The present course is positioned near the town centre and was first opened in mid-1858 and thus celebrated its 150th Anniversary in mid-2008.
Listowel's major racing festival, the popularly attended harvest festival, that was originally referred to as the North Kerry Hunt Steeplechase Meeting occurs every year in September over a period of seven days featuring both National Hunt events and flat racing functions. The racecourse is one of the concluding festivals to happen every summer, the very last prior to Christmas and second to the Galway Races in terms of attendances. In total, nine sporting meetings occur yearly with a two-day race meeting each June.
The most important race held at Listowel is the Guinness Kerry National. The distinguished event is staged on the Wednesday of the conventionally marked Harvest Festival across a distance measuring 3 miles. Past winners include the universally recognised Aintree Grand National champion Monty's Pass. In addition, hospitality at Listowel Racecourse probably isn’t as costly as you might think. Guests usually get thoroughly entertained without having to break their bank accounts!
The racing site is within a small walking distance of the metropolis which is itself located some 25km away from Tralee and an estimated 80km from Limerick, the two can be accessed by frequent railway services provided in Dublin and also buses that usually ferry expectant sporting enthusiasts to the races. In a week, the Festival rivals that of the widely acclaimed Galway races.
Traditionally, a time when local farmers came out to bet their lucrative profits at the festival has advanced to become a fundamental cultural legacy in the prosperous town and a cordial welcome is proffered to all who may wish to savor the very last racing festival before Christmas. Besides the well-attended autumn horse riding fete staged in September, the prestigious racecourse also hosts a distinctly well-organised three-day Summer Festival every June, offering the much-required leisure opportunity for families holidaying in beautiful County Kerry.
The racecourse is a generally left-handed and oval-shaped with a total circumference of about one mile and two furlongs. Also, there are some hurdles and prominent National Hunt fencing. The hurdles are often moved after every event to allow for different racing variations. Standard upgrading and regular redevelopment of the main enclosure has produced the contemporary well-equipped amenities for racers and racegoers. The wide range of race day options comprises the Hannon Stand that contains a set aside seating part and the Reserved Stand that hosts Tote betting shops and two bars.
Latest additions consist of the outstanding New Stand Complex with a splendid restaurant and public bars and an upper level which may be reserved for dining and commercial hospitality for between 40 to 100 guests. In addition to the stand facilities, there are additional bars, foodstuff outlets, shops, on-course betting shops as well as highly effective CCTV events coverage featuring a huge screen purposely set up for the September Festival. After the races, songs and entertainment are laid on to carry on the celebrations.
Visit Listowel racecourse here
Contact details: Listowel Racecourse, Greenville Road, Listowel Co. Kerry, Co Kerry, Ireland
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