Cork Racecourse Mallow

Cork has the reputation of being the friendliest part of Ireland and those from the "People’s Republic of Cork", the status many of its denizens like to bestow on their home, like to embrace outsiders to their part of the world once you have a knowledge and appreciation of their county.

Quick Facts About Cork Racecourse Mallow

Organised racing in the Mallow region goes back as far as 1777 when six consecutive days racing was held under the auspices of the King's Plate Articles. When Cork Park racecourse closed in 1917 it left a sporting void to be filled in Ireland's largest county and so in 1924 Mallow racecourse was formed.

A few miles down the road from Cork Racecourse was the scene of the historic race which gave the world the phrase "steeplechasing", now a descriptive term for a race over fences. In 1752 two sporting Cork gentlemen, Edmund Blake and Cornelius O'Callaghan, wanted to find out which of their horses was the better so they organised a 4 1/2 mile race across country from the steeple of the St John's Church in Buttevant to that of St Mary's in Doneraile. Blake won the match and the bet, which was a cask of wine.

In 2002 a re-enactment of the event was organised in celebration of the two participants, attracting many amateur jockeys for the fun of it. A bronze monument to Blake and O'Callaghan stands in the village of Buttevant and is worth a visit before or after a visit to Cork races. It is very fitting indeed because Cork people are probably the most enthusiastic supporters and followers of jump racing in Ireland and many of the best jump horses are bred in Cork.

Cork Revealed

Cork has the reputation of being the friendliest part of Ireland and those from the "People’s Republic of Cork", the status many of its denizens like to bestow on their home, like to embrace outsiders to their part of the world once you have a knowledge and appreciation of them and their county, of which they are very proud. It is said (by Cork people mostly) of the legendary aphorism "Ireland, the land of 100,000 welcomes" that all but 236 of those welcomes come from County Cork.

The racecourse reflects this with a very informal homely feel to it which has not been compromised by the recent modernisation. Racing at Cork is a mix of quality jump and flat racing with mixed cards taking precedence in Summer and all jumps in Winter.

Course Characteristics

The new improved course is a right-handed, flat, oval track of about one mile and four furlongs in length with a six furlong sprint track.

How To Get There

By Road:
35 km north of Cork city. 64 km south of Limerick city. Patrons coming from Cork city or Limerick (N20) go under the railway bridge at the roundabout in Mallow town. Patrons coming from Dublin or Waterford direction (N72 and N73) take the town park bypass to reach the roundabout. The racecourse is on the left out the Killarney road.

By Rail:
Mallow railway station is served by trains from Cork, Dublin, Tralee and Killarney. Free bus shuttle service to and from the racecourse. For more see www.irishrail.ie

By Air:
Cork airport is 44 km from the course. Helicopter landing at the course can be arranged in advance. For more see www.corkairport.com

Shuttle Bus:
There is a free shuttle bus service to and from Mallow town and train station for all race meetings.  Contact the office on 022 50207 or check the website www.corkracecourse.ie for pick up times.

Admission

Adult:	€15
OAPs & Students:	€10
Children 14 and under:	Free

 

Refreshment Facilities

 There are 5 public bars in the racecourse.  There are three in the Grand Stand and two in the new Pavilion Stand.  There is also a carvery restaurant, a hot roast beef and snack stand and a fast food restaurant. 

 

Corporate Facilities

The main restaurant is situated on the top floor of the impressive 3-storey Grandstand overlooking the track and winning post. With an extensive menu, full bar and Tote facilities it can cater for groups of 2 to 300. The Grandstand also has 6 corporate hospitality suites, each of which has its own balcony overlooking the racetrack and winning post. These can cater for 15-25 people and are equipped with CCTV, bar and Tote facilities.

The New Pavilion Stand, opened on 2nd November 2008, offers the ideal location for a corporate day out.  It can seat up to 200 people in very sumptuous surroundings with a viewing balcony offering unrivalled views of the racetrack, betting ring and parade ring.  Downstairs contains a state of the art Paddy Power Betting Shop along with fast food and bar facilities, making facilities for the everyday punter as comfortable as possible.

Disabled Facilities

Cork is a wheelchair friendly course with access to all areas for disabled people plus a designated disabled viewing area on the rails.

Apres Racing
The Blackwater River, upon whose banks the racecourse is situated, is a renowned salmon-fishing river and there are many local fishing clubs that will organise fishing expeditions and provide accommodation for visitors. The above mentioned steeplechase plaque in Buttevant is worth seeing. There are also many opportunities for golf, pony trekking and also archaeological sites of interest including Mallow Castle..

 

Local Hotels
The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow	022 21588
The Charaville Park Hotel	063 81600
Longueville House, Mallow	022 47156
Springfort Hall Hotel, Mallow	022 21278

 

Local Restaurants
The Whild Goose	022 21934
Gallery Bar & Restaurant	022 20670
The Arches Bar & Restaurant	022 42680
The White Deer Restaurant	022 57337

 

Local Pubs
Alberts, Market Square
Maureens Mallow Town
The Arches
The Gallery