On-course-bookmaker Ellen Martin from Ballincollig in County Cork is one of just a few female bookmakers working on Irish racecourses and is determined to make her mark in this traditionally male dominated world.
Ellen's first taste of bookmaking came as a child when she started clerking for her father at flapper meetings and pony racing in west Cork. Then when her father started doing point-to-point meetings she worked for him until finally, when she came of age, Ellen went out on her own.
As part of a series on on sporting Ireland, Colm Murray catches up with Ellen at the Kilbeggan Racecourse in County Westmeath, where she is busy taking bets and engaging with the punters. After a couple of heavy losses which Ellen cheerfully notes will have her
Paying out all night
Fortunes change at the concluding event and Ellen ends the day in profit. She loves every second of her work and hopes she will be able to continue full-time as a bookmaker in the future.
If I don't I'll still enjoy a day at the races no matter what.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 13 August 2001. The reporter is Colm Connolly.
