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With its surrounding mountains and lakes, Killarney is a beautiful and popular holiday destination. The towns racecourse has the added benefit of sitting adjacent to the banks of the River Flesk, and it is considered by many judges to be the most picturesque racecourse in the whole of Ireland.
The first recorded horse races in Killarney took place around 1822, and for nearly eighty years two different venues acted as the site of racing activity. But after 1901, the town was without a racecourse for thirty five years.
During the nineteen thirties Killarney began to develop as a holiday centre, and to capitalise on and accommodate for this increased visitor traffic, the current racecourse opened in 1936, and for many years thereafter, it enjoyed slow but steady growth.
However, prior to the Irish government austerity measures, the racecourse enjoyed investment for around 10 years, and this is reflected in the large crowds who now attend Killarneys three Summer Festivals of competitive racing.
In 2011 the course will stage a three day meeting in May, the four day Killarney Festival in July, and a summer season four day finale in August.
Killarney stages both flat and national hunt racing.
The racecourse is a left handed oval measuring just under one mile two furlongs in circumference, with a home straight measuring three furlongs in length.
Although the track is virtually flat with minimal undulations, the course bends are cambered to minimise draw bias.
The steeplechase course has six fences.
The hurdles course has five flights.
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, or Owners and Trainers.
There is general access to the grandstand facilities, parade ring, and unsaddling areas.
Race goers can sample a range of meals in the large self-service restaurant. There are also snack outlets, including a specialist sea food counter.
The course is well served by numerous bars. The main racecourse bar offers hot meals in addition to a full range of beers, wines, and spirits.
The Corporate Suite is the ideal venue for corporate parties, offering superb views over the racecourse and surrounding countryside, and offering a host of facilities in comfortand luxury. Full details are available from the racecourse or Horse Racing Ireland, or you can call any of the staff at Racingsight.
Pre arranged parking spaces for disabled race-goers can be obtained via the racecourse.
The course has an accessible viewing stand overlooking the racing action, and there is unobstructed access to the restaurant facilities.
Suitable WC facilities are also provided in the main enclosure.
Sunday 15 May
Monday 16 May
Tuesday 17 May
Monday 11 July
Tuesday 12 July
Wednesday 13 July
Thursday 14 July
Tuesday 23 August
Wednesday 24 August
Thursday 25 August
Friday 26 August
Killarney is located eighty six kilometres north of Cork, and thirty two kilometres south east of Tralee.
The racecourse is situated just off the Killarney to Kenmare road, and is a walkable one kilometre from Killarney town centre.
There are regular services to Killarney from Dublin Heuston railway station.
Bus Eireann operate services to Killarney from Cork, Dublin, and Limerick. For full details on Bus Eireann services telephone Killarney bus station. Telephone number: 064 300 11.
Kerry Farranfore airport is located sixteen kilometres from Killarney. The airport has regular services to Dublin, and daily connections to
London Stanstead, Luton, and Manchester.
Subject to prior arrangement with the racecourse management, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
Over the last 10 years the Holiday Inn Killarney has established a fabulous reputation as one of the leading locations for a break away. The hotel is ideally situated on the doorstep of the Killarney National Park, which is home to the Muckross House & Gardens and the famous Lakes of Killarney. There are many activities that are available for all ages such as pony trekking, touring the Ring of Kerry, play a round of Golf in the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, Shopping in the bustling town of Killarney and even catch a show or two in the INEC, to name a few!
The hotel boasts 100 En-Suite Bedrooms including Family Suites. All bedrooms are installed with high-speed internet access and interactive multi-media facilities. Library Point Restaurant is open daily; the menu is altered daily to give our guests a new and exciting experience of Irish Traditional food each day. In Saddlers Pub you will be greeted with a friendly smile and warm atmosphere. The pub offers bar food served daily and live entertainment on select nights throughout the year. The Leisure centre has a fully equipped Gymnasium, heated Swimming Pool, Jacuzzi, Sauna and Steam Room. We also cater for our younger guests with organised kids activities available during school holidays.
The Holiday Inn Killarney has different packages to suit all ages. These packages include Family Breaks, Golden Holidays and Seasonal Special Breaks with competitive offers. For more details please contact one of the reservations team or check out the website.