THE CURRAGH
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Introduction:
In the Gaelic language 'Curragh' literally means Racecourse, and this is fitting for the spiritial home of Irish horse racing.
Located near Newbridge and Kildare town, the plains of the Curragh are inseparable from the history of horse racing in Ireland.
As early as the third century, the Curragh was used as a meeting place for Irish kings and chieftains, and evidence suggests at these meetings there were horse and chariot races.
For the next thirteen centuries, records of horse racing at the Curragh are virtually non existent, but it seems inconceivable the Curragh would not have been used for some form of horse racing during this apparent hiatus.
In 1634 the archives clearly indicate the Curragh was being used to stage match races between horses owned by the landed gentry, and from that time until the present records exist to confirm horseracing has continued at the Curragh virtually uninterupted.
After the restoration of Charles the second, the breeding and training of Irish reared racehorses was positively encouraged by the British crown, and this new activity found a natural home in the area surrounding the open plains of The Curragh.
Cherneys Racing Calendar of 1727 then provides relliable evidence of the existance of regular race meetings for the Kings Plate taking place at the Curragh since the early seventeen hundreds. But other archives suggest the first official race meeting under agreed rules seems to have taken place during 1741.
By 1866, the Curragh staged the first running of the Irish Derby, and to further facilitate the racing potential of the site, the British parliament passed the first Curragh Kildare Act in 1868. This established the four thousand eight hundred and seventy acres of the Curragh as common pasture, which ensured the area could be used for horse racing and training. Under British and then Irish governments, this Act was amended seven times, the most recent being in 1969.
The Curragh is the Irish equivalent of Britains town of Newmarket. It has become the home of over a quarter of the horse training facilities in the republic, it also has several stud farms, including the National Stud, and it is also the home of many Irish and international racing companies and organisations.
The Curragh is also the venue for the five Irish classic races: The Irish Derby, the Irish Oaks, the 1000, and 2000 Guineas, and the Irish Field Saint Leger.
In 2010, the Currah will stage nineteen high quality race meetings, and in the future this number of race days might be expanded if the planned seventy million re-development of the Curragh goes ahead over the next few years. The approved plans envisage a brand new five storey grandstand and accompanying facilities which would make The Curragh one of the finest racecourses in the world - and many would suggest this is a fitting proposal for the home of Irish horseracing.
Track facts:
The Curragh is Irelands premier grade one racecourse, and specialises in the staging of top class flat racing.
From the grandstands, the long course is a letter U lying on its left hand side, so its curved base appears to be to the right of the viewing race goers. The course is run right handed, and stages races up to two miles in duration. The course seems to be constantly on the turn, but this is due to the gradual nature of the bends. Either way, the track is ideally suited for galloping types, and is considered to be very fair to all runners.
From the home turn to the winning post, the run in comprises a three furlong gradual climb. So, in addition to galloping ability, potential winners must also exhibit a measure of stamina.
A five furlong chute joins on to the three furlongs of the home straight, so as to produce a course which can stage straight races of up to one mile in duration.
For festival meetings, the running rails are moveable, and this allows for the exposure of fresh ground for each days racing.
Statistics suggest low drawn horses are favoured on the sprint courses, while high drawn horses seem to have a slight advantage on the long course.
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Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members or Owners and Trainers.
Grandstand and Paddock Ticket.
At present, the Curragh has two grandstands which are adjacent to the home straight. The Main Grandstand is nearest to the winning post, and on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day only, it forms part of the Reserved Enclosure.
The West End Grandstand is slightly further from the winning post, but still provides excellent views of the racing action. On Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day only, this forms part of the standard enclosure.
The Horseshoe Restaurant offers two sittings for lunch. The first at 12 noon, and the other at two thirty. Afternoon tea is also available. However, as this restaurant is one of the finest dining experiences in Irish racing, advance booking is essential.
The Bollinger Champagne Bar and Bistro is located adjacent to the parade ring. Apart from a selection of superb quality champagnes and wines, this facility also offers a menu of fine cuisine all served in a cordial atmosphere. There is also a separate Bollinger Champagne Bar in the main grandstand.
The Balcony Bar is located on the balcony level of the main grandstand, and offers snacks along with hot and cold drinks.
The Horseshoe and Curragh View Bars are both located on the first floor of the main grandstand, and both offer great views of the racing action.
On Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day, all the above food and drink facilities, plus the parade ring, become part of the Reserved Enclosure.
Hospitality Pavilion.
Small or large Corporate Parties can receive outstanding hospitality in the Hospitality Pavilion, while on Derby Day, the Derby Pavilion on the inside of the course provides outstanding cuisine, fine wines, and access to all areas of the Reserved Enclosure - For full details on these packages, contact the racecourse (details below).
