Case Studies

Impact in Action

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Equine Sports

Meeting the Unique Logistical Demands of Galway Races

The Galway Races Summer Festival is a cornerstone of Ireland’s sporting calendar, drawing 150,000 patrons to Ballybrit Racecourse over seven days each year. As one of the country’s largest flat-racing spectacles, it features permanent grandstands, temporary hospitality marquees and a vibrant village area with retail, catering and entertainment zones. Ryans Cleaning delivered a turnkey cleaning solution—maintaining pristine conditions across this diverse footprint despite fluctuating visitor flows, changing weather and tightly scheduled race programmes.

Challenges

  • Complex Site Footprint: Cleaning multi-level stands, concourses, marquees and grassed zones, each requiring distinct protocols.
  • High Waste Throughput: Managing 15,000 refuse bags and 7,000 bin liners without disrupting visitor movement.
  • Variable Peak Periods: Responding to sudden surges at washrooms, bin stations and catering areas during headline races.
  • Extended Operating Hours: Providing continuous service from dawn until well after dusk.

Solution

  • Pre-Festival Site Survey & Planning: Three months prior, comprehensive surveys mapped waste hotspots and access routes, informing staffing and equipment staging.
  • Zonal Team Structure: Five dedicated teams for stands, hospitality, media, retail and stables, each equipped with mobile cleaning stations and tailored kits.
  • Tiered Waste-Management Rotations:
    • Rapid Response Sweeps every 30 minutes during peak periods.
    • Bulk Collection Runs three times daily for refuse and recycling.
    • Overnight Deep-Clean Cycles to sanitise high-touch surfaces and reset public areas.
  • Flexible Staffing: Staggered shifts and on-call reserves ensured consistent coverage across all hours.
  • Eco-Friendly Products: Biodegradable disinfectants and high-pressure steam cleaners maintained hygiene without environmental impact.

Overview

Location

Ballybrit Racecourse, Galway,, Ireland

Patrons

150,000 annually

Main Challenge

Managing high waste throughput across diverse zones

Key Service

Zonal teams with tiered waste-management rotations

Specialised Task

Processing 15,000 refuse bags and 7,000 bin liners

See Also

Punchestown Racecourse

Equine Sports

Burghley Horse Trials

Equine Sports

Results:

Over the course of the Galway Races Summer Festival, Ryans Cleaning supported a crowd of 150,000 patrons while managing the removal of over 15,000 refuse bags and distributing more than 7,000 bin liners. These figures reflect not only the scale of the event, but the precision and consistency of our cleaning operations in maintaining a safe, clean, and enjoyable environment every day.

 

150,000

Patrons

15,000

Refuse Bags

7,000

Bin Liners

TESTIMONIALs

Client Experiences and Feedback

Ryans Cleaning have been our cleaning partner for over twenty years and we have always had an open and honest relationship which has been key to our very successful partnership. Ryans have consistently delivered a great service and have also been extremely flexible with regard to our changing circumstances. This has meant changes and adjustments to contract terms which have been discussed and agreed in a positive and understanding manner. I am particularly pleased that the senior management team are always available and approachable.

The team on the ground are adaptable and achieve a very high standard but are also flexible to our needs and those of our customers. As Galway Races is such a large festival with huge attendances it is very important that a thorough job is completed so it is great to have Ryans Cleaning as our partner to ensure these standards are met. I have no hesitation in recommending Ryans, as they have, as proven by the length of time they have been with us, consistently delivered a very high standard of work and professionalism.

Michael Moloney

Chief Executive, Galway Racecourse

Conclusion & Key Takeaways

Detailed planning, zone-specific teams and tiered rotations enabled seamless service at Galway Races.

These practices are now standard in Ryans Cleaning’s annual festival playbook.

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