PUNCHESTOWN 2023

The Punchestown Festival 2023 – Guide, Checklist, Mistakes to Avoid, FAQ & More!

A Guide to Make the Most of Punchestown Festival including 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Are you looking for a fun-filled week in 2023? The Punchestown Festival is the place to be! This annual event attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. It is an event that should not be missed, especially if you are a horse racing enthusiast. The Punchestown Festival is an exciting event that combines top-class horse racing, fashion, music, and food. In this guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to make the most out of your trip to the Punchestown Festival in 2023.

What is Punchestown Festival?

The Punchestown Festival is a five-day event that takes place in late April or early May. The festival is held at the Punchestown Racecourse, which is located in Naas, County Kildare, Ireland. The festival is known for its high-quality horse racing and attracts some of the best horses, jockeys, and trainers in the world. The festival also features a wide range of entertainment, including music, fashion, and food. The Punchestown Festival is held from Tuesday 25th April to Saturday 29th of April.

Punchestown Festival is over 150 years old. It is a long-standing tradition in Ireland. The first ever meeting was held 'amid a perfect hurricane'. Read more about the history of Punchestown here.

Getting to Punchestown Festival

By Taxi:

Taxi's from Dublin City Centre/Dublin Airport would cost between €70-€120.
Taxi's from Naas town to The Punchestown Festival would cost less than €15.

Public Transport:

Sallins & Naas train station is located just outside of Naas town. There is a shuttle service from the train station to Naas town, where you could opt to take a taxi or travel to Punchestown Racecourse through a dedicated festival shuttle service. There are direct trains to Sallins & Naas station from Dublin Heuston. Please see here for Heuston-Sallins train schedule.

126 Bus travels directly from Red Cow Luas Stop to Naas town. See schedule here.
139 Bus travels from Blanchardstown, through key towns such as Leixlip & Maynooth to Naas town. See schedule here.

Accommodation

Best Places to Stay for The Punchestown Festival 2023

There are several accommodation options available for visitors to the Punchestown Festival. You can choose to stay in Naas, which is the closest town to the festival, or in Dublin, which is just under an hour's drive away. There are plenty of hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses in both locations. However, it is advisable to book your accommodation well in advance, as the festival attracts a large number of visitors, and accommodation tends to sell out quickly.

Best Places to Eat & Drink

Neighbourhood Naas Restaurant

We are a brand new restaurant in the heart of Naas, Co. Kildare. Our restaurant is located just shy of 10 minutes away from The Punchestown Festival, making it the ideal spot to enjoy a meal with friends after the festival. It is our first year of The Punchestown Festival, and we will be open from (DATE-DATE). We will be open from (TIME-TIME) on these days.

Why Choose Neighbourhood?

After being open less than 4 months, we have received stellar reviews in major Irish newspapers. We have also received Michelin commendation. You can read more on the Michelin Guide's Point of View of NBHD here. Our full Lunch & Dinner Menu's are available for view on our Menu page.

Other Places to Eat & Drink in Naas & Nearby

There is a wide range of Restaurants, Gastropubs and Pubs located in the town of Naas. There are over 5 pubs within walking distance from Neighbourhood Restaurant, making it the perfect place to enjoy a meal after Punchestown.

What to Wear

The Punchestown Festival 2023 Dresscode

The Punchestown Festival is not just about horse racing; it is also a fashion event. Visitors are encouraged to dress up and show off their best outfits. Ladies usually wear dresses and hats, while men wear suits and ties. However, the dress code is not very strict, and you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in.

The Punchestown Festival also hosts a Best Dressed award, with prizes in previous years reaching north of €20,000!

The Punchestown Festival 2023 Checklist

5 Mistakes to Avoid during The Punchestown Festival 2023

Organisation:

It is imperative that you organise all transport, accommodation, meals & tickets well in advance of The Punchestown Festival 2023.

Weather:

As unpredictable as Irish weather is, make sure you don’t leave your jackets and umbrellas at home!

Arrive too late:

To ensure you make the most of Punchestown, we advise you don’t arrive too late! The turnstiles open approximately an hour and a half before the first race each day. Why not arrive early?

Cash:

Make sure you are prepared with enough cash beforehand. There are cash-back facilities available on-site, but we highly recommend organising cash to avoid lengthy queues.

Drink Responsibly

Punchestown Festival is a brilliant space to enjoy with friends and family, but make sure you know your limit!

What to Expect

What happens in The Punchestown Festival?

The Punchestown Festival is an event like no other. You can expect to see some of the best horse racing in the world, with races such as the Punchestown Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle, and the World Series Hurdle. You can also expect to see some of the best jockeys and trainers in action. The festival also features a wide range of entertainment, including live music, food stalls, and fashion shows.