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Media Release, Monday 8th April 2024:  With just three weeks to go and 100,000 people expected to attend, Punchestown Racecourse today reminded festival goers of exciting plans and enhancements for the upcoming 2024 Punchestown Festival running from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May.

 

The five day social and sporting highlight is a homecoming celebration of Irish jump racing, sport and culture. With a prize fund of over €3.4 million, twelve top tier grade one contests, season champions like Galopin Des Champs and household names including Willie Mullins, Rachael Blackmore and Paul Townend in action. Beyond the parade ring and into the enclosures the Punchestown Festival is Ireland’s largest sporting corporate hospitality event and will host over 17,000 guests across an impressive array of restaurants, pavilions and suites. The competition on track will be hard fought whilst the style stakes in the prestigious Bollinger Best Dressed, live music, street theatre and Shopping Village appeals to the social element of the attendees.

 

The Four Key Changes for Punchestown Festival 2024:

 

1.Earlier Start Times

The first two days of the 2024 Punchestown Festival will revert to a 2.30pm start from the current time of 3.40pm. Market research shows that around 70% of paying clients would ‘definitely or most probably’ like to see some of the festival days start and finish earlier.

 

 2.Ticket Products and Pricing

Whether it’s a business or a household value for money is particularly important now more than ever. Following a full review of ticket pricing and products there will be a price reduction to €30 for the first three days and €40 for Friday and Saturday of the 2024 Punchestown Festival for advance purchased tickets. There will be an additional €5 per ticket charge for on the day purchases excluding senior, student and family day concession tickets that can only be purchased on the day. As a premium sport and leisure event these prices compare very favourably to similar occasions.

As always group discounts apply and for larger groups it is recommended that they contact the racecourse office directly in advance. The original Flexi ticket will be replaced by the new Choice Ticket that can be used Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday. Senior, student and Family ticket concessions continue on a walk-up basis. All children under 14 years of age race for free all season.

 

3.Refreshed Festival Layout

The festival layout will undergo a refresh including the removal of the traditional reserved enclosure divide and the introduction of exciting new features around the parade ring enclosure. The famous Sky Bar, Bollinger Garden, Shopping and entertainment areas will remain as popular as ever with the Southern Enclosure accessible to all. The objective is to optimise the scope of the enclosures, utilise all available facilities which in turn will improve footfall, flow and reduce potential pressure points.

 

4. Enhance & Improve Raceday Experience

This point is neither new nor dynamic as the pursuit of excellent customer experience is an ongoing process. The enhancement of the race day visit will go hand-in-hand with the new layout. The Punchestown demographic is a diverse one with varied tastes and requirements for a memorable customer experience. Alongside our catering and service partners, we aim to deliver a selection of great quality food and beverage options with efficient, friendly service in comfortable surroundings. Whilst costs have increased across the board for product and services every effort has been made to minimise the impact on the customer.

 

Conor O’Neill Punchestown CEO explained the theory behind the strategy: “We say it time and time again that people make Punchestown, so it is those very people who have shaped and informed this plan and it is this plan that will help us deliver the best possible Punchestown experience we can to our customers who are the backbone of our business. Now we need support with feet on the ground and people through the gates. If it doesn’t work for the customer it ultimately won’t work for Punchestown, so I hope we’ve got the balance right as we look ahead to welcoming friends old and new to the 2024 upcoming Punchestown Festival.”

 

The 2024 Punchestown Festival will take place from Tuesday 30th April to Saturday 4th May. For full information please visit www.punchestown.com

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Editors Notes

Punchestown Festival 2024 Advance Ticket Prices

Punchestown Racecourse today announced details of the new look Punchestown Winter Festival that will take place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th November.

The home of Irish jump racing will embrace the new later dates and roll out a festive feel across the weekend where, in addition to brilliant sport, there will be live music each evening, a special edition shopping village, FREE family fun and delicious seasonal additions to the food and beverage menus.

Central to the overhaul is the improved top class racing line-up with a prize fund of €500,000. A thrilling cross-weekend grade one double header stars the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle on day one, Saturday 25th November and the John Durkan Memorial Chase settling into its new home on day two, Sunday 26th November.

