Limerick Race Track in Ireland

Limerick Race Track in Ireland

With a long established horse racing industry it isn’t often that you find a completely new course making it’s way onto the scene. Yet Limerick is just that – and it is the first entirely new, built-from-scratch racecourse to be built in Ireland in the last 50 years. The building of a new course was necessary once the old course in Greenpark closed down in 1999 after a 130-year racing legacy. Limerick’s new course is built on a 250-acre corner of a massive stud farm and was opened in October 2001.

Limerick is a right-handed circuit that measures 1 mile 3 furlongs in length. The track is undulating and sweeps wide into the straight. The straight measures 2 ½ furlongs in length and the circuit has 8 fences and 2 ditches which adds up to ten obstacles in total. The track also measures 70 metres across at its widest point. These track facilities enable the track to play host to Grade 1 National Hunt and Flat racing for the duration of the year. Limerick is the seventh location for races in Limerick since 1790 and it will hopefully prove to enjoy a long and lasting history.

What makes Limerick extra special is the schooling facilities available on the grounds. These include a 1-mile oval Euro track, an all weather inside track and schooling paddocks complete with starting stalls and fences. A number of young horses have started their careers at this new facility and many trainers find it to be an excellent part of their horses training.

The racetrack also has a lovely new four level stand which can seat up to 6000 people. The stand has shops, live television coverage, bars, fast food outlets, self-service restaurants and hospitality boxes. On non-racedays the venue is often used for conferences, exhibitions, public events and concerts. Local hotels and restaurants provide accommodation and great dining and ensure that all your needs are well catered for. What’s more, there are plenty of places of interest in the nearby surrounding area so you can add a little sightseeing to your day at the races for a well-rounded and entertaining day of activitiy.