Aine Art,Killashee

Cheltenham is the Mecca for both Irish and English racegoers in the month of March. Trainers and owners of both sides of the pond pit their best horses against each other for big prize money and trophies.It takes a year of hard work and perseverance to ready a horse for Cheltenham. Thousands of Irish punters descend on Prestbury Park with dreams and hopes that their favourite horse will be in the Winners enclosure after the race.If not there is always another race. Every evening during race week you have the traditional Poker Tables where many a good man has lost his shirt, even if he hasnt lost it on the racecourse.This year Longford businessman Philip Reynolds hopes to lift the Cheltenham Gold Cup in a little over six weeks time, with his star chaser Presenting Persy. Percy won at Gowran last week and was immediately cut down to 11-4 for the Gold Cup in March.Certainly one to watch and might be worth a trip to Prestbury Park to cheer on.It could be Longfords year. Come on Percy.Aine...

He is one of the best known publicans in the Midlands, but in Killashee he is a legend, pure and simple.This week Willie Donlon celebrated his 81st birthday and was looking back on a life well lived.In 1957 the Killashee man was serving an apprenticeship in the bar trade in an establishement in Longford town when John Magan walked in and asked Willie if he would work for him in Magans Pub in Killashee.Willie jumped at the chance and in 1960 he took over the business and ran it till 2005 when ill health forced him to take life a bit easier.Willie recalls some great memories from that time.Racing festivals and Football games always brought a crowd to Magans.Albert Reynolds visit to Killashee was a great occassion bringing crowds to Magans.Cheltenham and The Grand National were big days in the pub,the customers betting among themselves and having great craic.People came to the pub on foot or by bicycle as there were very few cars then,and it was a safer return home after closing than it...