CORK MALLOW RACECOURSE.
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Introduction:
Cork Mallow racecourse is situated just outside the town of Mallow, and is centrally located between the major conurbations of Cork City, Limerick City, and Killarney.
The actual racing surface is bordered on one side by the River Blackwater. The position of the river is ideal for those who like to mix their sports, as the waters are famous for there salmon fishing.
In the sport of horse racing, County Cork has a historic tradition of innovation. For example, in 1752, a wager between two sporting gentlemen, Edmund Blake and Cornelius O’Callaghan, created the circumstances were racing over fences became known as Steeplechase Racing. The historic facts are quite simple. The two men wanted to find out which of their horses was the better jumper and stayer. To achieve this, they organised a four and a half mile cross country race from the steeple of the church of Saint John at Buttevant, to the steeple of the church of Saint Mary’s in Doneraile. Although Blake won, and claimed his prize of a cask of wine, In historic terms, both men became winners, as they had laid the foundation of a whole new form of horse racing. There race, and achievement, is commemorated on a monument in the village of Buttevant, and it is well worth a visit when attending Mallow races.
Archives show, the first organised racing in the Mallow area dates back to 1777, when a six day meeting took place under the title of the Kings Plate Articles. Eventually, a settled venue for regular racing emerged at Cork Park, and this site hosted racing fixtures until its closure in 1917. For seven long years, Irelands largest county had no official racecourse, and it required the organisational talents of Lieutenant Colonel F F Maccabe to rectify the situation. Under his determined leadership and guidance, the Mallow course was constructed and opened for racing in 1924.
In the current nineteen days of racing at Cork Mallow, the three day Easter Festival meeting marks the start of the joint flat and national hunt cards, which then continue through the summer months. While the winter national hunt campaign starts with the Paddy Power Cork National in October, and then continues with some of Irelands more significant winter jump races.
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Track facts:
Cork Mallow stages both flat and national hunt racing.
To ensure fresh ground for competitive racing, the rails on the various courses are moveable, and this means the lengths of the three circuits can vary.
The hurdles course is the innermost circuit. It is run right handed over an oval shaped course which can vary between ten and twelve furlongs in circumference. There are six evenly distributed flights of hurdles, with three situated in the back straight, and the other three positioned prior to the winning post on the home straight.
The flat course is run right handed over an oval course which varies in length between eleven and twelve furlongs. A chute measuring two and a half furlongs cuts across the steeplechase track, and joins on to the home straight, thus producing a straight sprint course for races up to six furlongs in duration.
The steeplechase course is the external circuit of the three. It is run right handed over a non undulating oval which varies in length between thirteen and fourteen furlongs.
Using the finishing line as the starting point of a single circuit, the eight steeplechase fences are evenly distributed in the following circuit pattern: three plain fences, the first open ditch, two more plain fences, the second open ditch, and the final plain fence.
Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse.
Grandstand and Paddock Ticket.
The racecourse at Mallow underwent extensive rebuilding in the late nineteen nineties, and this included a Grandstand built opposite the winning post. This facility also offers excellent views over the whole course.
The Grandstand Restaurant is located on the third floor, and apart from offering fine dining for parties of race goers numbering from an intimate 2, up to a corporate 300, it also offers superb views of the racecourse, with particularly good observation of the racing action in the home straight.
There is also a self service restaurant, three fully stocked bars, and a snack bar.
For the perfect start or finish to a perfect day say it with flowers:
Disabled facilities:
The racecourse is very wheelchair friendly, and there is access to all areas, including lift access to facilities in the grandstand.
An elevated viewing platform is available on the running rails.
Specialist toilet facilities are provided.
Fixtures:
Saturday 22 August.
Sunday 23 August.
Saturday 17 October.
Sunday 18 October.
Sunday 01 November.
Sunday 15 November.
Sunday 13 December.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
The N20 links Mallow with Cork City, 55 kilometres south, and Limerick City, 64 kilometres north.
As the N20 passes through Mallow town, it has to negotiate a roundabout. At this roundabout, race goers should turn off, and follow the N72 Killarney Road. This route then goes under a railway bridge. The racecourse is located about two kilometres down this N72, Mallow to Killarney Road.
Race goers coming from Dublin or Waterford, will approach on the N72 and N73 respectively. On approaching Mallow, both should take the Town Park
by pass, which conveys traffic to the roundabout near the railway bridge, then follow as above.
By Rail:
Mallow station is served by trains from Cork, Dublin, Killarney, and Tralee.
Mallow railway station is around two kilometres from the racecourse.
By Bus:
Bus Eireann operate a bus service between Mallow and Cork City bus station. A connecting coach service then offers travel to Cork airport.
For details on local Bus Eireann routes, please contact, Parnell Place bus station, Cork:
Eire tel no: 021 450 8188.
From UK tel no: 00353 21 450 8188.
By Air:
Cork airport is forty one kilometres from the racecourse and has flights to Belfast, Dublin and Galway, all three London airports, and thirteen UK regional airports.
Subject to prior permission from the racecourse company, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address:
Cork Racecourse Mallow Ltd,
Killarney Road,
Mallow,
County Cork.
Eire tel no: 022 50 207.
From UK, tel no: 00353 22 50 207.
Eire fax no: 022 50 213.
From UK, fax no: 00353 22 50 213.
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ACCOMMODATION.
Charleville Park Hotel Charleville.
Eire tel no: 063 33700.
Tel no from UK: 00353 63 33700
The luxury 4 Star Charleville Park Hotel is located on the edge of the busy town of Charleville on the northern border of County Cork. Located on the N20 Cork to Limerick main road, the hotel is the perfect base for discerning race-goers. Cork Mallow and Limerick racecourses are both within a 20 minute drive. While race going guests who are seeking a totally relaxed break, can leave the car at home, as the hotel is only a five minute taxi ride from Charleville railway station, and there are direct rail connections to Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Mallow.
The Charleville Park Hotel is spacious, stylish and comfortable, and our staff are on hand to provide friendly service and advice at all times. On arrival, all guests can enjoy a complimentary welcome drink as their luggage is safely delivered to their room. The hotel’s 91 bedrooms and 5 executive suites provide style space and comfort, with sumptious furnishings and large bathroom facilities coming as standard. Every guest room offers; a 27 inch remote controlled LCD television, complimentary wi-fi internet access, and the other room amenities discerning guests expect from a superior hotel. The hotel’s luxuriously decorated suites provides spacious bedroom facilities with a separate dressing room, sitting room with separate dining area, and a large bathroom with a jaccuzzi bath.
In the hotel’s stylish and cosy Greenfinch Restaurant, guests can make their selection from two extensive menus, both offering the finest of modern Irish cuisine. Discerning diners can also compliment their meal with one of our hand picked fine wines. Guests preferring to dine in their room can choose from our 24 hour room service menu. Alternatively, Eds Bar offers a lunchtime carvery menu 7 days a week, and a traditional bar food menu between 3 p m and 9 p m each day.
Opening in the next few weeks, the Charleville Park Leisure Club will offer guests the use of a 25 metre swimming pool, Kiddies swimming pool, air conditioned fully equipped techno gymnasium, Ultra modern fitness studio, Spacious steam room and sauna, spa jet stations, and an eight seater jaccuzzi.
For further details on the Charleville Park Hotel, or to book directly, use the link below.
http://www.charlevilleparkhotel.com/
