'The relief was short-lived' - more frustration as travelling community return to the Curragh

Following a short respite the Curragh's problems with the travelling community continue after a campsite reappeared at a different location on the County Kildare flat plain over the weekend.

Last week a large group set up a campsite at what is known as the Little Curragh and forced the closure of one of the gallops used by trainers in the vicinity, disrupting plans for some horses travelling to Royal Ascot this week. 

The group vacated the area on Friday but have now taken up residence in a location known as Curragh View. While the group is not currently causing the closure of any gallop, it is blocking access to certain parts of the facility for some trainers. 

Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Curragh racecourse, said the relief he felt initially after the travellers moved on was short-lived.

“Recently there was a problem with caravans in the vicinity of our Fox Covert gallop in the Little Curragh,” said Kavanagh.

“It was a relief when they moved on Friday but unfortunately that was short-lived after they reappeared in a different part of the area known as Curragh View. This area is not directly adjacent to the gallops but it is close to the route that some horses take to get there.

“It has not necessitated any closure but it's blocking some trainers in the southern part of the Curragh in terms of accessing the main gallops and they are needing to change their route to get horses in, depending on which gallops they would like to use."

The area in which the caravans are located is owned by the Department of the Defence. The Curragh is only licensed to operate gallops on the land, which makes it harder to get the travellers to leave.

“We are working with the Department of Defence to see if this situation can be addressed. There is guiding legislation in relation to the ability to stop at the Curragh, so it's a question of enforcing that legislation,” Kavanagh said. 

Read these next:

'It's a massive relief' - key Curragh gallop reopened after travellers' camp disbanded 

Curragh trainers' Royal Ascot plans seriously disrupted as travellers' site forces closure of key gallop 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.