Race meetings worth travelling for
Horse racing in Ireland.
Build a trip around Ireland’s major Flat and National Hunt festivals, then compare the racecourse, town, transport and accommodation that make the whole visit work.
A year-round sporting calendar
Choose the meeting before the route.
Ireland’s 26 racecourses range from major festival venues to distinctive regional tracks. Some focus on Flat racing, others on National Hunt, while several host both.
The timing below is a planning guide rather than a fixture guarantee. Confirm the current date, ticket arrangements, first-race time and transport directly with the racecourse before booking non-refundable travel.
Headline racing festivals
Key meetings across the year.
Each card links to the racecourse or official festival website for current fixtures, tickets and visitor information.
Late January / early February
Dublin Racing Festival
Leopardstown · DublinA two-day winter festival and one of the strongest jumps meetings in the Irish calendar.
Official meeting informationEaster weekend
Irish Grand National Festival
Fairyhouse · County MeathThree days of Easter racing centred on the historic Irish Grand National.
Official meeting informationLate April / early May
Punchestown Festival
Punchestown · County KildareFive days that bring the Irish jumps season to a major festival finale.
Official meeting informationMay
Irish Guineas Festival
The Curragh · County KildareThe Irish 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas headline an important early-season Classic weekend.
Official meeting informationLate June
Irish Derby Festival
The Curragh · County KildareIreland’s flagship Derby meeting at the centre of the country’s thoroughbred heartland.
Official meeting informationLate July / early August
Galway Races Summer Festival
Ballybrit · County GalwaySeven days of racing and city atmosphere, combining Flat and National Hunt action.
Official meeting informationSeptember
Irish Champions Festival
Leopardstown & The CurraghA two-course weekend featuring elite Flat racing in Dublin and County Kildare.
Official meeting informationSeptember
Listowel Harvest Festival
Listowel · County KerryA seven-day festival where racing, town life and Kerry hospitality come together.
Official meeting information26–29 December
Christmas Racing Festivals
Leopardstown & LimerickFestive fixtures in Dublin and Limerick provide a lively finish to the racing year.
Official meeting informationRacecourse directory
All 26 courses across Ireland.
Use the regional groups to connect a race day with a wider itinerary. The official Association of Irish Racecourses directory provides the latest course and fixture links.
Dublin & Ireland’s Ancient East
- Leopardstown
- The Curragh
- Naas
- Punchestown
- Bellewstown
- Fairyhouse
- Laytown
- Navan
- Dundalk Stadium
South & South East
- Clonmel
- Cork
- Gowran Park
- Limerick
- Thurles
- Tipperary
- Tramore
- Wexford
West, Midlands & North West
- Ballinrobe
- Galway
- Kilbeggan
- Roscommon
- Sligo
Kerry
- Killarney
- Listowel
Northern Ireland
- Down Royal
- Downpatrick
Build the trip around race day
Book the practical details early.
Festival weekends can put pressure on nearby rooms and transport. Confirm official admission first, then choose a base that works for both the racecourse and the rest of your Ireland itinerary.
Plan responsibly: Adventure Ireland provides spectator travel information, not betting advice. Fixtures and access arrangements can change, so always verify details with the official racecourse before travelling.