 in 2026, a new festival venue designed to further enhance the racegoer experience.
Alongside these developments, continued investment in hospitality, entertainment and racecourse facilities ensures that Ballybrit remains a leading destination on the Irish racing calendar. The excitement extends far beyond the racecourse itself, with Galway city coming alive throughout the week as racegoers enjoy its restaurants, pubs, music and nightlife.
More than 150 years after the first meeting at Ballybrit in 1869, the Galway Races continue to grow and embrace new ideas while preserving the traditions, character and unique atmosphere that have made the festival so special. The vision of Lord St. Lawrence lives on through this remarkable event, which remains one of Galway’s proudest traditions and one of Ireland’s greatest summer celebrations.
