04 Irish Racing : HID Betfair Education

Wexford

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:11:00 +0000

Records show that racing took place in the area as far back as the 1870s but the current set up and course date from the 1950s.

Tramore

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:08:13 +0000

Racing in the area was originally held on a nearby beach and records show meetings taking place since the 1780s.

Tralee

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:05:39 +0000

The town is famous for the 'Rose of Tralee' festival, but that beauty contest originally started off as a side-show to the racing festival.

Tipperary

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:01:29 +0000

If you think that race cancellations due to the weather are a pain, spare a thought for Tipperary racegoers in the early 1870s where the first meetings in the area were cancelled due to an outbreak of smallpox!

Thurles

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:29:36 +0000

Records show that a three-day festival took place here as far back as 1732, and the locality has a very strong racing tradition.

Sligo

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:27:20 +0000

Records show that racing has taken place in this area from at least the 1780s, but the current course dates back to the 1950s.

Roscommon

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:23:33 +0000

The British Army once had a base in Roscommon and they organised the first race here in the 1830s. However, race meetings only became a frequent event from the 1880s onwards.

Punchestown

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:20:41 +0000

If you want to annoy an Irishman, you should describe the Punchestown festival as 'Ireland's answer to Cheltenham'. I've heard that many times over the years but any Irishman who knows his racing however, will quickly quip back that the Punchestown festival pre-dates Cheltenham by 75 years!

Navan

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:50:15 +0000

The racecourse at Navan first opened in 1920, and was originally known as Proudstown Park.

Naas

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:54:23 +0000

Situated in County Kildare, Naas is a historic Irish town known as 'Nás Na Ríogh' in the Irish Language - meaning 'Meeting place of Kings'.

Listowel

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:47:44 +0000

The highlight of the year at Listowel is the week-long 'harvest' festival, usually held in mid-September.

Limerick

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:44:23 +0000

Racing has taken place in various parts of Limerick since 1790, but the present course was opened in October 2001 and boasts modern, comfortable facilities.

Leopardstown

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:34:30 +0000

Leopardstown hosts some of the biggest flat and jumps races on the Irish calendar, and opened its doors in 1888.

Laytown

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:29:50 +0000

Not all readers will be familiar with Laytown, despite the fact that racing has taken place there since 1876.

Killarney

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 13:25:56 +0000

Often described as one of Ireland's most beautiful racecourses, Killarney nestles between mountains and lakes, and a visit to the track is always a pleasure - win or lose.