The Vintage Crop and Horace Pinks Sports Bar are both located under the
West End Grandstand. They offer traditional Irish music, and are close to the betting ring. In the same grandstand, hot snacks are available from Dan Donnelly's Diner.
The Tote Betting Hall is home to several food and drink facilities, including, the fully stocked Railway Bar, Silks self service restaurant, and The Weeping Phaiger, the latter serving Thai food, coffee and ice cream.
On Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day, the food and drink facilities in the West End Grandstand and Tote Betting Hall are supplemented by the Sunday Party Zone Marquee, and these are the combined facilities which are available in the Standard Enclosure.
Sandwiches, and various snacks can also be purchased from a series of smaller outlets scattered around the enclosure. While a picnic area, and childrens playground are located at the far end of the west End Grandstand.
Disabled facilities:
The Curragh car parks provide designated parking areas for disabled badge holding race goers.
For wheelchair bound spectators the racecourse provides elevated viewing of the parade ring and the racing action.
The racecourse management have worked extremely hard to ensure all areas of the enclosure are accessible to wheelchairs.
Fixtures:
2012:
Sunday 25 March
Sunday 22 April
Saturday 05 May
Saturday 26 May
Sunday 27 May
TRANSPORT LINKS:
By Road:
Located three kilometres from Newbridge, and on the road to Kildare town, the Curragh is situated off junction 12 of the N7. Travelling time to Dublin is around an hour.
By Rail:
Trains from Dublin Heuston station, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, and Galway, all call at Kildare railway station. See below for details on a shuttle bus service to the racecourse.
At the booking office in Dublin Heuston railway station, it is possible to purchase a joint railway ticket and racecourse entrance ticket for selected Curragh race meetings.
On Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day, trains actually stop at the Curragh railway station.
By Bus:
On Curragh race days, Bus Eireann provide a direct bus service from Busarus in Dublin, which operates to and from the racecourse.
For full details on Bus Eireann services from Busarus, please telephone:
Tel no: 01 836 6111.
A shuttle bus service is available from Kildare railway station on all race days. The bus ferries race goers to and from the Curragh, with the last bus leaving the racecourse half an hour after the last race.
By Air:
Dublin international airport is around 42 kilometres from the Curragh.
Subject to prior permission from the racecourse management, helicopters may land at the racecourse helipad.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Address: Curragh Racecourse, Curragh, County Kildare.
Racecourse telephone details:
Eire tel no: 045 441 105/or 441 205.
From UK, tel no: 00353 45 441 105/or 441 205.
Racecourse fax details:
Eire fax no 045 441 442.
From UK, fax no: 00353 45 441 442.
E-Mail: info@thecurragh.ie
ACCOMMODATION:
K Club Hotel& Resort Straffan.
Eire tel no: 01 601 7200.
From UK, tel no: 00353 1 601 7200.
As the Curragh is Ireland’s premier racecourse, it is only natural for Curragh race-goers to choose accommodation at County Kildare’s premier hotel - the five star K Club Hotel Resort. Situated adjacent to the N7, the direct route from Dublin to the Curragh, the K Club is just 25 minutes drive from theCurragh. Alternatively, it is just a short helicopter ride from the K Club heli pad to the headquarters of Irish horse racing.
With its 2 championship golf courses, the five star K Club is the perfect option for sports minded visitors, and when it comes to accommodation, there is no Better hotel in the whole of Ireland. Each of the K Clubs guest suites are individually appointed to the highest standards, and there are no two rooms alike. Guests have a mind numbing choice of magnificently appointed and spacious Superior and Deluxe Rooms, Suites and Garden Suites, River Suites overlooking the River Liffey, and the total opulence of the Imperial and Vice Roy Suites. The amenities in each of the hotel’s rooms has to be seen to be believed, while professional friendly personal service is assured at all times.
For those steeped in the history of horse racing, the Byerley Turk Restaurant is a must during your stay. Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, the restaurant combines magnificent décor with the perfect ambience in which to savour the very best of modern irish cuisine. All of the restaurant’s meals are created using the finest of Ireland’s produce and seasonal ingredients. As its name suggests, the River Room is a modern brasserie style restaurant overlooking the River Liffey. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus seven days a week. For guests who enjoy a mix of sport and great cuisine, Legends Restaurant in the Palmer Clubhouse serves lunch and dinner, and provides a relaxing atmosphere in a restaurant overlooking the 18th green and the lake. For a different taste, guests can choose the Oriental Restaurant situated on the first floor of the Smurfit Clubhouse. While guests who guard their privacy can enjoy private dining or a superb 24 hour room service menu.
The K Club also offers the ultimate pamper and relaxation of the K Club Spa.
To obtain a full picture of all the facilities on offer at the K Club Hotel Resort, or to book directly, use the link below.
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