All over Galway city there was only one question on people's lips: "Are you going racing this evening?" At 3.30 yesterday afternoon, the first helicopters could be heard in the skies over the city, ferrying enthusiasts to the course at Ballybrit, three miles from the city centre. The annual madness that is Galway Race Week had indeed begun. With seven days of racing, Galway is the longest festival of its kind in Europe. Organising it requires major advance planning.

Some 1,000 wage packets were paid out yesterday evening at Ballybrit, covering staff in restaurants, bars, Totes, car-parks and other areas, according to the racecourse manager John Moloney.

Mr Moloney and his staff have been working non-stop for the last few weeks and, since last week have hardly left the racecourse: "Mass on Sunday was just about as much as I got in," he said. Next Sunday, he won't even get a chance to attend church and neither will the workers. But people's spiritual needs will be tended to with a special Mass being held at the racecourse. It will be celebrated by Father Sean Breen, a man known for his love of racing, explains Moloney. Father Breen is a member of a racehorse-owning group entitled, aptly enough, Heavenly Syndicate, which has a horse running this evening.

Monday and Tuesday are evening meetings, and Mr Moloney reckoned a crowd of nearly 20,000 attended yesterday's meeting. Those figures are expected to rise to over 30,000 by Thursday - Ladies' Day. Although it still bears that title, both men and women are eligible to compete in the Best Dressed Person Competition, which this year has a first prize of a £2,500 shopping voucher from Brown Thomas. Despite the glamour, Galway remains very much a local festival, very popular among farmers from all over the west of Ireland, for whom it traditionally marked the end of the haymaking season.

While records of organised races in Co Galway extend back to the 18th century, the first meeting at Ballybrit was held on August 17th, 1869. It was a two-day event attended by some 70,000 people, according to records.

The continued success of Galway Races can be attributed to several factors including history and regularity, Moloney believes. "Some people have asked if this year's meeting is later, but it's traditionally held in the week before the August bank holiday weekend."

Many locals prefer to attend Ballybrit on Monday and Tuesday, as Wednesday and Thursday, traditionally the "big days", tend to be very busy.

Paddy Brennan from Mervue is one such punter. Aged 58, he has been attending the races since he was four years old. "I remember being wheeled up in a go-car," he said. "Since then I've only missed two years." He's an avid punter, but says his maximum bet is £40, and "I wouldn't be doing that on every race". an Lynch, but Mr Lynch won't be attending this year. However, Mr Brennan had found an alternative source for tips and was recommending a couple of quid each way on Message Recu, running in the 6.50 and owned by local group, Cathedral Syndicate. With up to 178,000 people expected to attend this week's meeting, Galway races are worth some £13 million to the local economy, according to Galway Chamber of Commerce. Last year the betting turnover was almost £15 million and that's expected to rise this year.

Fianna Fail is due to attend en masse. Yesterday afternoon, P.J. Mara, wearing sunglasses, dressed casually and carrying an Eason's shopping bag, sauntered down High Street before heading for Ballybrit.

The Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy and Sports Minister Jim McDaid are all due to visit later in the week. They are among the groups hiring corporate tents, as are AIB, Bank of Ireland and the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation. The latter's fund-raising event is expected to attract more than 500 patrons, each of whom will pay £110 to attend the event. Funds raised will go to the new Regional Heart Surgery Unit in Galway.

Those without that kind of money to spend will have their own opportunity to mix with racing personalities when trainer Charlie Swan and jockey Norman Williamson meet punters at Ladbroke's Betting Office in High Street from noon today.