BALLINROBE RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
Located amongst the natural beauty of County Mayo, Ballinrobe racecourse specialises in staging competitive summer evening race meetings.
The course is in a natural amphitheatre, and is well known for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
The first recorded flat racing in Ballinrobe took place during 1773, with the initial steeplechase meeting being staged at a nearby site in 1834. However, a settled venue for racing did not occur until the current site was purchased in 1921.
Ballinrobe is a very fair track, and is often used to give promising juveniles an initial outing. Indeed, before he became an equine legend, Dorans Pride recorded his first ever victory at a 1993 Ballinrobe meeting.
The current fixture list involves around eight meetings of combined flat and national hunt racing, with the first fixture in late April or early May, and the last occurring around the end of August.
For race goers wanting to combine a visit to Ballinrobe with a well earned break, the region around the town has plenty to offer. There is some of the best brown trout fishing in Ireland, a championship golf course at nearby Cloonacastle House, and for the more energetic, a series of hiking trails in the countryside around Lough Carra.
Track facts:
Ballinrobe stages a mixture of flat and national hunt racing.
The actual courses are slightly elevated, and this makes for excellent viewing.
The flat course is run right handed over an oval circuit measuring one mile one furlong in circumference. After the home turn, there is a straight run in to the winning post of two and a half furlongs.
In five and six furlongs sprints on the flat course, the home bend gives a statistical advantage to high drawn horses.
The steeplechase course has six fences.
The hurdles course has four flights
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Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, and Owners and Trainers.
Grandstand and Paddock Ticket.
The relatively new grandstand and enclosure facilities provide superb views of the whole racecourse. This is also helped by the slightly elevated position of the racetrack.
For parties of ten or more, a five course meal is available in the 160 capacity Silver Service Restaurant.
Other race goers can obtain refreshments in the self service restaurant, or in the bars and hot food kiosks which are situated throughout the enclosure.
Disabled facilities:
No information available.
Fixtures:
2012:
Tuesday 01 May
Monday 28 May
Tuesday 29 May
Tuesday 26 June
Monday 23 July
Tuesday 24 July
Monday 13 August
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TRANSPORT LINKS:
By Road:
The racecourse is 2 kilometres outside the town of Ballinrobe, and is just off the N84 trunk road. Ballinrobe is 50 kilometres north of Galway, and 28 kilometres south of Castlebar.
By Rail:
Claremorris railway station is 21 kilometres from the racecourse.
By Bus:
A bus service operates between Claremorris and Ballinrobe.
For full details on Bus Eireann services in the Ballinrobe district, contact Galway bus station on: 091 562 000.
By Air:
The nearest airports are at Galway, 56 kilometres, and Knock, 48 kilometres. Both airports offer services to Dublin, plus some direct flights to U K destinations.
Subject to prior permission from the racecourse management, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Address:
Ballinrobe Racecourse,
Keel Bridge,
Ballinrobe,
County Mayo.
Racecourse telephone no's:
Eire: 094 95 41052 (race days) & 094 95 41811 (non race days).
From UK: 00353 94 954 1052 & 00353 94 95 41811.
Racecourse Fax No's:
Eire: 094 9542636 (race days) & 094 95 41406 (non race days).
From UK: 00353 94 95 42636 & 00353 94 95 41406.
E-Mail: roberaces@eircom.net
ACCOMMODATION:
Mc William Park Hotel Claremorris.
Eire tel no: 094 937 8000.
Telephone number from UK: 00353 94 937 8000.
From UK tel no: 00353 94 937 8000.
The four star McWilliam Park Hotel offers the perfect oasis for race goers attending the nearby Ballinrobe races. Located halfway between Galway and Sligo, the hotel is situated just off the N17. There is easy access to the thriving market town of Claremorris, and Ireland West Airport is a twenty minute drive.
Opened in 2006, the McWilliam Park Hotel is already reknowned for its ambience, first class service, and a professional and friendly staff. The hotel offers 101 well appointed and comfortable en suite guest rooms, all with remote controlled flat screen television, dvd player, wi-fi internet access, and the standard room amenities discerning guests expect from a quality hotel. For guests seeking extra luxury during their stay, the hotel also has two superbly appointed suites.
To accommodate for individual tastes, the hotel provides several dining options. In the relaxing surroundings of Kavanagh’s Lounge, guests can enjoy a lunchtime carvery meal, or they can select from a wideranging menu, with meals being served till 9.00 p m. Alternatively, guests can enjoy dinner in the light and airey surroundings of J.G’s Restaurant. Using the finest local produce, our executive chef provides a superb selection of creative and traditional cuisine, and all our meals can be enjoyed with a selection of hand picked wines suitable for any palate. For guests who would prefer to dine in their room, the hotel also offers a 24 hour room service menu.
Guests have full use of the hotel’s leisure facilities, including; a 18 metre swimming pool, water fountain, and jaccuzzi bath. In addition, the pool deck also offers the cleansing and refreshing facilities of a steam room and sauna. Furthermore, our leisure staff are always on hand to help patrons who wish to use the facilities of our fully equipped gymnasium.
For further details on the McWilliam Park Hotel, or to book directly, use the link below.
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