Carrowniskey Races committee devastated to cancel west Mayo beach races

THE Chairman of the Carrowniskey Races says the committee had no option but to cancel Sunday's racing meet on the west Mayo beach after it was covered in stones following recent storms.

The committee of the Carrowniskey Races took the difficult decision on Thursday evening to cancel the races which were due to take place for the first time in six years on Sunday. The races were previously cancelled in 2012 because of poor weather conditions. 

Pat Joyce, the Chairman of the committee told The Mayo News that after inspecting the beach on Thursday they were left with no choice but to cancel at such a late stage.

“To say we are disappointed would be an understatement of the year,” he said. “The storms and high tides which occurred during the week covered the beach with stones. We walked the beach on Thursday at around 4.30 and after talking to the safety officer with the Midlands Horse and Pony Association, it was clear that there was no way we could race horses and ponies on it on Sunday. It was a very difficult decision but as a committee we had no choice but to cancel the races for health and safety reasons.”

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The Carrowniskey Races was due to return on Sunday following a six year absence with a full card of racing including a number of local horses and riders as well as a lot of entertainment planned for the day.

The plans for Sunday were well underway with a marquee at Carrowniskey beach ready to be erected before the weather turned against the committee.

As well as the stones coming on the beach, Pat said the field which they were to use for parking was flooded following heavy rain and he did not believe it would be suitable for parking even if the race was to go ahead.

As the chairman of the committee, Pat paid tribute to his fellow committee members who he said worked tirelessly over the past six months to bring the races back to Carrowniskey. He said they were devastated as were the Louisburgh community who he said had been looking forward to its return.

“It was a very tough decision to cancel the races because we put so much work into getting the insurance and permits which come with organising beach races. We were determined it would go ahead this year after a six year absence but unfortunately the weather did not work in our favour. 

“We have to thank all the community who got behind the races as well as the sponsors, landowners, stewards and Mayo County Council staff for all their help and support,” he said but added they were focused on the races going ahead in 2026.

“Organising beach races can be precarious because it relies on the weather and as we found out when it's against you there is not much you can do.

“As a committee we are determined to go ahead next year and feel a lot of the preparation work has been done. We left it late this year because getting the permits took time but next year we hope to have the races on earlier in the year.”