The start of the Galway Races traditionally always indicated the start of 'builders' holidays', but the racing event has always proven popular with farmers too.

The seven-day festival takes place at Ballybrit, Galway from Monday, July 27 to Sunday, August 2.

During the course of the seven days, 5t of beef will be served and 171,000 pints will be drunk.

As one of the longest running race meetings in Ireland, the festival is expected to welcome over 130,000 racegoers to the racetrack over the festival.

The programme includes top-tier Flat and National Hunt racing, with a total prize fund of €2.19 million.

It is not just the horses that attract the crowds, as a festival of entertainment has also been scheduled, with 50 live music acts, 60 lively bars and restaurants to choose from, and plenty of family-friendly fun.

Galway Races highlights

Monday July 27: Festival kicks off with a special performance by the Galway Tenors in the parade ring. The Connacht Hotel (Qualified Riders) Handicap, known as the Derby for amateur jockeys, offers €110,000 in prizemoney and is the most valuable race for amateur riders in Ireland;
Tuesday July 28: Tribes Tuesday sees local Galway clubs All-Ireland Club Camogie Champions Athenry GAA, Annaghdown GAA, Tuam AC and Sarsfields GAA compete in the 'Five Grand Challenge'. The racing highlight is the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap - the biggest flat race of the week, boasting a prize fund of €120,000;
Wednesday, July 29: €270,000 Tote Galway Plate Day. Also Country Music Day, headlined by Michael English;
Thursday, July 30: Ireland’s most glamorous day out where the fashion is as hot at the racing. Ladies Day, sponsored by Irish skincare brand Ella & Jo, will have prizes for the best dressed and best headpiece. Guinness Galway Hurdle, the most valuable hurdle race run in Ireland, boasts a prize fund of €270,000;
Friday July 31: Athlone Towncentre most stylish competition. On the track, the spotlight turns to the prestigious €110,000 Guinness Handicap over a mile and a half;
Saturday, August 1 & Sunday, August 2: Saturday afternoon’s feature race is the €110,000 BOYLESPORTS Handicap Hurdle. The curtain comes down on the festival on Sunday afternoon with the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Ahonoora Handicap. The entertainment culminates with the colourful and entertaining Mad Hatters Family Fun Day, supported by Ireland West Airport.

Michael Moloney, CEO of Galway Racecourse, said: "We are very proud that the Galway Festival is a major tradition of the Irish summer that unites locals and visitors alike for seven days of unique sporting and social activities.

So, we can’t wait to open the gates and welcome everyone for what promises to be an incredible, action-packed week of competitive racing and top-class entertainment.”

Galway Races facts and figures

54 races; 800 horses; €2.19 million in prize money; 130,000 racegoers expected;
50 live music acts; 60 bars and restaurants; 70,000 meals served; 5t of Irish beef;
171,000 pints served; 5,000+ bottles of wine and champagne;
160 solar panels; 2,700 native Irish trees; 0% waste to landfill; 150 hours of grass cutting;
1,600 festival staff;
10 full-time staff members.