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From the translation of its Gaelic place name, Thurles means Stronghold, and it would be true to describe the town as a bastion of horse racing, particularly national hunt racing.
Thurles can trace its horse racing pedigree back to a three day race meeting which was held in June 1732. The popularity of this form of sport was quickly established, and in October 1760, records show a six day meeting took place on a site near the town. Since those early times, Thurles has been the home of Irish horse racing at its natural best.
The current racecourse stages all its eleven days of racing during the winter national hunt season. In 2011, all of the eleven Thurles race meetings will take place on Thursdays.
For the enthusiastic crowds who attend Thurles, the highlight of the season is the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase, which is run in late January or early February of each year. Several winners of this prestigious race have gone on to win at one of the four spring national hunt festival meetings.
Thurles stages national hunt and flat racing.
The course is run right handed over an undulating oval measuring one mile two furlongs in circumference.
From the end of the home turn to the winning post, the home straight is three furlongs in length, and this incorporates a gradual climb over the last one and a quarter furlongs.
The hurdles course has six flights. The first three hurdles occur in the back straight, then there is a single hurdle on the side of the course, with the final two hurdles being located on the home straight. After the final hurdle, runners have to negotiate the climbing run in to the winning post.
The steeplechase course has seven fences laid out in the following circuit pattern: three plain fences in the back straight, then along the side of the course, the only open ditch followed by a plain fence, the circuit is completed by two plain fences situated in the home straight. Like the hurdles course, after the last fence there is a climbing run in to the winning post.
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, or owners and trainers.
With a combined capacity of five thousand, both grandstands provide great views of the racing action. All ticket holders have access to the grandstands, plus the parade ring, and all the other public areas of the racecourse.
The racecourse has a self service restaurant, a tea room, and several bars.
Corporate parties of up to 100 can obtain hospitality in the Grandstand Suite.
Disabled drivers can drive into designated parking spaces within the enclosure.
A viewing platform for wheelchairs is provided in the grandstand area.
Thursday 21 October.
Thursday 04 November.
Thursday 18 November.
Thursday 25 November.
Sunday 19 December.
Thursday 06 January
Thursday 13 January
Thursday 27 January
Thursday 10 February
Thursday 24 February
Thursday 24 March
Thursday 20 October
Thursday 03 November
Thursday 17 November
Thursday 24 November
Thursday 22 December
Thurles is 16 kilometres north of Cashel, 48 kilometres west of Kilkenny, and 84 kilometres east of Limerick.
Situated one and a half kilometres outside Thurles, the racecourse is approximately 8 kilometres west of the N7 N8, Cork Dublin road.
There are train connections to Thurles from Cork and Dublin Heuston railway stations.
A bus service operates from Thurles railway station to the racecourse.
Shannon international airport is around 80 kilometres from the racecourse. The airport has flights to Dublin, the four London airports, and the British regional airports at Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow Prestwick, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester, and Nottingham East Midlands.
Subject to obtaining prior permission from the racecourse management, helicopters may land on the course.
Providing a unique blend of heritage, leisure, sport and health, Dundrum House Hotel Golf and Leisure Resort was originally an eighteenth century manor house located in Tipperary’s ‘Golden Vale’. Now occupying a prime location in 200 acres of rolling Irish countryside, the privately owned hotel and facilities are renowned for their traditional Irish hospitality and friendly service. Discerning race-goers attending the nearby Thurles Races have the option to enjoy calm relaxation, or to take advantage of the hotel’s magnificent on-site sports and leisure facilities.
The 68 en suite guest rooms, including 16 in the original building, tastefully combine modern luxurious amenities with the ambience of a bygone era. The Dundrum estate also offers self catering apartments and four star guest houses. Full details on accommodation options are available on our main website.
Whether you are seeking casual dining, or a renowned a la carte dining experience , Dundrum House has the facilities to satisfy every palate. The elegant surroundings of the Rossmore Restaurant are the venue for dining at its best. A fine selection of exquisite dishes, all artistically and enthusiastically created from the very best of local produce, provide a mouthwatering culinary selection suitable for every palate. The restaurant also offers a fine selection of hand picked French and well known world wines. The Club House Bar and Restaurant is open to residents and non residents. With its views of the golf course, and rustic style bar, the facility is relaxed and friendly, and between midday and nine in the evening, the restaurant serves good wholesome food at reasonable prices. Race-goers attending the ten Thursday meetings at Thurles will be glad to note, each Thursday evening, the Club House stages a lively music night. Alternatively, guests seeking the calm and relaxation of their room, have access to a room service menu providing; breakfast, afternoon snacks, and dinner.
Combining woodland and parkland, the hotel’s eighteen hole championship golf course is open to residents wishing to book an advance tee off time. In addition, the hotel’s white flag Health and Wellness Centre offers total relaxation and one to one care. The centre includes; a 21 metre swimming pool, kiddies heated pool, Swedish style sauna, Turkish steam bath, air and hydra therapy Jacuzzi, and fully equipped techno gymnasium. Wellness Suites offering holistic therapies are also available in the Health Centre and main hotel building.
For full up to the minute details on the Dundrum House Hotel, or to book directly, use the link below.