THE Association of Irish Racecourses is delighted to feature Navan Racecourse in this week’s column. With just a week to go until the inaugural Navan Racing Festival on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November, we caught up with Racecourse Manager, Aidan McGarry to discover all the details you need for a thrilling weekend’s festival.

Plans are ramping up for a weekend of top-class racing, music and hospitality both at the racecourse and also within Navan town. The festival features the historic Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase along with high-class races such as the Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle, the John Lynch Carpets and Floors Monksfield Novice Hurdle plus the Bar One Racing Fortria Chase amongst many others.

Navan town centre is at the heart of all festival plans and the team at the racecourse have worked in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, Boyne Valley Tourism, and a number of local bars, businesses and community groups on some exciting new initiatives to strengthen the festival. There has been a substantial increase in ticket pre-sales for the festival and this will boost the footfall to Navan town centre with racegoers encouraged to visit after racing over the weekend, so everyone’s a winner!

Festivities

Body Funk Music on Saturday and Pilgrim Street on Sunday are just two of a number of musical acts that will play over the weekend in the Bulmers Marquee located next to the parade ring. The fun doesn’t stop after the races do though, with Navan Racecourse partnering with bars and pubs in the wider Navan area it means racegoers can continue their festivities following a great day at the races. For ease of travel to and from the races, a free shuttle bus service for racegoers will run from the Fairgreen, Navan town centre at 10am, 10.30am and 11.15am each day, and will return to the town after racing each evening.

Gates open at 10am both days, the first race is off at 11:50am on day one and 11:45am on day two.

Aidan McGarry, racecourse manager commented: “The whole team and racecourse committee at Navan Racecourse is hugely excited about the upcoming weekend and look forward to what should be a great few days for the racecourse and Navan town. All the early indicators are positive with strong sales and great interest which has resulted in hospitality being sold out for the Festival on both days.

“There is a notable strong contingent of racegoers attending from further afield including Northern Ireland and England also. By working with our brilliant pub partners, sponsors, and with the assistance of Fáilte Ireland and Boyne Valley Tourism, we hope the whole town feels the benefit of what should be a busy weekend.”

Michael Gavigan, owner of The Central Bar in Navan commented: “We in the Central Bar and Restaurant are delighted to be involved in the inaugural Navan Racing Festival. Racing in Navan is synonymous with great times and great fun with friends. We are partnering with Navan Racecourse to offer race goers a full day and night experience of racing and fun, followed by post-racing live music, drinks, food and craic. It’s fantastic there are so many good options of bars and restaurants in the Navan area.”

The Association of Irish Racecourses sends their very best wishes to Aidan McGarry and all the team at Navan Racecourse as preparations continue ahead of the Navan Racing Festival. For more information and to book your tickets visit navanracecourse.ie.