THE Curragh’s season kicks off a little earlier than usual this year on Monday, March 18th, which is a public holiday.

Already the racecourse is planning something different for the day and has launched an initiative in partnership with Nua Healthcare Services.

The Naas-based company will sponsor the Curragh’s opening meeting and the theme of the day will highlight the link between the benefits of physical activity to good mental health.

Sports clubs from all over Kildare are being invited to support the day and partake in a fundraiser linked to one of the big races on the day.

Over the coming weeks 1,000 free tickets will be made available to all participating sports club members in Kildare. Each club that enters will be matched with a horse running in a race. The horses that finish in the first three places will then earn prize money for their partner club.

Nua Healthcare Services provide community based residential services, specialist hospital services and supported living services for citizens (men, women and or children) with either a Mental Health condition or Intellectual Disability.

Web: curragh.ie