The revived Castleisland Races on Wednesday triumphed over weather conditions that were, to say the least, discouraging.
But the energetic members of the new committee resolutely refused to be discouraged, in spite of the rain, a lack of co-operation on the part of some horse owners, and the almost liquid conditions underfoot.
By: Patrick W. Smyth – The Kerryman, July 1960
In the words of Cork City sideshowman Donal Hogan – who has been putting up his stalls at Castleisland Races for over ten years – “The committee went all out to make the meeting a success.”
Thirteen year old Michael Finn rode home to victory Little Mo (owner, Wm Sweeney, Glenbeigh) in the Pony Race, the best race of the meeting.
Michael, no newcomer to the sport of kings, drove like a veteran with boot and leather, just beating into second place C. McMahon’s Clementine, followed by Miss P. Hand’s Falcon.
Gaily Coloured Umbrella
Wandering around the course protected from the downpour by a gaily coloured umbrella, I met famous Irish singer Josef Locke and his friends, John Scanlon and Don Gibson, both from Glasgow. Joe, I learned, is staying in Ballybunion.
“I intended to come with a party of sixteen,” he told me. “But the weather put paid to that idea.
“However, I am certainly enjoying myself and so are my friends.”
Incidentally, I learned that Joe has a couple of horses jumping at the Horse Show in Ballsbridge next week.
Staying in Castlegregory
Also wandering around – but never far from their car – were Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Marshall and their family, from London,
They are staying in Castlegregory just now. Their seven-year-old daughter, Julia, was quick to tell me: “I had two winners already.”
Since only two races had taken place at this stage, I decided to keep an eye on what nag was this young lady’s next fancy!
A Most Enjoyable Meeting
Keeping a friendly eye on the and the hundreds who braved the weather was Mr. Bernie O’Connor, Castleisland, his wife and sons, Brian six and a half and Michael four and a half.
From Killarney came head waiter Jimmy Cullinane of the Great Southern Hotel. Accompanied by barman Noel Tabb.
Jimmy told me: “It’s a most enjoyable meeting despite the bad weather. I had three winners …. it seems to me that Castleisland Races is now definitely established as an annual event.
New Cocktail Invention
Popular cocktail barman Noel Tabb of the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, told me that he has invented a new cocktail called the ‘Kingdom Cocktail’ and hopes to win the All-Ireland cocktail competition and the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, later this year.
Said Noel: “Kerry seems a sure-fire choice for the All-Ireland football final this year, and I’m hoping that I can make it a double by winning the All-Ireland cocktail competition with a special Kerry cocktail.”
Dressed for the Weather
Colours of the new drink? “Green and Gold, naturally said Noel, “the colours of the Kerry team.
Also moving about the course, suitably dressed for the weather was Mrs. N Browne’s party from Castleisland. With her were Mary O’Sullivan, Mrs. Junior Browne, Norma Moran of Limerick, Josephine Tangney of Castleisland and Paddy Moran of Limerick.
Busy keeping an experienced eye on things was Paddy Hussey, Castleisland, who is no stranger to race-meetings.
The Valley of Knockanure by Batt Coffey
Caherciveen ballad singer, Batt Coffey, who has been attending Castleisland Races for over thirty years, was more than willing to oblige when compere Richie O’Sullivan (Tralee) called him to the microphone to sing ‘The Valley of Knockanure.’
Gatekeeper and committee member Liam Barry of Castleisland told me that horses for the six races came from Fermanagh, Kanturk, Innishannon, Glenbeigh, Dingle, Killarney and Newcastle West.
Near sideshowman Donal Hogan’s firing range I found a demure eight-year-old, Mary Sullivan of Black Road, Castleisland, almost hidden under an enormous umbrella, twice as big as herself.
Ruined by the Rain
Mary’s main interest in the proceedings seemed to centre around the bottle of orange juice she was drinking.
A jovial-looking Bernie O’Connor, smiling at the weather, told me: Castleisland Races this year would have been better than ever if it hadn’t been for the downpour. It’s a pity the efforts of the hard -working committee were, even to some extent, ruined by the rain.”
This opinion was echoed by Corkonian Donal Hogan: “The meeting would have been the best ever but for the weather. The new committee went ‘all out’ to make it a great success, and nobody can blame them if the only thing they couldn’t control – the weather – got the upper hand.”
Full Card Completed
Despite the rain, however, the full card was completed, a tribute in itself to the stewards, the organisers and the horse owners.
Wednesday night saw an estimated 800 dancers at the Astor Ballroom where to the lively music of Frank Hartnett and his Orchestra – not forgetting the musical clink of cash at the box-office – a great night was had by all. The success of the dance ensures a strong financial backbone for next year’s Castleisland Races.
At the dance it was impossible, wherever I went, not to meet some member of the committee.
All Hands on Deck at The Astor
Secretary Vincent Murphy was very much in evidence, as were Michael Brosnan, Junior Browne, Martin Hewitt, Christy Cronin, steward of the meeting Harold Murphy, clerk of the scales Denis Brosnan and Michael Culloty, Currow.
It was a gala occasion, one on which Castleisland went gay. Contributing in no small measure to the success of the evening was the spirited combination of Frank Hartnett, particularly clarinetist, Eddie Goodwin of Tralee and vocalist Paddy O’Connor.
Vincent Murphy Thanked All
Towards the end of the evening Secretary Vincent Murphy thanked all who had supported the races and the dance.
He paid a special tribute to Mrs. Coffey who gave the use of the hall to the race committee.
It was a perfect ending to a grand day’s sport and excitement and a definite indication of greater things to come
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