About the course
Killarney Racecourse is on Ross Road, on the edge of Killarney town and just off the road to Kenmare. It sits against the backdrop of Killarney National Park and the MacGillycuddy Reeks, and the course bills itself as Ireland's most scenic racecourse. Killarney is one of Ireland's best-known tourist towns, and with most racing held in the evening, the course makes a good way to round off a day of sightseeing.
The track is an undulating, left-handed oval. It is sharp in character, and the turn just after the winning post is particularly tight. Both Flat racing and jump racing, over hurdles and fences, take place here, often at the same meeting.
Big meetings and races
Killarney does not race week in, week out. Instead its meetings are grouped into festivals, traditionally in May, July and August, and most racing is held in the evening. In 2026 the calendar also included an October Festival with a student race day.
The July Festival, a five-day meeting mixing Flat and jumps racing, is the centrepiece of the year and includes a dedicated Ladies Day. There are best dressed competitions at other meetings too.
Races that draw good horses to Killarney include:
- The Kingdom Gold Cup
- The Cairn Rouge Stakes (Flat)
- The Ruby Stakes (Flat)
Several valuable races over hurdles and fences complete the programme. Dates change a little each year, so check the fixtures on the racecourse website.
Getting there
On foot: The course is about a 10 minute walk from the town centre. Bicycles can be hired around Killarney, and many visitors arrive by jaunting car, a traditional horse-drawn carriage.
By road: From Dublin, take the M8 south. In Killarney, the course is on Ross Road, just off the Killarney to Kenmare road on the edge of town. Parking is provided inside the track and in car parks next to it, signposted on the approach roads.
By rail and bus: Killarney's bus and train station, which serves both, is about half a mile from the racecourse, with regular services from all the main Irish cities.
Shuttle bus and taxis: A shuttle bus usually runs for race meetings, starting 90 minutes before the first race and finishing 30 minutes after the last. There are taxi ranks around the town.
By air: Kerry Airport is about 15 minutes' drive from Killarney, with direct flights from London Luton and London Stansted. Cork and Shannon airports are both within 90 minutes.
Facilities and tips for visitors
Food and drink options include the Panoramic Restaurant, The Jockeys Whip and The Jim Culloty Bar, where there is live entertainment after racing. The course sells four hospitality packages, from a premium dining option to a barbecue and a value pack for general admission.
Disabled parking on site is limited and should be booked in advance by emailing the racecourse. The wider complex also includes Ross Golf Club and the Racecourse Café, which are open outside race days.
Nearby places to stay
Killarney town is the obvious base, with guesthouses, B&Bs and hotels all within walking or a short taxi ride of the course. There are also glamping pods on the racecourse complex. For a longer trip in Kerry, Listowel hosts the Listowel Harvest Festival in September.
Latest results: Monday, 5 October
13:00Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden1m · Flat · 2yo · Yielding To SoftWon by Coastal Wonder
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Coastal Wonder John S O'Donoghue | 8-11 | Rory Mulligan |
