Betting it all at the Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin
Even though it’s already nearing the latter half of the 2020s, horse races are still quite popular in Dublin. While there are several different race tracks available, I can honestly say that Leopardstown Racecourse surpasses them all by a considerable margin.
I wasn’t a big fan of races before I arrived in Dublin. It wasn’t something that drew me in until a friend decided that I should come with them. I was enamoured by the loud crowds and their enjoyment of the sport, and I just fell in love with it.
Come with me as I share everything you need to know about one of Dublin’s most popular horse-racing courses. I’ll give you all the ins and outs, and I’ll even throw in a few tips that might make your experience that much more exciting.
What is the Leopardstown Racecourse Known for?
The Leopardstown Racecourse is a horse-racing course in Leopardstown, which is 8 km south of Dublin City. It’s one of Dublin’s most popular racecourses and is home to several prominent celebrities in the Irish horse racing sphere.
Best Time to Go to the Leopardstown Racecourse
Races at the Leopardstown Racecourse don’t happen daily, so the best time to head there is when there’s an upcoming event. If you want to score a great seat, we’d highly suggest that you head there as soon as the gates open, which will depend on the race.
Things to Know about the Leopardstown Racecourse
Address: The Leopardstown Racecourse is located at Carmanhall and Leopardstown, Foxrock, Co. Dublin 18, Ireland. It is close to other popular sites such as Seapoint Beach, People’s Park, Ballawley Park, and the Fairy Castle Trail.
Operating Hours: The Leopardstown Racecourse is open from Monday to Friday, starting at 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. But each race has different hours when they’ll allow people to enter, so please look at your tickets.
Parking: Free car parking is available at Leopardstown Racecourse. However, this is limited. They do provide free shuttles from all of the car parks at Leopardstown during race days, so don’t worry if you can’t avail of their free parking.
Contact Information: You can contact the Leopardstown Racecourse through their mobile number at +353 01 289 0500 or through their email address at [email protected].
Pets: Pets are generally not allowed at the Leopardstown Racecourse. However, they do allow service animals to accompany their owners. We do advise that you bring proper documentation for them, just to be safe.
Accessibility at the Leopardstown Racecourse
Wheelchair Accessible: The entirety of Leopardstown Racecourse can be accessed by wheelchair users. There are ramps available to access many of the viewing stands. They advise emailing them when you’re going so they can fully accommodate you.
Accessible Toilets: There are accessible toilets located throughout Leopardstown Racecourse. There are facilities at the Main Grandstand Building, Racing Hall, Old Racecourse Office, New Weigh Room Building, and the Pavilion.
Carer Tickets: They offer free carer tickets for patrons who have disabilities. You can request these tickets by either contacting them through their email or their mobile number.
Disabled Parking: There is disabled parking near the main entrance of Leopardstown Racecourse. This also serves as the main drop-off point for the racecourse.
Lifts: The racecourse features lifts that enable wheelchair users and patrons with disabilities to access most areas. These lifts are spacious, and staff are nearby to assist those who may need help accessing them.
How To Get To The Leopardstown Racecourse
Car: The easiest way to get to Leopardstown Racecourse is through the J15 exit off the M50 highway. You can also head to the R113 to the N31, but your travel time will be a bit longer, and you may encounter some difficulties navigating to the racecourse’s parking.
Dublin Bus: There are quite a few different Dublin Bus routes that travel near the Leopardstown Racecourse. Here are the ones that do and the specific bus stops associated with them.
| Dublin Bus Route | Bus Stop | Operating Hours |
| Route 47 | Burton Hall Road Stop | Monday to Friday:7:40 AM – 11:30 PM Saturday:7:30 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:9:30 AM – 11:30 PM |
| Route 118 | Brewery Road Stop | Monday to Friday:7:45 AM |
Shuttle Bus: Additionally, there are shuttle buses that depart for the Leopardstown Racecourse. Here are the specific ones that do and the bus stops associated with them.
| Shuttle Bus Route | Bus Stop | Operating Hours |
| Route 114 | Racecourse Stop | Monday to Friday:6:10 AM – 8:30 PM Saturday:6:30 AM – 8:25 PM Sunday:10:30 AM – 7:25 PM |
| Route S8 | Racecourse Stop | Monday to Saturday:5:00 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday:7:00 AM – 11:30 PM |
Luas Tram System: You can head to the Sandyford Luas stop, located on the Green Line, when travelling to Leopardstown Racecourse. There are free shuttles from this stop that will take you directly to the racecourse.
