Money first past post at Ballybrit

IF the country is going down the tubes why do record numbers keep attending the Galway races? Surely it’s a rather costly spot to enjoy a few hectic days? There’s no sign at Ballybrit of the painful process that former Taoiseach Charles Haughey described as belt tightening.

If anything Galway is all about belt loosening as everything from oysters, to Indian curries and Guinness are devoured with aplomb.

Queues of more than 200 continuously wait to withdraw cash from the ATM machine at the course and there's nothing you cannot buy if you're willing to pay big.