Ballybar Races

Horse Racing

This image taken from the Carlow Sentinel 4th August 1846. Illustrates Horse Racing which took place in Carlow

Carlow County Library

Horse Racing
Carlow County Library

Horse Racing

This image taken from the Carlow Sentinel 4th August 1846. Illustrates Horse Racing which took place in Carlow

Carlow County Library

Enlarge image

Horse and Jockey 2

Illustration of a horse and its jockey taken from the Illustrated London News June 1850.

Carlow County Library

Horse and Jockey 2
Carlow County Library

Horse and Jockey 2

Illustration of a horse and its jockey taken from the Illustrated London News June 1850.

Carlow County Library

Enlarge image

The Ballybar races did not run continuously. They were revived following an absence of some years, in 1861. Captain D.W. Pack Beresford chaired a meeting in the Club House Hotel, which re-established the races.
 

The events of race day were graphically described in the "Carlow Sentinel" of 14th September 1861. It was reported

"On arriving at the course a very gay scene presented itself. To those unacquainted with the locality, the beauties of the surrounding country – with its hills and dales, and many and richly-tinted foliage – would amply repay a visit. Thousands of spectators occupied the rising ground in the centre of the course, the stand house, and every other available spot from which there was a good view. On the space apposite the winning post, a large number of private cars and carriages were drawn up. Some perches to the rear, a line of tents were erected, facing the stand-house, and on the opposite extremity of the course there was another row of tents, "theatres," and an almost endless number of thimble riggers, roulette tables, "Aunt Sallies" and stands of every description, where vendors of cooked meats, vegetables, fruits, and other eatables, were kept busy attending to the creature wants of their numerous customers." The meeting took place over two days. The event was well conducted and as reported "there was no drunken persons to be seen".
 

A large contingent of police ensured that the proceedings were orderly right up to the "closing of the tents" at six o'clock in the evening. However not everything went to plan. A horse owner wrote to the Carlow Sentinel to complain of an unsavoury incident, which occurred during the race meeting. The letter was issued in the Carlow Sentinel 19th October 1861.