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The long and enduring love affair with horseracing in Ireland is such that there are superb racecourses found throughout the country, but one place in particular is synonymous with the sport and that is Co. Kildare. Home of the world famous Curragh and many premier stud farms; Co. Kildare has a further two courses of international standing, at Punchestown and Naas. Punchestown Racecourse has the distinction of being the home of Irish National Hunt racing, a title gained for its hosting of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland. Punchestown races are hotly contested by the best riders and runners from both sides of the Irish Sea.
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Part of the appeal of Punchestown is the close proximity to the nation's capital city Dublin, just 22 miles away. On racedays, special buses are laid on from Dublin and a free bus shuttle service for those arriving to nearby Naas by train.
What this means for race fans is easy access to some of the country's best jump racing and for anyone who has some leisure time to spend in and around Dublin, a great day out to remember.
As such, Punchestown races have been well attended since the opening day of the 1868 meeting which attracted 150,000 people, and have become renowned ever since for their friendly party atmosphere.
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There are fine Punchestown races to attend throughout the National Hunt season but one event stands above all others and that is the Festival. The hunt season finale, the Festival is held in the last week in April, over five days from the Tuesday to Saturday on a similar plan to that of the Cheltenham Festival. As the last meeting of the season it is a thrilling and highly celebrated event for which the standard of celebrations is matched by the superior quality of the jump racing on show. 11 Grade I Punchestown races dominate the meeting and these include the Champion Hurdle, Champion Steeplechase, the Champion Novice 4 year old Hurdle and the flagship race, the Punchestown Gold Cup.
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World class racing is certainly the main attraction for keen racegoers but it is also the social side of the Festival which draws the crowds. A renowned live music venue too, the main stage at Punchestown hosts live festival entertainment incorporating children’s shows, fashion shows, music and more.
There is a real buzz about the place with street entertainers and lively bars in which to celebrate with a glass of champagne or a pint of Guinness. The celebrations continue when the racing ends offering plenty of scope for social interaction. Although many choose to make a fashion statement in their finest clothes for the Festival there is no dress code and all are made to feel welcome.
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There are various ticketing options for racegoers, with a range of special deals and packages available. For those who want the full raceday experience incorporating some fine dining in stylish surrounds there is the Punchestown Pavilion Package.
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Costing €169 per person, reduced by €10 for early booking, the package includes entrance into the Reserved Enclosure, table seating for the day, four-course dining for lunch with additional afternoon hot snacks, and official racecard. Also included is a celebrity tipster, access to a private betting facility and post-race live entertainment.
For groups looking for a great day and evening out the Party@Punchestown Pack is ideal. Available for groups of at least 10 people, the package costs just €29 a head and comprises general admission, official racecard, a €5 voucher for drinks and a €5 betting voucher. This represents a saving of €14 on individual standard entry prices. For the same price, the betting a drinks vouchers can be replaced by a €10 food voucher with the Lunch Box Package. Private suites and boxes are also available for hire with all hospitality provided.
This website is operated by Websitebrokers Limited and is not affiliated to any one racecourse or group of racecourses. |
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