I’M a native of Cahirciveen, Co Kerry but for the past 50 years I’ve been living in Listowel. I am married to Ann and we have three daughters and six grandchildren. Although I have no family background in racing, I was attracted to the sport as a child.

The pony racing, which took place every September in Cahirciveen, was something that we really looked forward to. One of the highlights of the year when I was growing up, it’s still going strong. I arrived in Listowel in 1976 and ran my own insurance business up until recently when it was acquired by the McCarthy Insurance Group.

The McCarthy family are steeped in racing themselves. Their best known horse is Kopek Des Bordes who won the Supreme Novices in Cheltenham in 2025 and was most unlucky in the Arkle this year.

When I settled in Listowel, I took a keener interest in racing and regularly attended the local tracks at Tralee, Killarney, Limerick and of course Listowel. Cheltenham is also a regular event for me. I first attended the festival in 1981 and have been an ever present since 1996. Over the years, I have been involved in a few syndicates and after many years of trying, we accomplished a livelong ambition that gave me one of the best thrills in the sport when Tom Doodle won a maiden hurdle at the 2007 Listowel Harvest Festival.

Involved in the syndicate with myself were Mairead O’Carroll, Eamonn O’Caroll RIP, Bryan Quille, John Galvin and Denis Kelly. This was truly a local winner as the syndicate is locally based and the horse was named after a fictitious political candidate created by John B. Keane and several of his friends. Furthermore, the race was called by Listowel native Jerry Hannon who gave an unforgettable commentary.

The horse was trained by Michael Hourigan who also considers Listowel one of his local tracks. I was also involved in a few other syndicates. The Crafty Butcher won several races for us including a hurdle in Listowel. Michael Hourigan was again the trainer.

Forming the club

In 1986, the Listowel Races Supporters Club was formed. We are celebrating 40 years in existence this year. It is quite extraordinary that we have numerous members that have been ever present from day one. Our current treasurer John Croghan, who was a founding member has been on the Committee from the very beginning.

I have been secretary for almost 30 years and have seen the club going from strength to strength. Thankfully in recent years, we have attracted some new younger members on to the committee, that is important to keep the club going and we know that it’s in safe hands.

We are a separate club to the race company, and our prime aim is to support and promote Listowel Races. This year we sponsor two valuable races - the featured Lartigue Hurdle remembering John Molyneaux on Thursday and the Failte Abhaile QR race remembering Pat Scanlon on Friday.

John was a founding member and Pat was a most active committee member for over 30 years. In previous years, we also honoured Liam Healy who also was a founding member. His son Pat is the well-known racing photographer and he is also a director of Listowel Race Company.

Member perks

During race week we have our own room exclusively for members and their guests. We provide complimentary light refreshments each day. A Top Tipster competition, which runs for the entire week, proves very popular with our members.

We have valuable daily prizes and an overall prize for the leading tipster at the end of the festival. There is always plenty of strong competition for these. We run a sweep on a selected race each day, again with valuable prizes on offer.

A racing expert is available daily to mark our cards. With this year marking our 40th anniversary, for existing members, we are having a special draw for 5 free memberships for 2027. Personally, I think we have achieved our initial aims which we set out way back in 1986.

We have an excellent relationship with the Listowel Race Company directors and many of them are also members of our club. The Race Company secretary Brenda Daly and her late father Brendan have always given us tremendous support in all our dealings with them. For that, I am very grateful.

The Listowel Harvest Festival is the biggest annual event in North Kerry and gives the local economy a massive boost. People travel from all over to attend. Aside from racegoers from every part of Ireland, many local people who have made their lives in Britain, America, Australia or various parts of the world return home.

It’s become an annual holiday for so many and next week should be no different. Thankfully, the weather forecast is promising with big crowds expected. Roll on Sunday afternoon! (In conversation with John O’Riordan)