Welcome to the Dublin Horse Racing Section,
part of the Dublin Uncovered guide to Dublin, Ireland.

Welcome to the Dublin Horse Racing Section, in which we include the a guide to horse racing and racecourses in Dublin. Horse racing is a very popular past time in Ireland, with some excellent horses bred in the country. There are five main racecourses in and around Dublin, so no matter what time of year, you're guaranteed not to have to wait long before the next meet. A day at the track is an excellent day out, even if you've no interest in horseracing or betting. Below are links to the main courses with information on how to get to them.

Fairyhouse Racecourse, County Meath, Home of the Grand National
Fairyhouse, Home of the Grand National

The five main courses which are in or around Dublin are listed below, with some general information included...

  • THE CURRAGH - The Curragh is one of Ireland's oldest racecourses, the name is actually the Gaelic name for racecourse and is home to the Budweiser Irish Derby 2003. It is located in County Kildare about 29 miles from Dublin. There is a train service to the Curragh and a bus service on race days.

  • FAIRYHOUSE RACECOURSE - Fairy house is home to Ireland’s premier National Hunt race, the Irish Grand National, which is run every year. Located in Ratoath, County Meath, the racecourse is about 12 miles from Dublin. Bus Eireann provide a specail bus on race days.

  • LEOPARDSTOWN RACECOURSE - Leopardstown Racecourse hosts 22 race-meetings a year, with a mixture of National Hunt and Flat fixtures, with the Christmas festival and the Gold Cup the highlights. Leopardstown is the only remaining racecourse in Dublin, located about 12 miles from the city-centre. A bus leaves Busaras on race days.

  • NAAS RACECOURSE - Naas racecourse is located in the heart of the Thoroughbred County, Kildare about 25 miles from the city-centre. Special Bus Eireann Service's are available for race meetings. All of the facilities at the track have just been upgraded and it is a quality racecourse.

  • PUNCHESTOWN RACECOURSE - \Punchestown is a wonderful racecourse, one of the best in the British Isles and has some famous races, the Ladies Perpetual Cup and the Quinns of Baltinglass Steeplechase for the La Touche Cup in the National Hunt Festival which takes places every Spring. It is located in Co. Kildare and is only 30 mins from Dublin. A specail bus service is available from Busaras on race days.

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