BALLABUIDHE RACES
DUNMANWAY
AUGUST WEEK-END
Sunday August 3rd. Monday August 4th. Tuesday 5th. Wednesday 6th.
2008
FAMOUS OLD BALLABUIDHE
HORSE FAIR & HORSE SHOW
BALLABUIDHE PROVIDES -
-
Three days of racing, with over 300 horses competing from all over Ireland for a total of €40000 in prize money Cups and trophys.
-
Huge attendances - in excess of 7,000 on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.
-
Free entertainment and sideshows for children each day.
-
Historic gathering for Fair on Tuesday night and Horse Fair on Wednesday.
-
Unique Horse Show on the street for quality young horses and breeding stock.
-
Traditional focal point of reunions and visitors from all over the world.
The origins of the Ballabuidhe Horse Fair and Races are lost in antiquity, with written records only going back to 1615. To the present day, Ballabuidhe Fair carries on the ancient tradition of great fairs like Tara and Tailte, incorporating horse racing, selling and buying of wares, and the display of fine horses for sale.
Ballabuidhe Races comprise over thirty races of which about half are trotting and sulky. The rest are flat races for ponies and horses, specially bred for speed and agility. These are not only exciting for the spectator, but have proved a valuable training ground for aspiring jockeys.
Trotting horses are not new to Ireland; they were introduced to England early in the eleventh century. It can be assumed that they came to Ireland with the Normans. As by the fifteenth century, Irish pacing horses or 'hobbies' were famous in England for their speed and success in races. In recent years, registration of trotters and pacers, drivers and jockeys have increased annually.
After three days of racing, the famous old Ballabuidhe Horse Fair is held, and in conjunction with it, a Horse Show. Held on the streets, it is the only one of its kind in the country.