Punchestown

Mickey Linden · March 30, 2009, 10:47:36 AM

Myself and a few friends are thinking of heading down to the Punchestown racing festival. We were thinking of going tot he racing on both the Thursday and Friday and staying the Thursday night. I know Punchestown is a good bit outside Dublin city so could anyone reccomend anywhere nearby to stay or would be safer staying in the city? How long would it take to get to the racing from the city?

winsamsoon · March 30, 2009, 10:53:21 AM

whilst on the topic of racing what date in the Irish derby the year??? Sorry to highjack the thread mickey.

Louth Exile · March 30, 2009, 11:03:09 AM

Firstly, try and stay the Friday night, it does be wild!!

It is miles outside the city and I would strongly recommend local accomodation, I have stayed down there a few years myself.
What are ye looking for Hotel, B&B, a boggy piece of land to pitch a tent??

Homer · March 30, 2009, 11:22:45 AM

Quote from: winsamsoon on March 30, 2009, 10:53:21 AM
whilst on the topic of racing what date in the Irish derby the year??? Sorry to highjack the thread mickey.

28th June

Mickey Linden · March 30, 2009, 01:37:23 PM

Quote from: Louth Exile on March 30, 2009, 11:03:09 AM
Firstly, try and stay the Friday night, it does be wild!!

It is miles outside the city and I would strongly recommend local accomodation, I have stayed down there a few years myself.
What are ye looking for Hotel, B&B, a boggy piece of land to pitch a tent??

Either a hotel or a b&b would do Louth Exile. Somewhere where we could get a few pints and a bit of craic on the Thursday evening preferbly

Canalman · March 30, 2009, 01:59:55 PM

Stay in Naas and give the city a miss. Great craic there during the meeting and shuttle buses leave the town every 10mins or so during the day. Naas is only a 15 min drive to the course which I think is actually closer to Blessington.
Newbridge would also be ok as a fallback if Naas hotels are full.

Louth Exile · March 30, 2009, 02:03:48 PM

Quote from: Mickey Linden on March 30, 2009, 01:37:23 PM
Quote from: Louth Exile on March 30, 2009, 11:03:09 AM
Firstly, try and stay the Friday night, it does be wild!!

It is miles outside the city and I would strongly recommend local accomodation, I have stayed down there a few years myself.
What are ye looking for Hotel, B&B, a boggy piece of land to pitch a tent??

Either a hotel or a b&b would do Louth Exile. Somewhere where we could get a few pints and a bit of craic on the Thursday evening preferbly

The Osprey is a four star hotel in Naas, class spot and good night club attached. But probably booked up at this stage (if its not you will see how the R word is affecting things!!) I have stayed their a few times and wouldn't have a bad word to say about it. There is a list of B&B's on punchestown website (used to be anyway) used that before also, the three that we were in were all good spots so it is a good list to work off. The only thing to be wary of when using this list is to make sure that you aren't too far from Naas, some of the ones on the list are a fair trek away! As for the stout in the town, Haydens is always a good spot and far better than Graces IMHO, but you can't beat the stout in Kavanaghs!

Mickey Linden · March 30, 2009, 02:36:15 PM

Cheers lads!

Dinny Breen · March 30, 2009, 02:41:27 PM

QuoteNewbridge would also be ok as a fallback if Naas hotels are full.

Stay out of Newbridge, awful sh*thole at night, stay in Naas if you can, good craic and bar extensions all week, Kavanaghs will be packed but get to the Court early if your over 25 any younger then Time is the place for you...

Louth Exile · March 30, 2009, 03:07:51 PM

Quote from: Dinny Breen on March 30, 2009, 02:41:27 PM
QuoteNewbridge would also be ok as a fallback if Naas hotels are full.

Stay out of Newbridge, awful sh*thole at night, stay in Naas if you can, good craic and bar extensions all week, Kavanaghs will be packed but get to the Court early if your over 25 any younger then Time is the place for you...

Cheers Dinny, you have taken years off me with your opinion on Time

winsamsoon · March 30, 2009, 03:27:12 PM

Ok then lads same question for the Derby. Staying overnight where would be the best place to stay. Ie closer to the Curagh

Dinny Breen · March 30, 2009, 08:36:12 PM

QuoteOk then lads same question for the Derby. Staying overnight where would be the best place to stay. Ie closer to the Curagh

Probably The Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, they have a massive post-Derby party. Kildare Town is also good craic around the Derby, bar extensions, live music etc.. You have the Derby House Hotel or maybe Lord Edwards B&B wouldn't be bad spots, also you have the Standhouse Hotel beside the racecourse...

Louth Exile you'd probably get away with Time if your under 30 just...

Bensars · March 30, 2009, 08:45:40 PM

Naas. osprey spa hotel is very nice. Used by a a few of the jockeys. The Spa is very good too.

girt_giggler · April 01, 2009, 02:22:38 PM

A New Start for Punchestown Festival.

Punchestown racecourse today announced that the start times for the opening races for the first four days at the Irish National Hunt Festival have been moved an hour later to 3.45pm.

The move will see the seven race programmes run from 3.45pm through to 7.15pm on Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th April and 3.45pm to 7.45pm on Friday 1st May while the start time will remain at 2.45pm for Saturday 2nd May.

This decision continues Punchestown's policy of adapting to the current economic challenges and making racing more accessible to the general public. After extensive consultation with all stakeholders it is felt that this adjustment will accommodate those racegoers who wish to carry out at least a half day of work prior to racing in a time when employment priorities are forefront in people's minds.

The change means that the major races of the Punchestown Festival are now to be shown live on RTE during primetime which significantly increases the potential viewership. Having consulted major sponsors including Kerrygold, Guinness, Rabobank, Ladbrokes and Ballymore, Punchestown can reveal that all are in favour of the alteration as it will increase brand exposure and facilitate the needs of their corporate guests and clients. Racing industry bodies such as Horse Racing Ireland, the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association and members of the racing press are all in support of the initiative based on the positive effects it will contribute to the industry.

Dick O'Sullivan, General Manager Punchestown, stated "The business world has changed more in the last eight months than it has in the last ten years so it was a case of adapting to the new circumstances. One of the most significant advancements we have made in recent times was to win back the support of the local community and we feel that by facilitating the hard working public we are making it easier to justify an afternoon at Punchestown with a decent days work under their belt "

"There are so many parties involved in the Punchestown Festival and having thought long and hard about this, we feel that it will benefit and add to the event. The success of the festival benefits the local towns and villages from hotels and pubs to shops and boutiques so to optimise the success of the festival will optimise the trade locally".

"Decisions in recent years, including the addition of the very successful concluding fifth day, have been good for racing and the race going public so we are confident about this latest initiative".

The Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival takes place from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May 2009. General Admission is €30 with Students and OAP's paying €15. The Party @ Punchestown Pack offers excellent value to group bookings at just €29pp.

Louth Exile · April 28, 2009, 12:34:12 PM

Is the first race today over the banks course??