This year’s Durkan Chase is shaping up to be a blockbuster with a clash of gold cup heroes in store as the Willie Mullins trained Cheltenham Gold cup victor Galopin Des Champs bids to reverse fortunes with Punchestown Gold Cup champion Fast Or Slow owned by Ballymore Eustace Mulryan family.

The Punchestown Winter Festival continues to focus on community and the next generation with a full weekend of free family entertainment, Irish made craft and fundraising. A family ticket costs just €25 for two adults and young children and includes access to The Playroom and activities. Whilst the stars of racing will be on show on the track, Santa the ultimate festive celebrity, will be meeting and greeting around the enclosures. The Playroom will be in open from 11.30am to 3pm both days offering games, Santa letter station, face painting, creative craft zone and more. Meanwhile, in the grand stand a special edition shopping village will create great atmosphere and Christmas shopping opportunities.

The Newbridge Branch of Guide Dogs Ireland and Kildare Down Syndrome will be fundraising across the weekend. Punchestown will be a drop off point for the county toy and gift appeal. Race goers that can afford to and would like to take part are encouraged to bring along new toys, clothes, tinned food or gift cards which they can drop off at the allocated collection point. All donations will go to the Naas Point centre who will distribute to local charities and families in need.

The timing of the big weekend has proved popular for social gatherings and special occasions. Those meeting friends to enjoy the great selection bars and live music will be happy to hear that a shuttle bus service to Naas will be available after racing each day. The Race & Dine package is almost fully booked for the Saturday with Sunday appealing to the family lunch market. Meanwhile those travelling from Dublin can avail of direct transfers with Marathon Travel from the quays.

Punchestown CEO Conor O’Neill is looking forward to the refreshed feature meeting “After the April festival this winter weekend is our next priority. We have really elevated the racing programme and to have two grade ones across the weekend is excellent. The dates will also make sense for many to kick off the festive season so we’ve ramped up the entertainment for all age groups. In line with our festival overhaul we continue to focus on value, catering for all ages and tastes whilst giving back to community and charity. There will be great sport, food, music, fun and games for all. As we always say People Make Punchestown and we look forward to welcoming friends old and new on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th November.

 

Punchestown Winter Festival Quick Guide:

 The Punchestown Winter Festival takes place Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th November.

 

 

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Osprey Hotel is the place to be before and after the races once again for 2023 and is bigger and better than ever, this year the 4-star hotel in Naas has lined up another fantastic week of entertainment to coincide with the Punchestown Festival 2023.

As a sponsor of Punchestown with the growing Osprey Avenue shopping village at the festival, this year the hotel is pulling out all the stops to make 2023 the best one yet.

A complimentary shuttle bus will be running regularly each day from the hotel to the festival before and after the races.

A new addition this year is the star studded Punchestown Preview from 12 – 2pm on Tuesday 25th April in partnership with the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund in the refurbished Osprey Ballroom, a great way to start the week hearing from RTE broadcasters, racing pundits and jockeys. Enjoy some delicious carvery options, while enjoying a pint and soaking up the atmosphere for the start of the festival, before you head for the track for an amazing day of racing.

After hopefully a successful day at the races, there is plenty of reason to return to the Osprey Hotel afterwards and soak up the atmosphere and witness the great entertainment on offer.

Live entertainment will be on each evening in the Osprey Bar, grab a drink and absorb everything the hotel has to offer. New for 2023 is the addition of our SilverStream food truck in our courtyard with a post race BBQ on Thursday 27th April.

On Friday night the Osprey Hotel hosts the Ultimate Festival Finale to a packed house, our DJ’s will entertain in the lobby, restaurant and bar while the ticketed ‘ULTIMATE FESTIVAL FINALE’ event takes place in the ballroom featuring for 2023, none other than ‘SPRINGBREAK’ and includes full access to our courtyard stretch tent, food truck and outdoor bars.

Michael Boyle, General Manager is eagerly awaiting the arrival of this years festival:

“We are delighted to continue our sponsorship with Punchestown Festival for 2023. Even more so this year as it’s such an exciting time at the hotel at the moment with so many positive things happening within the team and hotel property. We were delighted to complete the refurbishment of our public areas with the full refurb of our bedrooms due to commence in the coming months. We recently celebrated being awarded ‘Great Place to Work’ accreditation along with receiving Silver status through our sustainability endeavors with Green Tourism. The team enjoy the week so much, welcoming back our regular racing guests and the general buzz and atmosphere makes it the most anticipated week of the year at Osprey and we can’t wait”.

