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FOR THE FIRST time since 2019, spectators will gather at Punchestown Racecourse in Co Kildare for the long-awaited return of The Punchestown Festival.
Taking place from Tuesday April 26 to Saturday April 30, the festival is set to be bigger and better than ever, says Conor O’Neill, CEO of the racecourse.
“Over the past two years, empty enclosures, lifeless bars, faces behind masks and champions returning to a silent winners enclosure proved one thing for certain – people make the festival,” he says. “Advance ticket sales are a good pre-indictor of crowds and they are strong, so the team are preparing for what could be one of the biggest festivals yet.”
O’Neill says the expected turnout is a “truly fitting homecoming” for the trainers, owners, jockeys and horses who took part in the festival in front of deserted grandstands and silent stadiums over the past two years.
“The energy from the track feeds the enclosures,” he says. “The atmosphere is unbeatable.” Twelve grade one contests are set to take place, with “over €3.3 million in the purse”.
But it isn’t just an event for horse racing fans – the festival offers a day out for the whole family. The Ballymore Festival Family Day is taking place on Saturday April 30, with entertainment for children including a funfair, face painting, an interactive games area, live music and dancing. Plus, children under 14 years of age can attend for free once accompanied with an adult.
Not to forget the famous Bollinger Best Dressed Lady competition – “an occasion to dress up for,” says O’Neill. The finalists will be selected on the first three days of the festival, with the finale taking place on Ladies’ Day, Friday April 29.
The lucky winner will receive a “money-can’t-buy” prize of a VIP trip for two people to the exclusive Bollinger Estate in the champagne region of France. The winner and guest will enjoy a private tour of the estate and guided tasting experience, as well as Michelin star dining, chauffeur transfers, five-star accommodation and more.
In between races, there’s a selection of restaurants, pavilions, bars and private suites where you can enjoy seasonal food and beverages, says O’Neill, or you can browse the Osprey Avenue shopping area which will feature Irish brands with fashion, art, sculpture, homewares and lifestyle products.
Festival-goers can expect a “sound track of cheering, chat, live music and bustling bars,” says O’Neill, and – most importantly – “to celebrate the return of the good times”.
The Punchestown Festival runs from Tuesday April 26 to Saturday April 30. Tickets are available from just €30, with hospitality packages from €149pp. Book now and find out more here.
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But all lives do matter ?
@JillyBean: That was never questioned by anyone. (All lives don’t matter until black lives matter) However, mention that in an event for a marginalised minority is a tactic commonly used by the people who are trying to negate the message.
It was an event for the blacks. He should have stayed on topic.
@JillyBean: they do but the only use of that expression is to shout down BLM.
“X matters” does not require saying “Y matters” unless there’s a suggestion Y doesn’t.
@JillyBean: there was nothing wrong with his comment but BLM movement want everyone feel guilty and like a racist unless you pander to this nonsense.
@JillyBean: Not to some, hence the BLM movement and slogan. Context is important for a great deal of subject matter.
@family guy: Nah, they don’t though.
@Vanessa: It was an event to celebrate Fredrick Douglass’s trip to Ireland and life not an event for the blacks as you put it.
@The next small thing: Whatever makes you sleep at night. I’m not going to entertain putting the suffering of a minority in relevation.
@JillyBean: yes all lives matter and everyone should be treated with respect and compassion.
@JillyBean: hardly the point
@John Kieran: Nah, they do though!
@Vanessa: He did stay on topic. And no, some do have to have it pointed out that the same laws protecting others legally protect them, as well. We are all one race.
@JillyBean: you really need to look at the type of people who shout all lives matter and figure out if you want to be clustered with them.
BLM is a movement for black people which highlights the social injustices and inequities particularly towards black people.
While the movement isnt a perfect one, it is a positive one and on the right side of history.
@JillyBean: Is He not correct,–ALL Lives Matter –, what is the problem there. Do they think that some are MORE Equal than others???.
@JillyBean: yeah but that expression is from a right wing think tank that pops up every time a cop kills an unarmed black person or kid in America.
This is nuts that people have to apologise for saying what is correct.
@Michal Rozanski: He demonstrated a terrible lack of understanding if nothing else. He said that ”the remarks were picked up “incorrectly”’, which isn’t even taking full reponsiblity.
@Michal Rozanski: Great to see you read the article there thoroughly and then made your analysis and final conclusion public so quickly.
@Sean Lynch: I did read the article, and it completely does not change the fact that what he said is correct.
@Michal Rozanski: You are taking it completely out of context and purposely so… Why would you do that with something the means so much to people that clearly suffer under a racist system.
@Chris OB: Explain this “racist system”. How patronising and insulting it must be to know people pity you, when you know you are a competent human being making your own choices. In fact, my black family members think just that.
@Michal Rozanski: I wouldn’t crucify him for saying it, but at the same time the ‘all lives matter’ thing makes no sense and when used as a counterargument in the context of the BLM movement. Nowhere in the words ‘Black Lives Matter’ does it imply that other lives don’t. Of course they do. It’s a weak strawman argument primarily used by people that don’t understand the motivation or reasoning behind the movement.
@Fred spins kdb: Black lives matter implies that somehow these are more important than others, which they’re not. All lives matter should be their slogan, as it makes sense with their mission, which is to create equality for all.
@John Kieran: Full responsibility for what?? This Man said nothing wrong .
@Michal Rozanski: where does it imply that in those 3 words?
@Michal Rozanski: you are totally correct .
@Fred spins kdb: Black lives matter – there, by choosing one race it implies just that.
