Galway
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replies 26
Goodwood
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replies 3
I just don't understand this. Galway is awful maybe 2 races excepted.
The success and popularity of the Galway Festival down the years stems from the rural economy as epitomised by the small square bale of hay, a magical time in rural Irish life, now alas no more.
"Old hay is old gold " so the saying goes, never more do than in the west of Ireland where the winters are longer and crueller than in the rest of the country.
The best hay is saved in June, while the bulk of hay is usually saved in July when the crops are bigger and the wetter ground has dried out.
Anyone listening to Robbie Power yesterday on RTE would have heard hum speak of summer Jumps racing "West of the Shannon " in Sligo, Galway, Roscommon, Kilbeggan etc and east of the river the rest of the year.
Cattle dealers who spend the Spring ferrying calves west from the South and East; the autumn ferrying cattle in the opposite direction spend june and July buying meadows of grass and making hay or buying hay already made to ferry west for winter fodder where it is needed.
This was historically a cash crop that ended up in bookies' satchels in Galway and Listowel, the so called harvest Festival.
Now read the blog for more and tell me how Goodwood, even on a fine day can compare !