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 comparitively new course is bordered on one side by the River Blackwater, and this makes a trip to Cork Mallow ideal for those who like to mix their sports, as the waters are famous for there salmon fishing.
When it comes to horse racing, County Cork can count itself as one of the hot-beds of racing innovation, for in 1752, a wager between two sporting gentlemen named 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 could be considered as the better jumper and stayer, and to answer this question, 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 this first authentic 'steeplechase', and in true sporting fashion 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 historic racing milestone 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 18 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.
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.
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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 racecourse at Mallow underwent extensive rebuilding in the late 1990's, and this included a Grandstand built opposite the winning post. This facility also offers excellent views over the whole course.
A second facility - The Pavilion Grandstand - was added to the course amenities in 2008.
The Grandstand Restaurant is located on the third floor of the original but recently refurbished grandstand, and apart from offering fine Carvery dining for parties of race goers numbering from an intimate 2 up to a corporate 300, with its balcony it also offers superb views of the racecourse, with particularly good observation of the racing action in the home straight. This grandstand also offers six boxes which can each host between 15 and 25 people in corporate luxury, and all six have balconies overlooking the home straight racing action.
There is also a self service restaurant, three fully stocked bars, and a snack bar.
The Pavilion Grandstand offers corporate hospitality for up to 200 people in its first floor restaurant. While on the ground floor, general race-goers have access to a state of the art Paddy Power betting shop, a fast food outlet offering hot and cold snacks and two well stocked bars.
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Disabled facilities:
The racecourse is designed to be 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 also available, and Guide Dogs are welcome.
Fixtures:
2012:
Thursday 22 March
Saturday 07 April
Sunday 08 April
Monday 09 April
Monday 23 April
Friday 11 May
Friday 25 May
sunday 17 June
Friday 13 July
Sunday 05 August
Monday 06 August
Sunday 26 August
Saturday 20 October
Sunday 21 October - Cork National Meeting
Sunday 04 November
Sunday 18 November
Sunday 09 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, and on race days a courtesy bus operates between the station and the racecourse - full details are available on the bus service from the racecourse office.
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.
Racecourse telephone details:
Eire tel no: 022 50 207.
From UK, tel no: 00353 22 50 207.
Racecourse fax details:
Eire fax no: 022 50 213.
From UK, fax no: 00353 22 50 213.
E-Mail: info@corkracecourse.ie
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/
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