We had a nice encounter recently with a racing jockey in Tramore, with a taste for flying.
We met Jockey Patrick O Hanlon, outside Tramore Racecourse on Saturday last, dressed in his racing apparel and asked if he was trying to get somewhere. He told us he was hoping for a taxi. He had just won the first race two hours earlier.
Patrick was on his way to the airport – “Is that Dublin?” I asked.
Yes, he was going to Dublin, but via Waterford Airport and needed to go soon in the event of light fading. He was trying to get an Uber but all cabs were busy, we offered him a lift. Cab drivers were busy for the holiday weekend.
We duly brought him to Waterford Airport. He told us he would be flying his own plane himself and had his rucksack plus jockey’s hard hat. We got there in quick time. We mentioned how Waterford Airport needed a longer runway and would he be interested in posing for a picture for the newspaper and highlight the advantages of regional airports like Waterford. He completely agreed and obliged us.
Jockey, Paddy O’ Hanlon getting ready to fly from Waterford Airport after race win.
Patrick was flying an American-made Grumman Cheetah AA5, landing at a private landing strip in north Dublin.
Patrick rode a winner on Saturday in the first race at Tramore for Dermot McLoughlin, with Amanha French-bred horse, owned by the Wild Geese syndicate in the family day mares steeplechase.
Paddy had another ride but “with not as much luck for Philip Rothwell”.
He rides also for trainer, Ian Donoghue.
On arrival in Dublin on Saturday last, he texted us to say he arrived well and thanked us for the lift. The day before, he had been in Tralee at the dog track with his brother.
While the airport may not be in the headlines, we explained that it was here where Ryanair started and he was aware of that fact, but he agreed that there should be more state supports for airports in the regions.
A native of Dublin, he lives with family in Meath.
Hope our ministers take note – and get action on the runway extension!
Kieran Walsh
