ANOTHER sign that summer is on the way is the realisation that Ballinrobe stages its first meeting of the year in less than two weeks’ time on Friday evening, April 14th. This is the first of 10 fixtures this year at the Co Mayo track.

Ballinrobe will partner with a host of well-known Mayo faces including legendary footballers Lee Keegan and Donal Vaughan, entrepreneurs and social media influencers Mandy Maher, Jennifer Wrynne and Kieran O’Malley, sports broadcaster Mike Finnerty and Ballinrobe Races’ fans Tony O’Connor and Henry McGlade as part of their the ‘I’m Going Racing - Are You?’ campaign.

The campaign aims to make racing as inclusive as possible and act as an introduction to racing at Ballinrobe for those who haven’t previously visited the Mayo racecourse. The campaign will be rolled-out on Ballinrobe’s social channels.

McHale Raceday on Monday May 29th, the first day of the two-day May Festival, is Ballinrobe’s richest race day and features the famed McHale Mayo National and the McHale Mayo Hurdle.

Ballinrobe’s renowned sporting and social atmosphere combine on Monday, June 26th for The Lodge at Ashford Castle ladies’ day where milliner and influencer Jennifer Wrynne will act as celebrity judge.

The winner will walk away with two nights bed and breakfast in a Lakeview Suite in The Lodge at Ashford Castle with dinner on one evening in Wilde’s restaurant and a cash prize of €1,000. The four runners-up will receive dinner for two in Wilde’s Restaurant in The Lodge at Ashford Castle.

Ballinrobe’s two-day July Festival will kick-start on Monday, July 24th with the racecourse’s biggest family day yet. Children and their families will enjoy lots of free activities including face painting and a host of carnival games while award-winning country singer Cliona Hagan is the headline act after racing on Tuesday, July 25th.

John Flannelly, Ballinrobe Racecourse Manager, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming racegoers back to Ballinrobe this year. We have been working hard to put together a schedule of racing and entertainment that, we hope, will appeal to everyone. Special thanks go to all our loyal sponsors - we are excited to work with them over the course of our season and beyond.

“Tickets are available to purchase online at ballinroberacecourse.ie and the €20 Friday Fever package for our opening night on April 14th offers exceptional value for any groups of friends or work colleagues who are looking for a great evening out.”