Senator Ollie Crowe wants a minimum of 5,000 spectators each day to be allowed attend the 2021 Galway Races Festival.
Next month’s Galway Races commences on Monday July 26 in Ballybrit with Crowe’s call coming following another landmark in Ireland’s vaccine rollout with more than three million doses now administered.
“By the end of July, 60 per cent of the population will be fully vaccinated including obviously those most at risk from Covid,” Senator Crowe says.
“All over 16s will have been eligible to receive the first dose and the data on how much of a difference one dose makes is clear in that it offers substantial protection. Under these circumstances, there is no reason why Galway Races should not have crowds of at least 5,000.”
He continued: “I think by the end of July with the amount of vaccinations we will have completed there will be minimal need for any restrictions, but certainly Galway Racecourse with the massive land areas between different stands, betting rings, gardens, etc can easily accommodate 5,000 people.
“Giving clearance now for this will allow Galway Races to implement as fair a ticketing procedure as possible so that as many people as possible get the opportunity to attend over the seven days.”
A number of pilot sporting events are already scheduled with crowds being allowed attend fixtures and race meetings.
Tomorrow evening 100 spectators will be permitted into Eamonn Deacy Park for Galway United’s SSE Airtricity League first division encounter against Athlone Town.
Senator Crowe believes that the Galway Races should be allowed thousands through the turnstiles.
“By that point, as well as being much further along in the vaccine rollout, we will have had a number of pilot events to learn from including a Curragh racing event which will host 1,000 people at the end of this month as well as learning from events being held in other countries,” he added.
“The Galway Races are a hugely important festival for many people of the city and county who view attendance as a tradition and for the economy of the city with many businesses reliant on this week.”
The issue was raised in Seanad Éireann by Senator Crowe, who confirmed he has written to party colleague and Minister for Sport, Jack Chambers, on the matter and he is hopeful approval will be given in the coming weeks. Senator Crowe also intends to hold discussions about the Galway Races with An Taoiseach Michéal Martin this week.
