The Official Ireland Golf Guide 2010

Where the
Other activities in Ireland
Aprés
golf
Here for the golf? There’s lots more to do in Ireland as well, and
Seán Carberry highlights some of the nation’s other abiding passions.
S
o you’ve finally decided to live To name but a few venues where racing is held in
the dream of that golfing season over the year, here’s the Big Three: Fairyhouse,
vacation in Ireland. Perhaps it’s taken ten miles (18km) north of Dublin, stages the Irish Grand
a while, and it may not be your ﬁ rst visit to the Emerald National among many races; Punchestown, in County
Isle. But while you’re dreaming of lush green fairways Kildare, is one of the premier jump racing and horse
and getting that swing right, we can offer other food for show centers; and the Curragh, also in Kildare, where the
the imagination. best ﬂ at horses in Europe compete at the the Guineas
For an island of such diminutive size – 300 miles Festival in May, the Derby at the end of June, the Oaks
(480km) from north to south, 150 miles (240km) across in July and the Irish St Leger and National Stakes in
the middle, about the same as the state of Maine – September. In fact the Curragh has a long history of
Ireland punches far above her weight when it comes to horseracing. The name itself means ‘place of the running
sport and its associated passions and diversions. horse’ and it’s said that the ancient Celts would hold
Above top: Horseracing at
The Curragh is a day out of
Let’s take the horse to start. We have 26 racecourses races at times of festivals. The British Army used the
spectacle and excitement.
here, more per head of population than any other place to station their cavalry and now the Irish Army
country in the world, and the equivalent of one third of has a garrison still in sight of the racecourse. But for a
Above left: A traditional
goat-skin drum, the
our entire population go through their gates every year. unique experience head over to the Layton racecourse
bodhrán, being put to
The horse is an important part of Irish life, and mirrors where the races are held on the beach at low tide. It’s an use at an irish festival.
the national temperament to a great degree. So you’re incredible sight to see, a group of horses galloping
Above right: The full cast
never far from a superb ﬂ at race or steeplechase, no along the strand at full pelt with a crowd of thousands
of Tutti In Maschera at the
matter where you pay your green fees. cheering them on. 2008 Wexford Festival.
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PG96-97 Horseracing etc.indd 96 12/17/09 3:30:38 PM
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