One of Ireland’s favourite social and sporting events, Punchestown Festival gets underway tomorrow Tuesday, 30 April and runs until Saturday, 4 May. Over 125,000 people are expected to attend the venue for top class racing, a vibrant social scene and to soak up the atmosphere which is unique to the national hunt track. As a 'local', living only 4 miles from the racecourse, I love the buzz already emanating across the locality.
And it's not all just about the racing - albeit that is the glittering stone in the setting, with 39 thrilling contests including 12 grade 1’s for a record breaking €3,222,500 prize fund.
Household names like Ruby Walsh, Nicky Henderson, Davy Russell, Willie Mullins and the trail blazing Rachel Blackmore will be in action as the best of Irish and British talent battle it out at the home of Irish jump racing. I'll be legging from the stands to the bars to the parade ring, in pursuit of friends and local racing interests, all high on annual racing fever!
From chips to fine cuisine!
With the vast selection in eateries and restaurants, corporate or walk in dining, to the outside food vendors, there's no excuse for not having good food at the venue. No doubt, by the end of the week, I will sit next to the wonderful memorial unveiled on Tuesday circa 2pm to the late Fr Sean Breen, and I'll have a quiet chat with him whilst dipping into a bag of chips! All guidance, Fr Sean, regarding lucrative tips would be appreciated..... The entertainment throughout the recently refurbished bars, restaurants, cafes and enclosures is positively electric!
Osprey Avenue Shopping Experience
New additions to the Punchestown experience for 2019 are the introduction of Osprey Avenue, a boutique shopping venue showcasing art, millinery, clothing and accessories and The Style Quarter for all things festival fashion. Located at the Bollinger Lounge in the reserved enclosure, the Style Quarter is the place to see and be seen for the prestigious Bollinger Best Dressed Lady award that runs from Tuesday through to the grand final on Ladies day, Friday 3 May. The message to all potential best dressed ladies is to arrive early as scouting will commence from 1pm.
Local Economy
The Punchestown Festival means big business with 17,000 corporate hospitality clients making it one of the most popular events of its kind in Ireland. Over 870 companies are involved as clients, sponsors, suppliers or corporate partners. Of this, 157 British based companies are engaged as corporate clients making up some of the 20,000 overseas visitors in attendance. Research shows that the five day Punchestown Festival generates an estimated €60 million towards the local economy with the sponsorship folio at Punchestown involving 43 companies of which 25 are Kildare based.
Family Fun
Festival Family Saturday includes a full entertainment programme in the designated Junior Jockey Fun Zone where 60,000 square feet is dedicated to bouncy castles, face painting, craft corner, disco zone, pony rides, fun fair and so much more. All children under 14 years of age race for free throughout Punchestown. There will be a full selection of casual dining options in The Feedroom, Hay Café, Fox Den Café and variety of food concessions throughout the week with 14 bar venues, a majority of which will host live music each evening after racing.
The message from Punchestown CEO Conor O’Neill is positive ahead of the 2019 renewal “We’re in really good shape as we prepare to open this year’s Punchestown Festival. Hospitality wise there isn’t a seat in the house Tuesday to Friday but we have waiting lists in operation whilst there is limited availability on Saturday. Our ticket pre-sales are where we would like to see them also. We’ve had super support from trainers and owners and thanks to our sponsors we have record breaking levels of prize money which is all integral in getting the best horses to Punchestown. However, it is the people that make the Festival. Whether you like to dress up and book a table or dress down and buy a ticket on the gate everyone is there for the same reason to enjoy the sport, craic, music and brilliant atmosphere and that’s what makes Punchestown so special”.
Gates open at 12 noon each day (11am Saturday) with the first race going to post at 3.40 (2.30 Saturday). A shuttle bus service is available from Dublin city and Naas town centres. Tickets start from €30pp with special group, senior, student and teen discounts available.
For full event and ticket purchase information please visit www.punchestown.com
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