Sligo Racecourse

About the course

Sligo Racecourse is at Cleveragh, about a kilometre from Sligo town centre, and is often described as one of the most scenic racing venues in Ireland, with Benbulben in the background. It stages both Flat and jumps racing, mostly between May and October, and many of its meetings are held on summer evenings. The track is right-handed on a circuit of about one mile.

Racing in the county goes back a long way. The earliest recorded meeting under Turf Club rules was at Bowmore, Rosses Point, in September 1781, and later meetings were held at Hazelwood beside Lough Gill until 1942. The present course at Cleveragh opened on 24 August 1955, when more than 7,000 people came to the first meeting. Cleveragh, known as the place of the basket makers, is said to have inspired W.B. Yeats to write "Down by the Sally Gardens".

The racecourse is run by a committee of voluntary directors, and a new grandstand, jockeys' changing rooms, bar and Tote betting building were completed in 2013.

Big meetings and races

Sligo stages around eight or nine race days a year. The busiest are the two days of racing in early August, which come soon after the Galway Races. The second day is Ladies Day, when many racegoers dress up for the best dressed competition, though formal dress is not a condition of entry.

Other popular fixtures include Students Day, a seven-race card that has become a fixture in the social calendar of local students, and a Family Day in the summer. The course also runs theme days with local sports clubs. Many of the bigger races are on the Flat and over hurdles.

Getting there

• By road: take Exit S2 off the N4 and follow signs for Sligo. Continue along Pearse Road, take the third right, and the racecourse is about 600 metres along. Sligo is about 212km from Dublin, 142km from Galway and 134km from Derry.
• By rail: trains run to Sligo from Dublin Connolly, and the racecourse is close to the town centre.
• By bus: the local bus service stops next to the racecourse. Check times with Bus Éireann.
• By air: the nearest airport is Ireland West Airport Knock, with a daily bus to Sligo.

Facilities and tips for visitors

Parking is free, in the centre of the track. The gates open two hours before the first race, and you can buy tickets at the turnstiles or online in advance.

There is no dress code, so wear whatever is comfortable, but the weather can change quickly and a light jacket is a good idea for the evening meetings. Food is served in a self-service restaurant with a full dinner menu and deli options, and there is a chip van and an ice cream van outside. Races are shown on screens in the bars, restaurant and hospitality areas.

For accessibility, the Tote Pavilion and the main bar and restaurant are wheelchair friendly, the grandstand has a lift at the town end, and there is a viewing area opposite the winning post. Baby changing facilities are in all toilets, and first aid is provided by the Order of Malta.

Nearby places to stay

Sligo town has the widest choice of accommodation and is within walking distance of the course. The seaside villages of Strandhill and Rosses Point are both close by, and visitors also stay further afield in Mullaghmore, Enniscrone and Tubbercurry.

Other racecourses in the west include Ballinrobe, Roscommon and Galway.

Latest highlights

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

More Sligo highlights