Few sights invoke more passion in a racing lover than that of horses pounding across the springy open plains of The Curragh, crisp clouds of breath puffing out into the early morning air.
This is your chance to experience the best of Irish hospitality and racing at the three day Irish Derby festival. Enjoy a couple of nights in Dublin discovering this ancient and modern city, before heading to The Curragh to discover what makes Irish racing so strong.
WHY NOT BOTH?? ROYAL ASCOT AND IRISH DERBY JOINT TOUR: Our Irish Derby Tour follows on from Royal Ascot Tour and includes Free internal flight & transfers London to Dublin with a joint tour discount of $600. Contact us for more details.
PAYMENT – $500pp deposit due on booking, balance due 60 days before the tour begins.
Arrive in Dublin and make your way to our centrally located four-star hotel in Dublin. We’ll meet late afternoon for a drink before we head out for a welcome dinner and drinks to get to know everyone and enjoy some Irish hospitality.
After breakfast, we’ll be taken on a guided tour of ancient and modern Dublin to get the lay of the land and learn about the amazing history of the Irish capital. We’ll drive through the streets of Dublin to see historic buildings such as Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is housed; learn the troubled history of Ireland; drop into Teeling Distillery for a taste and of course lunch and a Guinness at a great pub.
The afternoon and evening are yours to explore more of Dublin.
We have a free day today for everyone to explore more of Dublin, with a tour to Jameson Whiskey Distillery, Croke Park Stadium or Trinity College & the Book of Kells on the recommended list.
We’ll meet late afternoon at a traditional Irish Pub to enjoy a few pints to soak up the atmosphere of the city.
After checking out of our Dublin Hotel, we’re off to the countryside to the heart of Irish racing, The Curragh. Few sights encapsulate the essence of County Kildare more than that of horses pounding across the springy open plains of The Curragh, crisp clouds of breath puffing out into the early morning air. The horse – ‘capall’ in Irish – has been an intrinsic part of life in the county for thousands of years and today this landscape of deep-green pastures comprises the heart of Ireland’s world-famous bloodstock and racing industries.
We’ll enjoy a tour of the amazing Coolmoore Stud and see their amazing stallion. We’ll also drop in for lunch at the famous Mickey Ryan’s Hotel and take al look around Cashel palace hotel.
W’ell then check into our hotel in Naas for the next four nights and the evening is yours to do the form for the next few days.
Join us for our VIP irish National Stud, just a few minutes away in Kildare. Exploring the stud, Japanese Gardens and Museum for a virtual racehorse experience. We will then head to The Curragh Racecourse for a behind the scenes tour to learn more about what makes the curragh so special and finish with a light lunch.
Then we’re off to the opening day of the Festival weekend which features a host of group races for you to enjoy from our VIP hospitality tables in the Ledger Restaurant with excellent racing views. You will be served a delicious 3-course dinner with reserved tables for the day.
Situated in the heart of the grandstand on level 3, the ledger restaurant is a bright, elegant room with oak panel flooring and glass walls that allow you to experience the race day atmosphere while enjoying world-class hospitality. Restaurant guests have access to an adjacent reserved balcony overlooking the track.
We’re back for 2nd dayl with more top-quality racing. We have more premium hospitality in the St Leger Restaurant – Located on the 2nd floor of the grandstand overlooking the racecourse and finishing straight with a balcony. The package includes 3-course lunch with a reserved seat for the day and a race card for each guest.
It’s Derby Day — Not only the valuable Irish Derby but several group races will keep you entertained as we are dining in the Oaks Restaurant with excellent racing views including special racing guests and tipsters. You will be served a delicious 3-course lunch with reserved tables for the day.
Situated in the heart of the grandstand on level 2, the oaks restaurant is a bright, elegant room with oak panel flooring and glass walls that allow you to experience the race day atmosphere while enjoying world-class hospitality. Restaurant guests have access to an adjacent reserved balcony overlooking the parade ring and champagne bar terrace below.
After breakfast, the tour concludes with airport transfers as we all head our separate ways back to Australia or onto our next adventure….hopefully with some winnings from the week.