For full details visit www.ospreyhotel.ie or follow on their social media platforms.

Saturday 19  &  Sunday  20 November featuring graded, cross country & listed racing
Live Music, Free childrens Play Room, Dining Packages, Bus Service
Advance Ticket Deals and Dining Packages

A sporting and social favourite, the Punchestown Winter Festival returns on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November with an action packed programme of brilliant racing, live music, family fun and unique dining experiences in store as the Punchestown team commit to deliver a quality experience for all ages at the right price.

At the centre of the double header comes top class racing and the Punchestown Winter Festival welcomes the stars of the game as they launch their season campaigns. Household names like Rachael Blackmore, Willie Mullins and champion jockey Paul Townend will set out their stalls in the first grade one hurdle of the season. The prestigious Unibet Morgiana Hurdle takes centre stage on Sunday 20th November and is a wonderful opportunity to see champion hurdle contenders in the flesh. The supporting card more than holds its own with spectator favourites like the Risk Of Thunder Cross Country race and grade two Florida Pearl Chase on offer. Day one, Saturday 19th November, is full of potential thrillers as we kick off with two chases over the famous Punchestown fences before enjoying two graded hurdles and more.

Off the turf and in the enclosures visitors can enjoy entertainment for all ages and levels of horse racing knowledge or experience. There will be live music in the grandstand after racing each day with a wide selection of bars including the Open Gate, Loft and Archive bars all providing excellent viewing, seating and access for your comfort. Enjoy all that a race day has to offer with the peace of mind that there will be a bus transfer service into Naas after racing each day.

Punchestown is a family friendly venue and with free parking, free admission to all under 14 years, ample buggy friendly hardcore space and child friendly dining options. Junior racegoers and families will be pleased to hear that The Playroom is back in action. This complimentary indoor facility is located next to the horse walk where a selection of games, chill out movie corner, face painting and activities will keep the younger race goers entertained during weekend race days this winter.

For families who may have outgrown the face painting stage, the ever-popular Race & Dine package is a wonderful way to elevate quality time or celebrate a special occasion. Enjoy all that is so special about an afternoon at the races from an amazing vantage point overlooking the beautiful Punchestown setting. With the ‘race’ aspect delivered, the excellent Kildare based Lily and Wild team will prepare and serve a selection of delicious seasonal dishes as part of the three course ‘dine’ element. Reserved table, guest tipster, bar, betting and full access to enclosure services like parade ring and bookmakers ring are all part of the package.

Conor O’Neill Punchestown CEO shares the teams focus to provide value to racegoers: “Running a business and a household means that I am acutely aware of just how expensive life has become! When choosing how to spend your hard-earned money you want to get value and a quality day out for you and your family or pals. We get that. We all do the same. With this in mind we have discounts and free race cards for those who book in advance, children under 14 always race for free at Punchestown and can enjoy free games and entertainment. We have worked hard with our catering and beverage partners to deliver quality and variety at the best price point that we can. An afternoon at the races with up close access to world class stars of sport offers hours of entertainment and certainly represents good value by comparison to many other options. On behalf of the team I’d like to say that we look forward to seeing visitors of all ages enjoy Punchestown this winter as People make Punchestown”.

So the message from Punchestown is to dress up or wrap up but certainly round up the gang and come racing this winter at this special place on your doorstep in the heart of Kildare.

 

Punchestown Winter Festival Quick Guide:

When: Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November 2022
Time: First race/last race 12.30 & 4pm Saturday. 11.45 & 3.50pm Sunday.
Tickets: €15pp in advance includes free racecard on arrival. €20 on the day. Seniors and students can purchase for €15 on the day. Children under 14 years FREE. Visit www.punchestown.com
Make Your Day: Live music and bus service into Naas after racing both days.
Pre-booked Dining: Race & Dine packages in restaurant or private suite from €52pp.
Casual Dining – Hay Café and The Feedroom for carvery lunches, light snacks, pastries and barista coffee.
The Playroom – Free indoor child friendly room with games, activities, movie corner, face painting etc. This is not a crèche facility and a parent or guardian must supervise children please.
More: For the best info follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. Get the best deals when you sign up to our newsletter. Visit www.punchetsown.com or call the team who are happy to help.

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