Punchestown or Galway?

tiggers1972

tiggers1972

Senior Jockey
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Oct 18, 2013
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Cheltenham
The group that I go racing having been talking about planning a trip to either Punchestown or Galway.

Does anyone have any reccomendations for which is better, accommodation closish to the course etc?

Thanks for any suggestions.
 
Have done quite a few racing trips to the Emerald Isle usually taking in 5 or6 racecourses each time as well as stable visits (Willie Mullins, Jessica Harrington, Mouse Morris all very accommodating) and various stud farms as well as a day in Dublin on a non racing day and we always make sure Punchestown is part of the itinerary although I can't offer a comparison with Galway as it's one of the ones I haven't be to albeit the group have and enjoyed it.

We have stayed a lot at the Killeshin Hotel in Port Laoise as it's pretty central for a lot of the courses and found it very comfortable with friendly staff.
 
I'd endorse both previous comments.

Galway accommodation prices are up there at Cheltenham levels and the closest to Punchestown, in Naas, is both expensive and in short supply. Depending on how many are in your group, you may well find it cheaper to stay further out, as DG says. You could hire a minibus or get the train to Sallins (free shuttle to Naas and then special race shuttle bus from Naas).

A reasonable alternative to both Punchestown and Galway would be the Dublin Festival in early February. Possible to do with just one night's accommodation and 2 quality racing days.
 
Come to Lovely Listowel Harvest Festival.
Not too busy bar Friday (ladies Day) good competitive racing, a local crowd with an active night life ; visitors welcome.
Irish Racing Festival at Leopardstown has the potential to be the best Irish Festival of the lot.
 
granger said:
If you get a chance, spend a day or two and maybe do a tour taking in something like the cliffs of Moher or Aran Islands
Click to expand...

Don't go with a hangover after getting cleaned on a 0-70 Weld hcap good thing or you might not make it back
 
Well it looks like we have a plan sorted for my 50th next year - a couple of days at the Punchestown Festival :)

Now to sort travel plans .......
 
I cannot speak for Galway, but have done Punchestown various times and thoroughly enjoy it. I tend to stay in Dublin and get the coach service provided via marathon travel from the city centre, However this year I decided to rent a car and stayed in Blessington which was great as not too far from the course and able to unwind in the evenings as Blessington was not busy at all.
 
Geezus why would anyone want to go to Galway races? Half the horses you will never have heard of who will be off for the first time in 11 months if not their lives and the other half you'll wish you'd never heard off.

It has to be the worst meeting in the history of racing for punters and racelovers alike.

Now Puchestown you get the Douvan's and the Faugheens turning up most of which have been running on merit most of their lives if not all...........no brainier where to go if you are a racing fan..........Perth:0)
 
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