Meet the woman behind Listowel Races as 90,000 visitors prepare to descend on Kerry town
Brenda Daly: 'I think that playing a part in an event so central and important to Listowel, both economically and socially, gives added satisfaction.' Photo: Healy Racing
The Listowel races will see more than 90,000 people plunge the Kerry town into the last hurrah of summer and the reins will be in hands of Brenda Daly to make sure it is a success.
The annual race meeting will take place along the banks of the River Feale from Sunday and it will fall to Brenda to ensure that this crucially important engine of the Kerry economy works smoothly.
Brenda has been secretary of the Listowel Race Company for the past 11 years having worked as assistant to her late father, Brendan since 1993. With the gates opening for the start of the meeting on Sunday, Brenda was this week juggling the unexpected with the vexingly unexpected.
"This morning we have a problem with out ticketing system. There's always something." she said when the met her.
Since her teens at the local convent secondary school, Listowel Races has been part of her life.
"Growing up in the town I was very aware of how important the races were to the local economy," she said. "Hotels, pubs and restaurants over the wider North Kerry and West Limerick area depend on the income from the week to carry them through the leaner winter months.
"So I suppose this has always been a huge part of why I am so immersed in what I do. It is a hugely diverse role ensuring that the 122 stables at the track are ready and that the huge enclosure area is set up so that the caterer has no problems."
She said there is also the race track itself.
"But there is a great team with Paddy Madden looking after the stable yard, He's been doing this work for about 50 years; Dan Connell is the third generation in charge of track and John Sheahan managing the enclosure. Crucially we have a board of directors who are so involved and supportive."
Brenda says being a woman with such major responsibilities has never been an issue.
"I am let get on with the job and enjoy it so much," she said. "I remember at home when dad was the company secretary, it was part of our home as his office was in the house in Lower William Street.
"I would always be helping out, answering the phone and going to the post office as everything was done by mail in those days, before fax and email.
"I think that playing a part in an event so central and important to Listowel, both economically and socially, gives added satisfaction."
During the week the total attendance goes over 90,000. Friday is Lady's Day and the organisers will have up to 25,000 that afternoon.
Between the Tote and bookmakers over €10 million will be wagered. It is estimated the meeting is worth about €14 million to the local economy.
"So there is a big responsibility to ensure that all the moving parts are working in unison," says Brenda.
"But I am not overawed, as we have a great team and the directors under chairman Maurice Carroll are so supportive. There is no negativity. Its always about what is best for the race meeting and the public who come.
"When you have that as a mission statement you know you are always working in the right direction."
Racing photographer, Pat Healy, who is director of Listowel Race Company said there is never pressure on them due to Brenda's work. "Brenda is so good, particularly when there are issues which crop up and need a lot of thought to navigate," he said.
"She has so much experience, we can rely on her to work a way through the most challenging matters. Brenda has a great capacity to listen to everybody. Not just hear what's said, but listen.
"She has great people and management skills and we know Listowel Races is in safe hands as long as Brenda's hand is on the steering wheel."
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