PUNCHESTOWN RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
The Gaelic name for Punchestown means Valley of the Ash Trees, and in Irish folk lore, the ash tree is associated with enchantment, but also health and strength. It may be fairly said, all three of these qualities are readily on display at every Punchestown race meeting. Throughout the national hunt season, leading horses compare their strength and fitness in competitive races, and these battles for supremacy certainly enchant the large crowds who flock to the Punchestown races.
Horse racing started at Punchestown in 1824, but the original races were completely different in format to modern national hunt racing. Initially, racing took place over a cross country course of stone walls, streams, gates and hedges, plus horses and jockeys had to negotiate steep single and double banks. It seems this original form of racing was very popular, for the first two day meeting in 1824 attracted large crowds, some of whom even travelled the thirty seven kilometres from Dublin, (a major journey in the early years of the nineteenth century).
By 1827, the success of the meeting meant it had been extended to a four day festival, and by 1850, Punchestown had become so popular, it attracted the sponsorship of the gentlemen of the Kildare Hunt, and from that year onwards, Punchestown became established as an official racing venue.
As horseracing became more commercial during the early eighteen sixties, the new management committee enclosed the racecourse, introduced hurdle and steeplechase courses, and reduced the size of the cross country banked course.
Over the years the tradition of the Punchestown Festival grew expenentially, and nowadays, many Irish people believe the Punchestown Festival, staged in late April and sometimes the early days of May, is superior in content to the proceeding national hunt festivals at Cheltenham, Aintree, and Fairyhouse - In fact, they go so far as to refer to their racecourse as Peerless Punchestown.
No doubt, the pros and cons of this assertion could be argued indefinitely. What can be said with confidence, the Punchestown Festival does stage some magnificent national hunt racing, and it attracts big crowds from both sides of the Irish sea, not to mention visitors from Mainland Europe and North America.
In 2011, Punchestown will stage a total of seventeen days racing. The highlight in December is the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase. While at the Punchestown Festival, the eleven Grade One races and the superb accompanying programme accounts for the distribution of over three million euros in total prize money. However, commercial interests aside, in keeping with tradition, the festival also includes two cross country races staged over the famous Punchestown banked course.
Track facts:
Although it does stage flat racing, Punchestown is predominantly a national hunt racecourse.
Punchestown has four right handed courses. The oldest is the banked course. This is a cross country course of three miles in length. It has severe undulations, including steep banks and descents. Fences on the course include, walls, hedges, and spruce obstacles.
The flat course is an undulating oval measuring two miles in circumference.
The hurdles course is an undulating oval measuring one mile six furlongs in circumference. There are eight flights of hurdles on each circuit of the course.
The undulating oval of the steeplechase course is slightly longer than its flat and hurdle counterparts, being two miles in circumference. It has eleven fences on each circuit, and they are laid out in the following pattern: Between the finishing line and the start of the back straight, there are three plain fences followed by the first open ditch, then in the back straight there are two plain fences followed by the second open ditch, after the back straight there are two more plain fences on the top section of the course, and then two more plain fences located prior to the winning post on the home straight.
The Punchestown fences are a good test of jumping ability, and potential winners must combine agility with pace and stamina.
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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.
Ticket holders have access to all the public areas of the racecourse. Viewing of the racing action is extremely good from either the Main, or Panoramic Grandstands.
The Panoramic Restaurant is on the upper level of the panoramic grandstand. By booking a table in advance, race goers can enjoy a high quality silver service four course meal. In addition, as its name suggests, the restaurant provides superb views across the racecourse, plus close up observation of the home straight and winning post.
Larger parties can book the Panoramic Suites, each of which offer silver service dining for parties of up to 16, have their own balconies overlooking the racing action, private bar facilities, and are served by a private Tote betting counter.
For larger corporate groups, Punchestown offers the Chairman's Suite. Located on the second floor of the main grandstand, this area caters for parties of up to 60, and offers silver service or buffet service, private bar, and private Tote facilities.
At the Punchestown Festival, large corporate parties can receive superb hospitality in the interlocking Corporate Marquee and Chalet area erected specifically for the five day meeting.
For smaller parties, tables can also be booked in the De Robeck Restaurant and Bar. In this modern facility, while casting an educated eye over the parading runners, patrons can dine from a high quality buffet style menu. To prevent interruptions to the dining experience, the restaurant offers a tote counter, and closed circuit television coverage of the racing.
For the Punchestown Festival, the Reserved Enclosure is adjacent to the final furlong of the home straight, and it provides easy access to several bars, including the new Champagne Bar.
Also adjacent to the parade ring is the Dobbins self service Foodhall, (Upgraded and improved in 2010). This facility offers hot and cold meals, sandwiches, plus tea and coffee, and has seating for up to 200.
