Irish racing festivals
The big meetings of the Irish racing year, in calendar order, with the races worth seeing and the practical details for a day or a week away.
Dublin Racing Festival
Two days of top-class jump racing at Leopardstown in south Dublin, usually on the first weekend of February, with eight Grade 1 races and over €2 million in prize money.
Fairyhouse Easter Festival
A three-day National Hunt festival at Fairyhouse in Co. Meath over the Easter weekend, building to the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday.
Punchestown Festival
The five-day finale of the Irish jumps season at Punchestown, near Naas in Co. Kildare, usually held from a Tuesday to a Saturday in late April or early May.
Irish Derby Festival
The Curragh's three-day summer festival in Co. Kildare, usually on the last weekend of June, with the Group 1 Irish Derby as its Sunday centrepiece.
Killarney Races
Three summer festivals at Killarney Racecourse in Co. Kerry, mostly evening racing with the mountains behind the track. The five-day July festival is the centrepiece.
Galway Races
Seven days of jumps and Flat racing at Ballybrit on the edge of Galway city, starting on the last Monday of July. Home of the Galway Plate and the Galway Hurdle.
Irish Champions Festival
Ireland's biggest weekend of Flat racing, split across two courses: Leopardstown on the Saturday for the Irish Champion Stakes, the Curragh on the Sunday for the Irish St Leger.
Listowel Harvest Festival
A week of jumps and Flat racing on the Island in Listowel, Co. Kerry, every September. The Guinness Kerry National on the Wednesday is the big one.
Leopardstown Christmas
Four days of top-class jumps racing at Leopardstown from 26 to 29 December, with seven Grade 1 races and a big post-Christmas crowd from Dublin and beyond.