Spectator curbs at Galway Races a ‘huge blow’, says chief executive

That just 1,000 daily spectators will be allowed to attend the Galway Races later this month is a “huge blow”, the organisation’s chief executive has said.

Michael Moloney said organisers had been hoping the 45,000 capacity stadium could welcome 5,000 daily spectators at this year’s event, but it was confirmed this week that attendance would be limited to 1,000 per day.

“We didn’t get to where we were hoping. It is disappointing more so for our fans and supporters who come here year in year out,” he said.

For the second time Covid-19 restrictions have brought a “huge blow financially”, he said, as the business model revolves around one annual event.

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Asked if he had hoped vaccine passes would enable a greater number of guests, Mr Moloney said the tools have “unfortunately come too late for us”. Race proposals were submitted to the Department of Agriculture in May, before there was talk of such vaccine benefits, and plans had to be put in place, he said.

“We needed a decision in terms of knowing how to implement a festival for thousands of people . . . There are a lot of logistics,” he said.

Chief executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce Kenny Deery said the tight restrictions will have “significant” ramifications on businesses not just in Galway city but across the county and beyond. The 40,000-or-so daily racegoers normally contribute €70 million to the local economy over the course of the festival, he said.

“What is rather disappointing in this case is that higher numbers are being allowed elsewhere,” he said.

The racecourse in Ballybrit has been operating as a vaccination centre, proving it can safely manage the flow of thousands of people on a weekly basis, he said.

“This has been a significant facility for the west in the fight against Covid . . . It is a huge space,” he added.

Many business owners around Galway City are “a bit perplexed” by the high level of caution applied to the race numbers, according to Johnny Duggan, owner of Taylor’s Bar.

“We are going to be letting vaccinated people into bars and restaurants, so I cannot see why we cannot do something similar at a racecourse,” he said.

It is disappointing but not surprising that the usual bumper week of trading is off the table in 2021, he said. Traditionally bars were granted exceptional trading licenses to serve until 2.30am during the week, but Covid has brought last orders forward to 11.30pm. “Compared to a normal year we are significantly affected,” he added.

Mr Duggan wonders if many would-be racegoers who booked accommodation in anticipation of gaining tickets will travel to the city regardless. If so, bars and restaurants operating at reduced capacity might not have room to cater to them all, he said.

“Galway city is very busy with tourism at the moment anyway and most nights our outdoors are full anyway,” he said.

The Connacht Hospitality Group, which operates a number of hotels and restaurants around the city, has had a number of cancellations in recent days, a spokeswoman said.

“The races would be a huge week for us, particularly with food and beverage,” she said. While family bookings have increased lately, the group anticipates “doing a lot less revenue this year than expected” due to the change in market, she added.

Group general manager, Wayne Neilon, said there had been “great excitement and anticipation” in recent weeks that the festival could proceed with 5,000 daily spectators who would also enjoy the offerings of the city. While the announcement brought “disappointment”, there will be 7,000 more spectators than during 2020, he noted.