Winning start to All-Ireland series for camogie side

Date Published: 27-Jun-2012

THE Mulholland name has been synonymous with bookmaking for a long time in the West of Ireland. Exactly how long? Well, in 2010 the family celebrates the 75th anniversary of the opening of their first betting office by John Mulholland Snr.

The premises was based in Abbeygate Street in Galway City and in 1935 the betting office was a very different place to the modern-day flat screen filled environment. By law, windows were blacked out and, of course, there were no televisions or even live commentary.

Looking back, it’s hard to figure out how anyone went into the shops but nevertheless the business survived and in the mid-thirties, John’s son Eddie (or Ned) took over the reins. Helped by his profile as an All-Ireland winner with Galway footballers in 1938, he opened offices in Forster Street, William Street West, Athlone and Lahinch. He also opened the Hilltop Hotel in Salthill which became a musical landmark venue in Galway during the 70s and 80s.

In the early 70s, the business transferred to John Mulholland and even during the difficult times of the eighties, he was able to expand the number of offices to ten. John’s bookmaking pitch was also a permanent fixture at the Galway Greyhound track during this period.

Nowadays, John’s sons, Alan and Eddie are running the business which has changed enormously over the past 75 years. “Technology has revolutionised gambling and the pace of change is accelerating each year’, says Alan. “Betting offices have become more comfortable and the range of betting markets has increased beyond belief.”

Internet gambling provides a huge opportunity for the company but an area they admit that is hard to enter alone. Recently, Mulhollands announced that they have joined forces with six of the best independent bookmakers in the country to launch BetPack.com, an online gambling site.

“Combining our resources gives us the financial strength to access the best technology and market our brand on a national level,” adds Alan. “Our shops will act as the customer interface for the website, answering technical questions and allowing cash deposits or withdrawals.”

Eddie agrees: “These are exciting times for our company. Our great grandfather started with a shop offering betting on horse racing to the Galway public. Now we can offer the people of the West of Ireland the opportunity to play poker with anyone in the world!”

To celebrate their 75th Anniversary, tea, sandwiches and other refreshments will be laid on in all their offices in the city during Galway Race Week. In addition, the firm will be enhancing prices on selected horses, offering an array of money back specials, extra places for each way bets and paying ¼ odds for all races.

As usual, John Mulholland will be operating a pitch in the betting ring at Ballybrit, but if punters can’t make it to the track, a Mulholland betting office might be the best alternative to soak up the Galway races atmosphere.