DART Train System: The closest DART station is Blackrock Station. We wouldn’t recommend heading here unless there is a festival at the racecourse, as free shuttles are only available during festivals.
Taxi: You can easily take a taxi to Leopardstown Racecourse. We recommend taking public transport, as riding a taxi here, especially from Dublin City Centre, can be quite expensive.
How Much is a Ticket to the Leopardstown Racecourse
Tickets for each race at the Leopardstown Racecourse will vary depending on which race you’re attending. Here are the ticket prices for the upcoming events at Leopardstown Racecourse.
| Horse Race Ticket Prices At The Leopardstown Racecourse | |||
| Ticket Type | Irish Champions Festival – Day 1 | October 18th Race | October 19th Race |
| Adult – Online (18+) | €35 | €15 | €15 |
| Senior (65+) | €20 | €15 | €15 |
| Student (15+) | €20 | €15 | €15 |
| Child (14 below) | Free | Free | Free |
| Private Tour | €95 | €40 | €40 |
| Christmas Festival Ticket Prices At The Leopardstown Racecourse | ||||
| Ticket Type | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
| Adult (Panoramic Suite) | €245 | – | – | – |
| Child (Panoramic Suite) | €122.50 | – | – | – |
| Adult (The Big Christmas Brunch) | €125 | €125 | – | – |
| Child (The Big Christmas Brunch) | €62.50 | €62.50 | – | – |
| Adult (Winter Warmer) | – | €170 | €170 | – |
| Child (Winter Warmer) | – | €85 | €85 | – |
| Adult (Finale Feast) | – | – | – | €125 |
| Child (Finale Feast) | – | – | – | €62.50 |
Types of Experiences at the Leopardstown Racecourse
There are only a few experiences at the Leopardstown Racecourse available each year. Most of these are horse races, but there are also instances when festivals are held here.
Irish Champions Festival
The Irish Champions Festival is a beloved festival in Dublin that celebrates horse racing. It’s a two-day-long celebration that showcases many of Ireland’s most popular horse jockeys and horses.
The first day of the festival is held at Leopardstown Racecourse and features races throughout the day. There are also other experiences, such as VR racing, live music, and panels about horse racing.
There will also be food and drink available at the Leopardstown Racecourse’s restaurants and other restaurants that are part of the event. It’s a wonderful occasion filled with fun, laughter, and horse racing.
October 18th and 19th Race
The October 18th and 19th races are one of the more typical races that you’ll see at the Leopardstown Racecourse. These races feature jockeys based in Leopardstown and from elsewhere.
These races are enjoyed by most people visiting Leopardstown Racecourse. While these aren’t major events, they are still popular enough that many from Dublin County flock here to watch.
While we can’t tell you who’s going to be racing for both of these events due to the information still being unavailable, you can easily check their website a week or two before the event to see who will be racing.
Christmas Festival
The Christmas Festival is one of the most beloved events at the Leopardstown Racecourse. It’s a four-day festival that combines the people’s love for horse racing and the joy and jolly vibes of the holidays.
Each day is filled with food and fun, with a variety of experiences available during these four days. Some of the most notable ones are The Big Christmas Brunch, which is just a big feast, and the Winter Warmer, which is just racing with good food.
This all culminates on the fourth day, when you’ll have a massive feast filled with music, entertainment, and plenty of food. Each of these experiences reserves a lovely table where you can simply enjoy horse racing and the holidays.
