Crowds of up to 5,000 a day could attend the Galway Races in August given that a “thorough and detailed plan” exists to accommodate race-goers “in a safe manner”.
This is the view of Fianna Fáil senator, Ollie Crowe, who said he was hopeful of such ambitious numbers attending the races, following a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, Galway Races Chief Executive Michael Moloney, and a representative of the Galway Race Committee.
Safety plan
Sen Crowe said Galway Races has a plan to accommodate 5,000 spectators each day of the annual event. The plan is understood to include a wide range of measures, such as spectators having their temperature checked on arrival, spectators only being in outdoor areas; and a code of conduct which spectators must follow. Galway races will also implement a refunds scheme for any participants impacted by Covid-19.
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Sen Crowe [pictured above] said the figure of 5,000 spectators represents 12 per cent of the capacity of Galway Racetrack - the same percentage that will attend the upcoming Ireland v USA rugby match in Aviva Stadium on July 10, which is hosting 6,000 fans.
“Given the races are happening a couple of weeks after that date, during which time another 700,000 plus vaccines will have been administered, I see no reason why Galway Racecourse could not also accommodate 12 per cent of the capacity,” he said.
Sen Crowe said the races were “hugely important” to the regional economy, particularly hospitality and tourism - two sectors which have been most impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. He said he would hold further discussions with Minister McConalogue this week and he was hopeful the Government “would grant approval for crowds in the short term”.
