‘Give me Grand National fences any day over dancing in front of the nation’
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Nina Carberry faced a myriad of questions at the annual launch of the Laytown Races colouring competition at Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh. Jenny MatthewsImage 2 of 2
Nina Carberry with pupils of Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh at the launch of the Laytown Races colouring competition. Jenny MatthewsJockey turned TV personality, Nina Carberry, faced a myriad of questions when she turned up at Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Laytown, before the holidays for the launch of the annual Laytown Races colouring competition.
The school was delighted to host the Ratoath woman for two question and answer sessions with fourth, fifth and sixth classes. Pupils kept Nina on her toes with a barrage of questions concerning everything from her horse racing career, to taking part in 'Dancing With The Stars' and 'Ireland’s Fittest Family'. Widely regarded as one of the greatest amateur riders of all time, Nina enjoyed a terrific near 17-year career in the saddle.
The weather held up and with such large number of pupils eager to meet the retired jockey, organisers were fortunate to be able to have the question and answer sessions outdoors in the sun.
Nina Carberry and Jessica Cahalan, manager of Laytown Races, received the warmest of welcomes from the principal, Bláithin Maguire, Marie D’Arcy, the sixth class teacher, and other staff and pupils.
“The pupils were delighted to get an insight into what Davy Fitzgerald, who I coach alongside on Ireland’s Fittest Family, is really like," Nina says. "Thery were interested in finding out things like my worst injury as a jockey. I was also asked how nerve wracking it was to dance on live TV. Terrifying was my answer! Give me Grand National fences any day over dancing in front of the nation.”
Students from Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, will have the chance to enter a racing themed colouring competition, with all of the entries to be displayed once again at the Laytown Races, on Tuesday 12th September. Entries will be judged on three age categories
The Laytown Race Committee will sponsor gift cards for each category with first prize, €50, second prize, €30, and €20 for third prize, plus a number of highly commended prizes.
“Having beautiful and colourful artwork on show at the Laytown Races adds a lovely dimension to the race meeting and we are looking forward to another fabulous display of talent this year. It is also nice for the local children to see everyone admiring their talents when they come along to races, which is free for children under 16 when accompanied by an adult,” said Laytown Races manager, Jessica Cahalan.