The 2 day August Family Fun Festival at Cork Racecourse, Mallow will see a race run in honour of the racecourse’s late chairman, former Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh, on Monday, August 1st, while the gate money raised on Tuesday, August 2nd will go towards the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Mercy Hospital Foundation.
“Mums and dads looking for ways to entertain the kids during the summer holidays will be delighted to hear that kids go free for our 2 days of fabulous family fun, with a rodeo bull, bouncing castles and a giant slide as well as our own racecourse playground to keep them busy for hours”, says Mary Kelly, sales and marketing manager.
But Mary notes, “There is a serious side to our 2 day event as we pay tribute to the late Joe Walsh who played a huge role in the development of Cork Racecourse, Mallow into the top class facility it is today and we are very grateful for his passion, dedication, vision and leadership during his time as chairman of Cork Racecourse, Mallow from 2006 to 2014. It is with great pride that we honour his memory as we welcome his family and friends as guests of Cork Racecourse, Mallow on Monday, August 1st ”.
Then Tuesday, August 2nd sees the racecourse host its 3rd annual Charity Day, with all proceeds raised at the gate divided between the Injured Jockeys Fund and Cork’s Mercy Hospital Foundation. Entry will be a minimum charge of €10 per person, with children 14 and under free.
Course manager Andrew Hogan says, “Racing is a fast and exhilarating sport for those taking part and for spectators, but jockeys take huge risks every time they race. We know more than most the difference the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund can make to the life of injured jockeys”.
The Mercy Hospital Foundation says the money raised will go towards the on-going development of a Cancer CARE Centre near the 347 bed Mercy University Hospital, which treats over 100,000 patients each year from the Cork, Kerry and Waterford regions, with work due to start in January 2017.
Mary Kelly says, “As a sporting venue we realise how important it is to have good hospitals on hand in case of any injury occurring and we hope that people come along on Tuesday August 2nd, to enjoy all the fun of a day at the races, while helping local charities too”. First race on Monday August 1st is at 2.20pm and 5.55pm on Tuesday August 2nd with free shuttle buses running to the course from Mallow Train Station and the town centre.
