The dates for the 2011 Festival will be confirmed when the Irish Programmes Committee release them at the Galway festival. At present it looks like the dates will be May 3rd - 7th although these dates are provisional.

The Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival is the highlight of the Irish sporting and social calendar. The special combination of thrilling sporting action, brilliant live entertainment, delicious food and drink, family fun, dazzling glamour or casual comfort is unequalled due to the unique Punchestown Festival atmosphere. There has never been a better time to attend the Festival than in 2010 where the Punchestown team will deliver an even bigger and better event but most importantly at the right price.

Racing - The Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival is considered the grande finale of the jump season with top class horses, trainers and jockeys from both sides of the Irish sea converging on the Kildare venue to settle scores and confirm reputations. The quality of racing is unrivalled with a total of 11 Grade 1 contests taking place. Punchestown is proud to be the home of Irish National Hunt Racing and host the famous La Touche Cup, a spectators favourite run over the cross country course. It's a "must see" for any racing fan.  
 
Race Start Time -

Tuesday, Wenesday, Thursday and Friday the first race goes to post at 3.40. Gates open from 11.30. The last race will be around 7.15pm

On Saturday, Punchestown Family Day, the first race is at 2.30 and the gates will open at 11am. Please arrive early for the complimentary kiddies activities.
 

Dobbins Food Hall
Dobbins are the official catering partner at the Punchestown Festival and we are delighted to launch the new look Dobbins Food Hall at the 2010 Festival. This fabulous facility will be serving an array of dishes with top quality ingredients and home made breads. Value is the kay aspect of of the Punchestown and Dobbins philosophy and we are sure you will be impressed with the quality and value on offer.

The La Touch Cafe bar is located on the ground floor of the main grand stand and is the ideal location for snacks and top quality coffees and pastries. Perfect if you would like to grab something and go to check out the runners in the parade ring!

In addition there will be food and coffee concessions scattered throughout the enclosures so you can avoid queues and get great quality tasty food and drinks at your convenience. 
 


Live Entertainment
The entertainment package at the Festival is second to none and ensures that the famous Punchestown atmosphere greets you from the moment you enter the racecourse. The main stage is the key focus of the entertainment programme with excellent live music, children's entertainment, fashion shows, best dressed finals and expert betting panels. As you make your way around the racecourse and through the many restaurants and bars you will come across live street theatre with jugglers, stilt walkers and mime artists. The après racing music throughout the pavilions, bars and public areas is always a crowd pleaser. You have been warned – bring your dancing shoes!


Best Dressed Ladies Competition

Glamour is an essential element of the Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival and while the racing superstars go head to head on the track, Ireland’s most stylish ladies will be going peep toe to kitten heel when competing for the most prestigious title in the racing and social calendars.

Punchestown is renowned for its lively bar scene where racegoers can enjoy a pint of the black stuff, a sip of bubbly or something in between at one of the many bars throughout the enclosures where the brilliant atmosphere is always on tap.
 

Thoroughbred Trail Weekend November 2010

Your chance to go behind the scenes at Dessie Hughes yard, stay in top class hotel and enjoy a day at the Home of irish jump racing

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