The ground floor of the grandstand is the home of the lively and atmospheric La Touche, and Double Bank Bars.
For those seeking a slightly quieter 'watering hole', the Hunt Stand Bar is on the first floor of the grandstand, and in addition to a full range of drinks, it offers hot and cold snacks. It is accompanied on the same floor by the Tote Sport Lounge. The latter facility has comfortable seating and a wall of television screens, and allows race goers to keep in touch with all other sporting events taking place at the same time as the Punchestown races.
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Disabled facilities:
Located near the entrance gates, Punchestown has a designated car park for disabled drivers.
The whole enclosure is wheelchair friendly, and there are lifts to all levels of the grandstand facilities.
There are designated viewing areas which overlook the parade ring and racecourses.
Specialist toilet facilities are located throughout the enclosure.
Fixtures:
2011:
Sunday 30 January
Wednesday 09 February - transferred from Fairyhouse
Wednesday 16 February
Tuesday 03 May
Wednesday 04 May
Thursday 05 May
Friday 06 May
Saturday 07 May
Wednesday 18 May
Wednesday 25 May
Wednesday 12 October
Thursday 13 October
Wednesday 26 October
Saturday 19 November
Sunday 20 November
Sunday 11 December
Saturday 31 December
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TRANSPORT LINKS:
By Road:
The racecourse is situated five kilometres outside Naas, on the Naas to Ballymore Eustace road.
From Dublin, race goers should use the southbound N7. Nearing Naas, turn off at the R445 signpost, then turn left on to the R447, pick up the R411 signposted for Naas town centre. At the first set of traffic lights, turn left on to the R410 signposted for Punchestown. Continue on the R410 for about 3 kilometres. At the five Roads Junction, turn right, and the racecourse is situated about 2 kilometres down this road on the left hand side.
Travelling from Dublin airport, use the M50, leave at junction 9, and join the N7. Then follow as above.
By Rail:
Sallins railway station is approximately 10 kilometres from Punchestown. Race goers can take the connecting Arrow train service from Dublin Heuston station. Taxi connections from Sallins to the racecourse should be booked in advance.
By Bus:
During the five days of the Punchestown festival, a special bus service is operated from Dublin busarus to the racecourse. Buses return after the last race.
For ordinary race meetings, Bus Eireann operate a regular service from Dublin busarus to Naas. Taxis are then available to the racecourse. For full details on Bus Eireann services to Naas and Punchestown, please contact, Bus Eireann at Busarus: 01 836 6111.
By Air:
Dublin international airport is around 48 kilometres from Punchestown.
J J Kavanagh and Sons run a special coach service from Dublin airport to Punchestown during the five days of the festival meeting. Coaches depart at half hourly intervals between 9.30 and 11.00 a m. Return coaches depart at 7.15 p m.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Address: Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, County Kildare.
Racecourse telephone details:
Eire tel no: 045 89 77 04.
From UK, tel no: 00353 45 89 77 04.
Racecourse fax details:
Eire fax no: 045 89 73 19.
From UK, fax no: 00353 45 89 73 19.
E-Mail: info@punchestown.com
ACCOMMODATION:
Plaza Hotel Tallaght.
Eire tel no: 01 46 24200.
From UK tel no: 00353 1 46 24200.
The four star Plaza Hotel Tallaght provides the perfect base for race-goers who are attending fixtures at Naas and Punchestown. The hotel is just a pleasant drive from both racecourses, but is also ideally situated forDublin Airport, (via the M50). Hotel guests who also want to take in a trip to Dublin city centre during their stay can leave their car in the safety of the hotel’s car park while they hop on to the nearby rail service at Luas Tallaght station.
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The Plaza TTallaght has 122 extremely well appointed and spacious en suite guest rooms, all with remote controlled television with satellite channels, wi-fi internet access, and the standard room amenities discerning guests expect from a quality four star hotel. For that extra bit of luxury during your stay, the hotel also offers two premier suites and six standard suites.
If you enjoy good food and drink, then the Plaza Tallaght caters for every taste. In the hotel’s reception area, the N81 Café is the ideal place for a morning coffee, a refreshing cup of tea, or a delicious muffin or pastry. As its name suggests, the Vista Bar provides a superb panoramic view while guests enjoy a light meal or carvery lunch. Mediterranean with an Irish twist, sums up the wonderful cuisine on offer in the hotel’s Olive Tree Restaurant. And if you would like to sample the atmosphere of a traditional irish bar, Grumpy
Mc Claffertys serves a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, carvery and pub style meals, and provides new evening entertainment every week.
To obtain full details on the Plaza Hotel Tallaght, or to book directly, use the link below.
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