SEVEN days of racing that has inspired art, poetry and song for decades light up Ireland in the height of summer.

Beginning on the last Monday evening in July, the Galway Races are often considered a benchmark of the year as it falls in the two weeks of the traditional builders' holiday.

It has been sung about by folk musicians Luke Kelly and Christy Moore, written about by poet William Butler Yeats and features two of the richest jump races of the year inthe Guinness Galway Hurdle and Thetote.com Galway Plate, won in recent years by the likes of Ansar, Bahrain Storm, Finger Onthe Pulse and Overturn.

With three evening meetings, two mid-week afternoon cards, a Saturday fixture and Sunday's Family Day boasting a crazy-hat competition, there is something for everyone during a week when a whole city parties.