High drama, supreme skill and a huge helping of exuberantly Irish joie-de-vivre are some of the key hallmarks of a racing spectacular that leaves many another prestige event looking “quiet” by comparison.

High drama, supreme skill and a huge helping of exuberantly Irish joie-de-vivre are some of the key hallmarks of a racing spectacular that leaves many another prestige event looking “quiet” by comparison.

The Galway Racing Festival has evolved to represent everything that makes Irish culture wonderful, as might be expected from a top class showcase for that most precious of Emerald Isle skills - horse racing.

A glance at the racing form for the events over seven action-packed days is enough to justify the traditional view that Ireland, as a horse-rearing, training and racing nation, is simply unbeatable.

Wonderful to attend,<a rel="nofollow" href="http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-ie/events/galway-festival" target="_blank" title="William Hill Ireland Site"> Ireland's Galway Festival 2015 - the best online betting experience </a>- is a party everyone can enjoy.

There is plenty of light-hearted entertainment to go with the on-course action, particularly on Family Day and - the very antithesis of more strait-laced events - the extravagant Mad Hatters’ Competition (for the most insanely “out there” hat in all Ireland).

And it can sometimes seem a moot point whether the arts, cuisine and other festival attractions are there to support the horse racing, or the other way around.

But only until the race actually begins (full details at the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-ie/events/galway-festival" target="_blank" title="William Hill Site Ireland">William Hill site in Ireland</a>) and horse racing punters across the length and breadth of Ireland, and of course Britain, drop everything to tune into a mesmerising display of thrilling equine power and skill.

<img style="width: 781px; height: 537px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/media/1100/rsz_horse_racing_2.jpg?width=781px&height=537px" alt="Irish Festival 2015" rel="84690" /> The famous seven days Summer Races http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-ie/events/galway starts on July 27, in a carnival which joyfully revels in glories of its wonderful setting - with a dazzling bill of fare which takes in everything from unforgettable music to scintillating fashion ... and the promise of the odd visit to one of the world-famous real Irish pubs.

Add all of these major ingredients together and you have a seven day feast of sporting excellence that doubles as a rousing celebration of Celtic artistry and hospitality - a visitor tourism attraction that can rival world class events across Europe.

Meanwhile the racing element is deadly serious, with nearly 140,000 people flocking to last year’s festival and a prize fund of 1.5 million Euros for the 52 different races on offer.

One particular off-course favourite is the Friday’s Fair Lady Competition on July 31, in which the winner of the Best Dressed competition receives a Shop and Stay package courtesy of the Athlone Town Centre Shopping Centre and Sheraton Athlone Hotel.

That in itself is a clue to the way the festival is organised, for while not everyone can win a prize there are many different ways of tapping into the fun via special deals covering specific elements of the programme on particular days.

Possibly most popular is the flagship Guinness Handicap, a one mile four furlongs test of endurance which grabs the attention from start to nerve-jangling finish - and which carries a 110,000 Euros reward for the winner.

Some would argue, and with some justification, that there’s no substitute for being in Galway in person - as a holiday option it’s a compelling alternative to the routine break in the Mediterranean sun.

But equally people across the British Isles are increasingly making the festival an online racing highlight every bit as popular as the major annual events of the UK racing calendar.