On arriving back in Galway from Australia a number of years ago, a friend of mine remarked that she didn't know how she would get (re) accustomed to Galway, it was so bleak and grey. Some times, especially when it rains, it is difficult to appreciate our city and some times, even when it pours, you just can't help feeling a little smug that you live and work in such a great town.

Despite the sporadic rain in the city on Monday, it was difficult being confined to the office knowing that just a few short miles away, one of the best festivals in the country, possibly the world, was just kicking off. It would make you wonder how people live in other towns and cities knowing that we are spoilt for festivals and summer round entertainment here.

It could just be the smell of the grass or the horse manure, or that I am still coming down from the Galway Arts Festival high but you really can't beat Galway as a place to live, work and play, especially in the summer.

The 31st Galway Arts Festival was a rip-roaring success, with a little something to suit all tastes and performances that were largely accessible to all. Attendance figures were up, box office takings subsequently raised, with standing ovations at many performances.

And now the summer race festival is upon us to exercise the other side of our brains, as we try to compute our winnings, remember the names of distant and not so distant relations and find a way back from the race course in one piece and in time for the post races party in the city.

Galway's Summer Race Festival is Galway at its absolute best. A record 210,000 people attended the summer festival in 2007, and hopes are high that despite the downturn in the economy, those figures can be matched this year, with a total prize fund for the 51 sponsored races reaching close to €2 million.

Contrary to annual reports of influxes of prostitutes, surges in cocaine use, increases in STIs… for the most part, Galway Race Festival is just good clean fun for all the family. It's a great week for the city and proof positive that rather than being the graveyard of ambition, the city is the birthplace of fun. Enjoy!

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