Roscommon Racecourse

About the course

Roscommon Racecourse is a few minutes from Roscommon town centre on the Castlebar Road, in the middle of the country. It is a summer track, with Flat and jumps racing between May and September, and many of its meetings are held in the evening.

The course is right-handed, about one mile and two furlongs round, with a marked incline up to the winning post. The first recorded meeting took place here in 1837, organised by the British military, and official racing began in 1885. Racing stopped for twelve years between 1936 and 1948 and has run ever since.

Big meetings and races

Roscommon stages around nine meetings a year, usually on a Monday or Tuesday. The main jumps races are the Grade 3 Kilbegnet Novice Chase, which the course describes as its biggest race, and the Connaught National Handicap Chase, both usually run in September. On the Flat, the Listed Lenebane Stakes in July is the standout race.

The mid-summer Ladies Day, held in July, is one of the busiest evenings of the year, combining jumps racing with a style competition. Some well-known horses have run here early in their careers, including the 1996 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Call, who finished third in the Kilbegnet.

Getting there

• By road: use the Eircode F42 V052. The course is about 30km from Athlone on the N61, 77km from Galway on the N63, 84km from Sligo via the N4 and N61, and about 145km from the M50 in Dublin via the M4 and M6.
• By rail: Roscommon station is on the Dublin Heuston to Westport line. The racecourse is a short taxi ride from the station.
• By air: Ireland West Airport Knock is less than an hour away by road.

The racecourse also notes that there are electric vehicle charging points in Roscommon town.

Facilities and tips for visitors

Parking and Wi-Fi are both free. The Main Stand Bar has live music, with dancing that typically starts after the second last race. The Upstairs Bar looks out over the course and the surrounding countryside, and there is a buffet restaurant, a coffee kiosk and a burger stall.

There are two large spectator stands, a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform and a wheelchair-accessible lounge overlooking the parade ring. Children under 16 get in free with an adult, and there are baby changing facilities. The Tote has its own building, and there is room for dozens of on-course bookmakers.

New to racing? Read our guide to your first day at the races before you go.

Nearby places to stay

Roscommon town is the obvious base, with hotels in the town centre a few minutes' drive from the course. Athlone, about 30km away, is another option. Visitors travelling from further west can also stay in Galway, about 77km away.

From Roscommon you can also reach Galway, Ballinrobe and Kilbeggan racecourses.

Latest highlights

Highlights from Horse Racing Ireland on YouTube. Full race replays are on Racing TV.

More Roscommon highlights