Where to Eat When Heading to the Leopardstown Racecourse
I’m sure you’ve found yourself feeling a bit hungry after watching the race at the Leopardstown Racecourse. Good for you that there are restaurants both inside and near the racecourse. Here are the ones that we’d highly recommend.
1888 Restaurant
Media Credit: RacingBreaks Instagram
Website: https://www.leopardstown.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeopardstownRacecourse
Address: Carmanhall And Leopardstown, Foxrock, Co. Dublin, 18, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 01 289 0500
Price Range: €10 – €20
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday:
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The 1888 Restaurant is the premier dining establishment at Leopardstown Racecourse. This is an exclusive restaurant that you can avail when purchasing a ticket online. Located on the second floor of the Grandstand, it offers a great view of the races below.
You can choose between à la Carte dining or a set menu here. We chose the set menu and were served pea soup and pan-fried fillet of beef. Both dishes were great, especially the beef, which was cooked to perfection.
Woodruff
Media Credit: Woodruff Instagram
Website: https://woodruff.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodruff.ie
Address: Unit 7, The Village, 18 Enniskerry Rd, Stepaside, Dublin 18, D18 N26H, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 558 1362
Price Range: €20 – €30
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday:
- 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday:
- 12:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday:
- 12:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- Sunday:
- 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Woodruff is a relatively new restaurant that showcases the region’s diverse produce. It’s a restaurant that specializes in fresh and local produce and has sustainable practices where they make as little waste as possible from their cooking.
The restaurant has a fairly relaxed vibe, with muted colours and wooden accents that add a touch of class to the overall design.
I chose the roast monkfish when I came here. It was so flaky and soft, and it came with a bisque that paired perfectly with the fish.
The Step Inn
Website: https://www.thestepinn.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheStepInn
Address: 3 Enniskerry Rd, Stepaside, Dublin 18, D18 F6P8, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 295 6202
Price Range: €20 – €30
Operating Hours:
- Monday:
- 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday:
- 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday:
- 12:00 PM – 12:30 AM
The Step Inn is a modern restaurant with lively music that will leave you feeling relaxed and pampered. They mainly use local produce and use it in a myriad of different dishes that will surely leave you wanting more.
The entire restaurant has this diner-esque decor that makes it feel homey. I went with the Mozzarella Tower, and it was divine. The cheese was excellent, and the accompanying veggies were roasted to perfection.
China Sichuan Restaurant
Media Credit: China Sichuan Restaurant Instagram
Website: https://china-sichuan.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChinaSichuanSandyford
Address: The Forum, Ballymoss Rd, Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18, D18 XH28, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 293 5100
Price Range: €20 – €50
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday:
- 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday to Friday:
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday:
- 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday:
- 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
China Sichuan Restaurant provides a nice kick to its dishes that are simply unmatched. They specialise in Sichuan and Cantonese dishes, utilising oriental ingredients to create modernised twists on classic dishes that will surely blow you away.
The food here is the main highlight for me. We chose the set menu, and I was served with deep-fried spring rolls that were crispy and flavorful with the right amount of kick. For my main, I got the roast duck, which was tender and sweet.
Where to Stay When Heading to the Leopardstown Racecourse
I’m sure you’re already looking to book your hotel, but hear us out for a bit. We’ve got some wonderful hotels, both near Leopardstown Racecourse and in Dublin City Centre, for you to choose from. Who knows, one of these might catch your eye.
Talbot Hotel Stillorgan
Media Credit: Talbot Hotel Stillorgan Instagram
Website: https://www.talbothotelstillorgan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalbotHotelStillorgan
Address: Stillorgan Rd, Stillorgan, Dublin, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 200 1800
Price Range: Starts at €199
The Talbot Hotel is quite unique in its presentation. What drew us in were the uniquely styled rooms, which were either draped in muted colours or featured wacky paintings that were a joy to stare at.
