Carlow Races 1846

Carlow Races 1846

Article taken from the Carlow Sentinel 4th July 1846 on the Carlow Races. It states that the railway from Dublin to Carlow is "near completion" which will accomodate the races in Carlow.

Carlow County Library

Carlow Races 1846
Carlow County Library

Carlow Races 1846

Article taken from the Carlow Sentinel 4th July 1846 on the Carlow Races. It states that the railway from Dublin to Carlow is "near completion" which will accomodate the races in Carlow.

Carlow County Library

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Horses racing

Illustration of four horses jumping over a fence during a race taken from the Illustrated London News 1850.

Carlow County Library

Horses racing
Carlow County Library

Horses racing

Illustration of four horses jumping over a fence during a race taken from the Illustrated London News 1850.

Carlow County Library

Enlarge image

A reporter from the Carlow Sentinel wrote about the near completion of the railroad from Carlow to Dublin, in July 1846, commenting that " the progress of the works has been rapid and effectual." He also wrote that "it leaves little doubt that in a few days the communication will be open for the public to the metropolis."

The Sentinel continued:

"On Monday last we visited the works along the line from the station-house, a distance of three miles, and enjoyed an excursion of unmixed pleasure; first, in witnessing as busy a scene as it is possible to imagine, only to be compared to the operations of a beehive – and also in viewing the beautiful and picturesque scenery which embellishes the environs of our town. We are bold to say that tourists travelling to Carlow by the railroad at such a season as the present will partake of much gratification, as it would be, indeed, rare to find a country of equal richness and luxuriant beauty such as that from Carlow to Athy displays".

When the "splendid railroad has been completed, …..a greater accession of company may be expected to attend the course, and the directors will have the satisfaction of opening their line with a prospect of full trains during this week of amusement and glee".

The Sentinel continued with a description of the races during the three day meeting.

"On the first day there will be four races – first, the gold cup for county Carlow bred horses; for this race three prime nags will come to the post – next, the Carlow stakes, for which there are 24 entries, 14 of which will contend for a clear 300 – then there are the Tullow Hunt Stakes, and the half-bred stakes, for each of which there are numerous horses in training, perhaps not so well known to fame as their more distinguished confreres of the Curragh, yet still when well matched, capable of affording equal amusement".

"On the second day there will be three capital races; first, the County Plate, for which we have been informed several nags have been purchased under the rose; next, the Ballybar Stakes – eleven horses to start; and last, not least in interest, the Ladies' Purse, or Carlow Corinthians – this is a good 'take up', and we expect there will be a large entry for it".

"The third day will open with the Railway Plate, and for which the sporting gentry were indebted to the liberality of the Dublin and Cashel Railway company, and we only express the universal feeling of our neighbours when we say, we trust the spirited company may reap an ample return for their kindness and liberality. The Farmer's Stakes is next on the list; and the Selling Stakes will wind up the sports of the day. This we consider a first rate bill of fare, one rarely equalled at a provincial meeting; and when we contemplate the many inducements afforded by a splendid race course, ample sport, first-rate accommodation; the gratification of beholding scenery of surpassing richness and beauty, and a boundless population, powerful, prosperous, and happy, we freely indulge the confident hope that our race meeting will prove one of the most brilliant in the kingdom; but we ought to apologise to our fair readers for omitting to mention what to them may not be the least interesting of the amusements – namely, the Ball; for this there are active preparations in progress, painting and embellishing the rooms; and, knowing how highly popular the stewards are, we do not hesitate to promise them a brilliant and fashionable assembly".

[Carlow Sentinel, July 4th, 1846.]