| 2nd | Epic Arch A. Slattery | 9-7 | Andrew Slattery |
| 3rd | Lake Lugano b Aidan O'Brien | 9-7 | W. M. Lordan |
| 4th | Estado De La Luna t Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 9-2 | J M Sheridan |
| 5th | Darivan J. P. Murtagh | 9-7 | Ben Coen |
| 6th | Wecouldavehaditall Daniel McLoughlin | 9-2 | Nathan Crosse |
| 7th | Heart Of You t K J Condon | 9-2 | W. J. Lee |
| 8th | Forthethrillofit Donnacha Aidan O'Brien | 9-7 | Gavin Ryan |
| 9th | Magma Law b Joseph G Murphy | 9-7 | G. F. Carroll |
| 10th | Power Through A Oliver | 9-7 | Chris Hayes |
| 11th | Magna Fortuna h P F McEnery | 8-11 | Reese Holohan |
| 12th | Silk Twist Thomas Mullins | 9-7 | Donagh O'Connor |
13:35Gleneagle Killarney Median Auction Maiden1m · Flat · 3yo+ · SoftWon by Xirivella
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Xirivella Noel Meade | 9-3 | Siobhan Rutledge |
| 2nd | Karrygrant t J. P. Murtagh | 9-8 | Ben Coen |
| 3rd | Emberelle John Joseph Murphy | 9-3 | G. F. Carroll |
| 4th | Will You Stop p A. Slattery | 9-8 | Andrew Slattery |
| 5th | Gliondar Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 9-8 | J M Sheridan |
| 6th | Saliba Mrs J. Harrington | 9-8 | Scott McCullagh |
| 7th | Caspian J C Hurley | 9-6 | Reese Holohan |
| 8th | Private Peaceful E McNamara | 9-8 | Robert Whearty |
| 9th | Sron Na Caise v K J Condon | 9-11 | W. J. Lee |
14:10Carry Out Off-Licence Handicap1m · Flat · 3yo · SoftWon by Suir Monad
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Suir Monad A. Slattery | 9-8 | Sam Coen |
| 2nd | Down The Glen Ross O'Sullivan | 9-13 | Donagh O'Connor |
| 3rd | Cladach p Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 9-13 | Declan McDonogh |
| 4th | Roaming Coyote Kevin Thomas Coleman | 9-6 | Ben Coen |
| 5th | Closely Aidan O'Brien | 9-12 | W. M. Lordan |
| 6th | Sherekiya D K Weld | 9-11 | Chris Hayes |
| 7th | Holy Lettuce K J Condon | 9-10 | W. J. Lee |
| 8th | Spinola Bear Kieran P Cotter | 8-9 | Julian Pietropaolo |
| 9th | Pattyandselma Adrian McGuinness | 9-4 | Adam Caffrey |
| 10th | Ocean Echo t Mark Fahey | 9-1 | Reese Holohan |
14:45Killarney Student Raceday Handicap1m · Flat · 3yo+ · SoftWon by Jasmine Affanalis
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Jasmine Affanalis David Marnane | 9-10 | Sam Coen |
| 2nd | Nibras Rainbow b Paul W Flynn | 9-4 | Nina Doherty |
| 3rd | Oppenheimer Kevin Thomas Coleman | 9-5 | Ben Coen |
| 4th | One Cool County P J F Murphy | 8-13 | Gavin Ryan |
| 5th | Draiocht h T J O'Mara | 8-10 | W. M. Lordan |
| 6th | Big Bill p Aidan Melia | 9-11 | Reese Holohan |
| 7th | Micasso tp Donal Kinsella | 9-2 | Seamie Heffernan |
| 8th | Rampage T G McCourt | 8-11 | James Ryan |
| 9th | Tickle The Cat (GER) Kevin Thomas Coleman | 9-4 | Rory Cleary |
| 10th | Sayonara p A. Slattery | 9-0 | Andrew Slattery |
| 11th | My Mate Tony h Ian O'Connor | 9-4 | Gearoid Brouder |
| 12th | Concaire h Richard John O'Brien | 9-8 | W. J. Lee |
| 13th | Ochtar Againn p M J Byrne | 8-9 | Jimmy Dalton |
| 14th | Racing Royalty b Gillian Scott | 9-7 | Donagh O'Connor |
| 15th | Lily's Magic t M K Flannery | 8-12 | Wesley Joyce |
15:20Irish Stallion Farms EBF Navigation Stakes (Listed)1m 3f · Flat · Class 1 · 3yo · SoftWon by Shaihaan
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Shaihaan Donnacha Aidan O'Brien | 9-5 | Chris Hayes |
| 2nd | Manton Bay David Marnane | 9-5 | W. J. Lee |
