Irish Derby Festival

Arrive in Dublin and check in to The Davenport Hotel, our centrally located four-star hotel. In the late afternoon, we’ll gather for a welcome drink before heading out to dinner and drinks, giving everyone a chance to meet, mingle, and enjoy a taste of genuine Irish hospitality.

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of both ancient and modern Dublin, discovering the rich history of Ireland’s capital. We’ll drive through the city streets to see iconic landmarks such as Trinity College, home of the Book of Kells, explore Ireland’s fascinating and sometimes troubled past, and stop at Teeling Distillery for a tasting. Lunch and a pint of Guinness at a traditional pub are also included.

The late afternoon and evening are free for you to further explore Dublin at your own pace.

After checking out of our Dublin hotel, we’ll head into the countryside to the heart of Irish racing: The Curragh. Few sights capture the spirit of County Kildare better than the sight of horses galloping across the springy open plains, their breath visible in the crisp morning air. The horse—or capall in Irish—has been an integral part of life here for thousands of years, and today these lush green pastures form the centre of Ireland’s world-renowned bloodstock and racing industries.

Next, we’ll continue to the town of Naas, our base for the next five nights. After checking in to Lawlor’s of Naas, we’ll visit Kildangan Stud (Godolphin), Sheikh Mohammed’s Irish thoroughbred racehorse farm, before enjoying lunch on the estate.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy a relaxed buffet dinner as a group at Lawlor’s Hotel to round out the day.

Note: Twilight casual racing at Naas racecourse for those interested in the evening.

Today is a special day as we visit the world-famous Coolmore Stud, where we’ll see their magnificent stallions and explore the new museum.

Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a two-course lunch at Saddlers Restaurant, owned by Coolmore, where guests can savour the flavours of Tipperary. The menu, created by Stephen Hayes, Director of Culinary at Cashel Palace Hotel, highlights locally sourced ingredients and celebrates the region’s rich agricultural heritage. Guests can enjoy a variety of dishes, from classic Irish favourites to innovative creations, all crafted with freshness and authenticity in mind.

The evening is free for you to relax or further explore Naas at your leisure.

We’ll start the day at the iconic Curragh Racecourse, where we’ll watch horses working on the gallops and meet an Irish racing legend. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy a Q&A session and gain insight into how top trainers buy, sell, and prepare racehorses on the hallowed Curragh plains.

Next, we’ll visit the Irish National Stud for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. Discover the rich history and breeding traditions of this renowned stud, and meet some of Ireland’s most celebrated champions, including Beef or Salmon, Hurricane Fly, Faugheen, Rite of Passage, and more. Guests will also experience the popular virtual reality attraction, where you can own, train, and ride your own racehorse—a firm favourite with visitors!

After a short break back at the hotel, we’ll depart around 3:15 pm for the opening evening of the Irish Derby Festival at The Curragh. Enjoy a thrilling night of top-class racing from the comfort of hospitality, complete with dinner, drinks, and stunning trackside views.

We return to The Curragh for a superb day of racing and hospitality, situated on the top level of the racecourse with exceptional views. Today’s card features an exciting lineup of valuable Group and Listed races, setting the stage for Derby Day. It’s also Ladies Day, where racegoers step out in style, with fashion taking centre stage and fantastic prizes on offer.

The evening is free to relax, unwind, and prepare for the highlight of the weekend—Derby Day!

It’s Derby Day, and we head back to The Curragh for the pinnacle of the festival—the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, accompanied by a stellar supporting card of Group and Listed races.

We’ll experience the day from the comfort of the prestigious Galileo Suite, enjoying spectacular views along with lunch and drinks included.

We’ll return to Lawlor’s Hotel around 7:15 pm, giving you time to freshen up before the weekend’s grand finale—the Irish Derby Hooley in the hotel’s lavish ballroom.

After breakfast, the tour concludes with airport transfers as we all head our separate ways or onto our next adventure…. hopefully with some winnings from the week.