Memories of Ballinrobe Racecourse

Great memories of Ballinrobe Racecourse during my childhood in Ballinrobe. Best part was the half day from school on race day. Dad would sometimes get us in to see the horses in the stables early in the morning. Then later we walked, ran or cycled down to the course. Fifty pence bets. Always each way, I’d never make a gambler. The excitement if your horse was placed. Then the race to the tote to claim your winnings.

Traffic jams in High St that we watched from up high at the railings outside our home at the barracks. Dad on traffic duty with his motorbike. Guards everywhere. You could get lucky and get money for sweets from some.

One happy happy race day we were playing shop out front with our neighbours. We had used bottle tops from my Granny’s Co. Roscommon shop for our play money. One guard came along and joined in the shopping fun. I don’t know what we had for sale but he decided it was worth a full pound. Whoopee, the shop was abandoned. Off we went to Mickey Hessions for a block of ice cream and wafers.

With the Racecourse having recently celebrated its centenary ‘A history in the making’ brought back so many more memories. A piece by Declan Varley reminded me of our time taking down car number plates or race days. I was under the assumption that this task had a purpose, you know assisting the Guards or doing a bit of market research for someone. I asked my Mam recently if she remembered why we did it. She took off into a fit of laughter. “Oh it was just to keep ye occupied, we had hours of peace”, best giggle she’d had in a while.

The Racecourse also served as a Golf Club and a Rugby Club down the years too. Lots of lovely memories. My Dublin husband has done a stint or two in the weigh room as well as my brother more recently. My brother in law, another Dub still does.