Shantallow Library will be the venue for the launch of a new book, The History of Ballyarnett Racecourse and the Derry/Londonderry Races by local author, Tom Deeney, on Tuesday 29^th May, from 7.00pm.

This book will at long last fill one of the great voids in our knowledge of the history of the Derry area. The History of Ballyarnett Racecourse and the Derry/Londonderry Races by Tom Deeney, chronicles in great detail the story of the establishment and conduct of official racing under Turf Club Rules at Ballyarnett.

Placed within the context of the development of properly organised racing throughout Ireland, it traces the background from the days of the strand racing between Pennyburn Mill and Brook Hall and details the parts played at various times throughout Ballyarnett’s history by some of the country’s most prominent citizens. All the prominent winning horses, including Irish Derby and Grand National winners which raced here, are dealt with.

Author Tom Deeney was born in Shantallow and has always been interested in the area’s racing past. Some years ago he realised that in order to compile an authentic account of Ballyarnett’s history, several avenues of enquiry had to be pursued. The book is the result of thorough research which included a number of week-long visits to Irish racing’s headquarters at The Curragh where he was afforded exclusive access to the records of the Turf Club, dating back to the year 1790. Research of racing material pre-dating 1790 required several similar trips to Mr. J.P. McManus’s Martinstown Stud in Co. Limerick.

This research has been complemented by numerous visits to several libraries throughout Ireland and important material has been obtained from Weatherbys, Northamptonshire, the British Library, London, London Metropolitan Archives, the Equine Research teams at Trinity College Dublin and at U.C.D., and from the Irish Georgian Society, Dublin.

The book, consisting of 384 pages, is in hardback with a lovely dust jacket, and is extensively illustrated with over one hundred illustrations, thirty-one of which are in colour.

Stephanie McNicholl, Shantallow Branch Library Manager, adds:

“The book will be officially launched in Shantallow Library on Tuesday 29^th May, from 7.00pm - 9.00pm. Light refreshments will be available and signed copies of the book will be on offer at a special launch price. Everyone is welcome!

The book can also be purchased at the launch price of £20, by contacting Tom Deeney directly on telephone number: 075 1922 3809 or by email to tom.deeney@hotmail.co.uk

For further information, contact Shantallow Library (92 Racecourse Road, BT48 8DA) on telephone number: 028 7135 4185 or email: shantallow.library@librariesni.org.uk

For details of all events in libraries across Northern Ireland, go to www.librariesni.org.uk