A NEW book telling the history of Mitchelstown Races was launched in The Hunter’s Rest in Mitchelstown, Co Cork, last Saturday.

Written by Ollie O’Donoghue, the book brings together rare photographs, reports, and all the facts and figures from 125 years of racing at Mitchelstown, as well as insightful interviews with those who were present. The last meeting at Mitchelstown took place in 1958.

O’Donoghue grew up and went to school in Mitchelstown and moved to London 10 years ago. He has written about racing for years and was previously a bloodstock journalist for the Racing Post.

While working on the book, Ollie regularly returned home to visit the old racecourses and to speak to people who attended and participated in the races.

“The Mitchelstown Races are a wonderful part of our town’s history,” Ollie said. “I was lucky to be able to speak to so many interesting people, which really helped bring the newspaper reports and photographs to life. I hope readers will get as much enjoyment from this book as I did writing it.”

Copies are priced at €23.20/£20 which includes delivery to anywhere in Ireland or the UK.

Email: ollieodonoghue@outlook.com

Web: mitchelstown.myshopify.com