Horse racing in Ireland runs all year, from the Dublin Racing Festival in February to the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown in December. This hub is your starting point for Irish racecourses, the big festivals, how to assess a race, and the bets and calculators that go with it.
- Courses: guides to nine Irish and Northern Irish racecourses, with the big meetings, how to get there and how to bet.
- Calendar: a month-by-month list of the main Irish festivals and Classics.
- Betting: a racing tips guide, an each-way guide and calculators for every bet type. 18+. No tip is a sure thing.
Irish racecourses
Pick a course for its main meetings, its location and what to check before you bet there. Horse Racing Ireland is the source for the facts on each page.
When are the big Irish racing meetings?
Dates move each year, so check Horse Racing Ireland for the fixture list. This calendar shows the usual time of year for the main meetings.
How do you learn to bet on racing?
If you are new to racing, start with the guides below. They explain the terms on a racecard, how each-way works and how to compare prices.
Which calculators help with racing bets?
Racing punters often bet each way or in combination bets. These calculators show the cost and the returns before you place the bet.
Where can you bet on Irish horse racing?
Use a bookmaker that is licensed for Irish customers. Our betting sites comparison shows which are licensed and how we rate them, free bets explains the offers and their terms, and the licence check guide shows how to verify a licence yourself. 18+. Bet responsibly, gamblingcare.ie.
Related guides
- Horse racing tips: how to assess a race
- Horse racing betting guide
- Sport hub
- Betting calculators and tools
- Betting sites in Ireland
Frequently asked questions
What are the biggest horse races in Ireland?
The Irish Classics at the Curragh, the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, the Punchestown Festival, the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle, and the festivals at Leopardstown in February, September and December.
Which are the main racecourses in Ireland?
Leopardstown, the Curragh, Fairyhouse, Punchestown, Galway, Listowel, Navan and Dundalk in the Republic, and Down Royal in Northern Ireland, among others.
When is the Galway Races?
The Summer Festival runs for seven days, traditionally into the August bank holiday weekend.
Is there a sure way to win at horse racing?
No. Odds include a bookmaker margin and favourites lose often. Set a limit you can afford and treat betting as entertainment.
Sources and further reading
- Horse Racing Ireland – the governing authority for the racing industry in Ireland, with fixtures and course information
- Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board – regulates horse racing in Ireland
- GamblingCare.ie – free, confidential gambling support in Ireland
18+. Please play responsibly, gamblingcare.ie. This guide is independent editorial opinion; it is not a guarantee, endorsement or financial advice, and does not imply any affiliate or commercial relationship with any operator named.
Last updated 27 October 2026. Written and checked by the Punter Ireland editorial team. Offers, odds and rules change, so always check the operator’s own terms and the official sources above.