@Michal Rozanski: is it saying lives of other races dont? No. There are other races that don’t have to worry about being shot 41 times reaching for their wallet, or going to jail for 3 years for stealing a backpack, or being suffocated with a knee on their neck for using a counterfeit 20 dollar bill. The movement was born out of a desire to afford black lives the same worth as all others in the eyes of the institutions that have been consistently oppressing them for generations. Nobody is arguing that all lives don’t have equal worth, but sorry if the slogan annoys you.
Imagine in 2021 that saying ‘all lives matter’ would be something that would cause offense.
What’s it gonna be like in 10 years time with all the political correctness gone mad , and all the younger generation being taught through tiktok videos that their entitled to safe spaces and trigger warnings for everything, it’s alll gone mad Ted.
@Ronan J Walsh: no. The issue is that ALM was used to undermine the BLM movement.
In the case of this article. No harm was meant, he used the phrase trying to be inclusive without realising that could be seen as hurtful to some sections of society and apologised for any confusion.
A useful analogy would be calling residents of the 6 counties British. Lots of those people would get very offended. If it is a loyalist intentionally saying this, it is intended to cause hurt, and they should be called up on it. if it is someone from another country, who doesn’t realise the dynamics of the north, once pointed out that their “factually correct” statement may have upset a section of the community, they would apologise if they are a decent human being.
@Ronan J Walsh: Ah Ronan, Ronan. Saying its “political correctness gone mad” gives the game away.
@john doe: If truth undermines an argument, so be it.
@Ronan J Walsh: You need to understand the Historical Context.
In US history, there were a series of differences between the States, from the Declaration of Independence onwards. Each of these, up to 1876 were “solved” by a series of “Compromises”. EVERY one of these subordinated Black Lives and rights to the “needs” for unity. The first few licenced Slavery and its expansion. The 1876 Compromise licenced Jim Crow Segregation for almost a Century.
White lives mattered; Black lives did not.
Either consciously or not, BLM make explicit that, at this time and in this place, Black Lives Matter, for the first time in History!
All lives matter ! so whats wrong with what he said ! Why is he apologising ?
@IAmSCozzie: Well isn’t it obvious? All lives don’t matter.
@Bert Carolan: what????
Some people just desperately want to be American
@Crocodylus Pontifex: Exactly , BLM have slipped up in revealing their anti family communist agenda and if someone prefers to say ALM that is their right, can see the American cancel culture creeping in here as well, it was all over the comments on another story here last night, bloody sheep.
What a load of Drivel from both sides , No doubt Mr Douglass was a remarkable man deserving of all accolades , but the term all lives matter has now become a stick to beat non knee benders with . You have free speech slowly but surely being cancelled by the permanently offended
@Matt Black: You can’t say that, it’s offensive.
@Matt Black: I was delighted to see Rugby Players staying on their feet last week .
It is hard to take BLM serious all the time, when certain elements have been exposed as dangerous aka the looting/rioting/defund the cops/bullying/cancel culture/racist (ohhh the irony)/anti Jewish/Marxist views and also what happened with the EuroSpar and the guards!
‘Black Lives Matter has come to be associated with racial justice across the globe’.
Has It? I had assumed Black Lives Matter had become a political movement linked to the democrat party.
How does vandalising statues enhance racial justice?
@leartius: So you are obviously black and grew up in USA experiencing the injustice that has driven this movement.
@leartius: I didn’t know BLM were vandalising statutes.
All lives do matter, don’t they?
@Marg FitzGerald: Not to racists, no. It’s way too easy to assume that if you’re doing all right, that everyone else is being treated equally and fairly. In his position, he knows that people don’t always get fair treatment. Prejudice is sly and thriving.
Will we ever stop comparing ourselves to America FFS. Let them do what they do over there and we worry about ourselves. Surely we have enough to be worrying about here right now.
Load of BS. The permanently outraged making a show of themselves yet again. They are insufferable
“When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination.”
Thomas Sowell
The ALM thing is a bit like shouting “SAVE EVERYONE!” at someone collecting for Save The Children. It’s m0ronic.
Nothing to apologise for
Just ignore them, they (minority) are a scourge on society constantly outraged
Like all meaningful mantras,, they can be hijacked by a cohort with a hidden agenda. But it doesn’t seem like that here.
You’re at an event for something very in harmony and at the heart of the BLM message, and you say ALM as a public servant. Accountability is guaranteed. At the very least it’s totally tone deaf.
Very difficult to get everything right these days. Looks like it’s better not to open one’s mouth at all. Of course black lives matter as do all lives.
@Gearóid Ó Murchú: You will never get everything correct, because there are far too many ” Politically Correct ” out there , — can’t say that, can’t do this,– you might — or will–, offend someone. We are being pushed in the wrong direction by the “Politically Correct” Brigade. Tell everyone the truth, stand up against this cruisade that is being washed on us . EVERYONE obey the law as it is in OUR Country .
American lives matters. All lives, not so much.
But we’re all enslaved by banks and corporations! How’s does this all work…………
So mr Douglass effectively ended up campaigning for all lives. How dare he diminish black lives. What a whole load of pious indignant crap all of this is. Being married, heterosexual, male, nearing 60 I feel very very marginalised. I seek equality but that’s a dream. I’m also part of the squeezed so called middle class ( but of course Ireland’s classless). I’ve done my bit – given ireland 3 children to keep the good old Republic marching forward so their taxes can keep those in power in the life to which they are and will be accustomed. Where’s equality for me. Nothing but a dream.
I baffles my how many dopes need to be told that the “too” is implied…Black Lives Matter Too
You dolts
@KSham: Why is the “too” implied, seems like it would save a lot of grief if it was spoken, only a tiny three letter word.
All lives matter
Resign
@Chris OB: Who?
I’ll wait for a more rational critical take on this from blindboy in a week or two, some people in the comments here need help.
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