For us at Devlin Farm Life, we are excited to attend our local Louisburgh horse show and The Carrowniskey races.
This summer, all across Ireland, a myriad of different Agricultural events are taking place.
After the past two years of disappointment with the shows being cancelled due to the
Coronavirus, I’m excited to attend The Louisburgh and Carrowniskey Races this coming July
and August.
Feeling sentimental
I’m feeling very sentimental this year. Our kids loved attending these local events, and we
used it as family time, creating great memories. My husband and I kept our calendar free, so
there were no holidays or excursions on those particular weekends. The children are now
young adults, our daughter has completed her first year in college, and our son is heading into
his final year of Secondary school. So this year might be our last family day out for a while.
Louisburgh Horse Show
How to get there?
Take the R335 scenic road from Westport and drive through Louisburgh town and over the
bridge. You will come to a crossroads. Turn right, watch for signage of Louisburgh Horse
Show and Carrawmore Beach. Drive forward, take the 2nd right, and look for horse show
signs. The horse show is a massive community effort; you will meet many local volunteers
along the road directing you to the show. When you get to the car park, these volunteers will
help you with the parking.
Weather
Here in the West of Ireland, the rain is a frequent visitor. We usually check the forecast on
our local radio as a rough indicator if we have a shower. At Devlin Farm, we check for the
sky over Clare Island on the morning of the event. Clare Island is our weather forecaster. If the Island appears to be near, that significant rain will be making an appearance.
From my
experience, bring a light rain jacket, umbrella and wellies. For young toddlers, a waterproof
rain cover over the stroller is convenient. If the sky is blue, a pair of shorts, sunscreen and a
sun hat is all you need. The weather is rapidly changing along the wild Atlantic way, be
prepared for weather changes.
Organisation
Organising these one-day events while making it Covid safe is a huge challenge. However,
the local committee will use their experience and organisational skills to ensure everything
runs smoothly. The show runs from 11 am till 5 pm and attract thousands of visitors. Tickets
are available online or at the gate.
Louisburgh Horse Show Sunday 17th July 2022
Carrawmore strand is located 1 km on the outskirts of Louisburgh town. It is situated in a
special protection and conservation area. The beach has access to ample parking and a toilet
area. To access the shore, you have to clamber down concrete steps; you have endless views
of the pier, sandy shore and Clare Island. The local Louisburgh Horse is held on its grounds
in June or July every year.http://www.louisburghhorseshow.ie/louisburghhorseshow.ie/Louisburgh_Horse_Show_Society_Welcome.html
The atmosphere at the Louisburgh Horse Show is electric. All the years we have been
attending, the weather has been perfect. The vibe at the show and in particular for the dog
events is always exciting, especially for the children. Our daughter entered many times with her dogs, who won a few rosettes. We come from a somewhat equestrian background.
We used to have two Connemara Ponies. Our children used to horse ride when they were in
primary school. Our daughter continued till her late teens. While our children never competed
in the horse jumping events, we love to watch. There is something extraordinary about
horses.
Another event to watch out for is the sheep show. It’s lovely to watch the different breeds on
display. Louisburgh is a predominant sheep farming area, and many local farmers participate
in the shows.
What would a day out be without food and drink? There are numerous vendors and Mayo
artisan showcasing homemade food.
Outside the events, several stands sell everything from balloons to equestrian gear for
toddlers.
Irish people love music, and there will be plenty of music and dancing on the day.
Carrowniskey Races 13th August
Carrowniskey beach
A beach is so vast that it is large enough to host the Carrowniskey horse race (A traditional
beach horse racing successfully revived in 2010). In the summer, you might see motorised
kites gliding up and down its cosmic shoreline. The ocean waves are usually smothered with people zipped up in black wetsuits with surfboards.
Carrowniskey is 7.5kms from
Louisburgh. It is the nearest surfing beach to Westport town. This four km-long shoreline
haven extends into the delightful Cross beach. But nothing beats seeing it in real life.
The Races
Carrowniskey Races is a fantastic day out if you visit the area in August. It is suitable for all
the family. There is something for everyone, young and old. For us, it is a great family day
out, meeting friends and neighbours. There are bouncy castles, slides, face painting, balloon
makers, ice cream and a power kite demonstration if you have young children.http://www.carrowniskeyraces.ie/
There are ten races on the beach. Out of those ten races, two are local, horses and ponies. The
other eight races are MHPRA (Midland Horse & Pony Racing Association). We are not
regular gamblers. However, a day at the races is impossible without putting on a bet. There is
a designated area where you will find the bookies. There you can place your bet for as
little as €2.50. The horses come from all over Ireland.
Louisburgh and Killen people love music and dancing. The specially erected Marquee is
smack in the middle of everything, where people can dance and have a drink. Moreover, the
Marquee is ideal if there is a downpour of rain.
Conclusion
If you are around Mayo these weekends, you will not be disappointed. Over the years, these
days out have been a great way to meet up with family and friends and have a happy, chilled-
out day. For more information, check out their websites and social media pages.
Check out Devlin farm life blogpostshttps://devlinfarmlife.com/5-activities-to-try-in-louisburgh/