| 3rd | Caught U Sleeping Noel Meade | 9-3 | Adam Caffrey |
| 4th | Alphecca p Joseph G Murphy | 9-0 | G. F. Carroll |
| 5th | Latin America J. P. Murtagh | 9-5 | Ben Coen |
| 6th | Action Aidan O'Brien | 9-5 | W. M. Lordan |
| 7th | Back Straight t M D O'Callaghan | 9-5 | Seamie Heffernan |
| 8th | Garden Party Aidan O'Brien | 9-0 | Gavin Ryan |
15:55Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden1m 3f · Flat · 3yo+ · SoftWon by Cailin Miorruilach
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Cailin Miorruilach P. Twomey | 9-3 | W. J. Lee |
| 2nd | Together Now Aidan O'Brien | 9-3 | W. M. Lordan |
| 3rd | Sounds Great Mrs J. Harrington | 9-3 | Seamie Heffernan |
| 4th | Shanala J. P. Murtagh | 9-3 | Ben Coen |
| 5th | Sibaza D K Weld | 9-3 | Chris Hayes |
| 6th | Sunburn John Joseph Murphy | 8-12 | Reese Holohan |
| 7th | Emily Estherfaye h A. Slattery | 8-10 | Adam Browne-Souza |
16:30Killarney Grand Apprentice Handicap1m 3f · Flat · 3yo · SoftWon by Shay's Dream
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Shay's Dream Joseph Patrick O'Brien | 9-1 | Julian Pietropaolo |
| 2nd | Wie Wunderbar Mrs J. Harrington | 9-13 | Keithen Kennedy |
| 3rd | Chestnut Palace b Noel Meade | 9-4 | Nicola Burns |
| 4th | Tanzanite Diamond Adrian McGuinness | 9-9 | Sam Coen |
| 5th | Believe Believe M D O'Callaghan | 9-4 | Reese Holohan |
| 6th | Gentle Soda E McNamara | 9-5 | Conor Cusack |
| 7th | Ocean Fire R P Cody | 9-11 | Jack Kearney |
| 8th | Cascade Canyon Kevin Thomas Coleman | 8-9 | Terry Casey |
| 9th | Coilins Girl J. P. Murtagh | 9-3 | Rory Mulligan |
| 10th | Marjorie Daw Joseph G Murphy | 9-11 | Adam Browne-Souza |
| 11th | Shambata p J. P. Murtagh | 9-10 | Patrick McGettigan |
| 12th | Running Point Jarlath P Fahey | 9-12 | Jack Cleary |
17:05Spin Southwest Maiden1m 3f · Flat · 4yo+ · SoftWon by Ballybawn Belter
| Pos | Horse | Wgt | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Ballybawn Belter Liz Doyle | 9-4 | Seamie Heffernan |
| 2nd | Joe Cool p Noel Meade | 9-9 | Adam Caffrey |
| 3rd | Blue Nasturtium K J Condon | 9-4 | W. J. Lee |
| 4th | Navy Guitar Diego Dias | 9-9 | Diego Lima |
| 5th | Shemiyka v M D O'Callaghan | 9-4 | Jamie Powell |
| 6th | Tears I Nevercried M A Cahill | 8-13 | Alan Persse |
| 7th | Nogs M J Byrne | 9-4 | Killian Leonard |
Latest highlights
Highlights from Horse Racing Ireland on YouTube. Full race replays are on Racing TV.
Questions people ask
Can you walk to Killarney Racecourse from the town?
Yes. The course is on Ross Road, about a 10 minute walk from the town centre and about half a mile from the bus and train station.
When does Killarney hold race meetings?
Racing is grouped into festivals, traditionally in May, July and August, with most racing in the evening. The five-day July Festival is the biggest. Check the racecourse website for the current year's dates.
Is there parking at Killarney Racecourse?
Yes. Parking is available inside the track and in car parks next to it. Disabled parking on site is limited and should be booked in advance.
Sources
- Killarney Racecourse, official site
- Killarney Racecourse, Getting here
- Killarney Racecourse, Racing
- Horse Racing Ireland, Killarney Racecourse
- Association of Irish Racecourses, Killarney
- Wikipedia, Killarney Racecourse
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Dates and details change, so check with the racecourse before you travel.