They have a state-of-the-art gym known as TalbotFit that has all the modern equipment you need. There are even conference rooms, meeting rooms, and work desk areas for you to utilise at your leisure with Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and audio-visual setups.
The Clayton Hotel Leopardstown
Media Credit: Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Instagram
Website: https://www.claytonhotels.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claytonhotelleopardstown/#
Address: Clayton Hotel Leopardstown, Central Park, Sandyford Business Park, District, Co. Dublin, D18 K2P1, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 293 5000
Price Range: Starts at €208
The Clayton Hotel at Leopardstown is a classic in the Dublin hotel sphere. The Clayton Hotels are known for their hospitality, class, and reliability. The highlight of staying here is that it’s so close to most public transport, which provides easy access to Dublin.
The rooms here provide the same experience as any other Clayton Hotel in Dublin. The classic orange, gold, and black decorates each room, hallway, and lobby. There’s also The Red Bean Roastery inside the hotel that serves great coffee and pastries.
Royal Marine Hotel
Media Credit: Royal Marine Hotel Instagram
Website: https://www.royalmarine.ie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoyalMarineHotel
Address: Marine Rd, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 K063, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 230 0030
Price Range: Starts at €169
The Royal Marine Hotel has some of the nicest rooms and a lovely view. Located at Dún Laoghaire, you get to see the lovely Irish coast from your room, which provides a great backdrop for photos or to enjoy after waking up in the morning.
The main thing that attracted us to this hotel is its many packages. They have special rates for seniors, couples, and even families. There are also special spa packages, and they have discounted rates for those staying for longer than 3 nights.
The Merrion Hotel
Media Credit: The Merrion Hotel Instagram
Website: https://www.merrionhotel.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merrionhoteldublin
Address: Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 603 0600
Price Range: Starts at €696
The Merrion Hotel deserves no introduction as it’s Dublin City Centre’s premier hotel. Here, you’ll find yourself being pampered and taken care of by their staff. A stay here feels like royalty, and you can’t find it anywhere else.
The Merrion has lavish rooms that are styled like royal bedrooms, with comfortable furniture and beds; you’ll certainly have a good night’s rest. You can also head to Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, located inside, which serves some of the finest food in Dublin.
Powerscourt Hotel
Media Credit: Powerscourt Hotel Instagram
Website: https://www.marriott.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powerscourthotel
Address: Powerscourt Estate, Powerscourt Demesne, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, A98 DR12, Ireland
Contact Details: +353 1 274 8888
Price Range: Starts at €399
The Powerscourt Hotel is a massive hotel. It occupies 1000 acres and is shaped like a mansion. With its Palladian design, it’s one of the more classy and fancy hotels located outside Dublin City Centre.
The Sika Restaurant is the highlight of staying here. You can dine while looking at the wonderful Sugar Loaf Mountains. The expansive garden that stretches for over 47 acres also has a waterfall and outdoor dining spaces at the Avoca cafe.
Tips When Visiting the Leopardstown Racecourse
Now, before you start heading to Leopardstown Racecourse to start betting, I’ve got a few tips for you that might tickle your fancy. While I can’t guarantee that these will improve your visit, they will certainly provide a more unique experience.
| Avail a Reservation at 1800 Restaurant The best view of the racecourse is at the 1800 Restaurant. If you want to dine and watch the races, then paying an extra few euros will certainly elevate your experience at Leopardstown Racecourse. Go on a Hike The wonderful Fairy Castle and Three Rock hiking trails are quite near the racecourse. If you want to be one with nature when visiting this part of Dublin, then we’d highly recommend taking on one of these trails. Buy Your Tickets Online Ticket prices for adults are actually a lot cheaper online than on-site. If you’re looking to save a few euros, then we’d highly suggest buying your tickets online. Avail Their MembershipThere are certain spots at Leopardstown Racecourse that are only available for members. These spaces are far more comfortable and let you watch the races in private. |