There are 26 racecourses in Ireland and for the purposes of racing, include the 2 courses in Northern Ireland as they are all controlled by the industry governing body of Horse Racing Ireland. See: www.hri.ie
Ireland has a well-developed betting shop network for off-course betting, as well as pool betting through on-course Tote facilities (for French readers – the equivalent of the PMU) and traditional bookmakers will be found on-course at all venues.
The courses range from the charming National Hunt only venues, such as Kilbeggan to the colossuses of Galway and Punchestown, which host the major festivals.
Attending these major festivals is not so prohibitive, as it is to attend some of the key meetings in the UK. For example – the reserved enclosure at Punchestown in 2020 (had it gone ahead) – was €40.00. An average gate entrance fee for a normal non-festival meeting would be €15.00-20.00.
The food on offer tends to be of good quality, although of course there are exceptions.
If coming to Ireland for one of the major festivals, do try and coordinate it with a visit to some other horse related attractions such as the National Stud, which is situated just outside of Kildare town, Co. Kildare (convenient for visits to Punchestown, Naas & the Curragh): https://irishnationalstud.ie/ or the Fethard Horse Experience, just outside of Coolmore, in Co. Tipperary: http://fhcexperience.ie/ Convenient for trips to Gowran Park, Clonmel, Tipperary, Thurles, Tramore, Wexford and even Cork.
Within the individual articles on the various courses on the drop-down menu, you will find suggestions for accommodation and dining out etc.
