Introduction Introduction Who we are? What we do? What is a On the 18th April 1927, the first Bord na gCon monitors all aspects Night at the Dogs? greyhound race track was opened of the sport throughout the country, Greyhound racing in Ireland consists in Ireland. This was in Celtic Park, ensuring the kennels and stadia of 6 dogs chasing after a mechanical Belfast, and was followed immediately maintain the highest standards in care hare over distances ranging from 300 by Shelbourne Park, Dublin one month of the dogs. Owing to its popularity yards up to 1035 yards. The most later. In the same year, tracks were in Ireland, breeding and rearing of regular distances raced are 525/550 opened at Harolds Cross, Dublin and Greyhounds and pedigree racing dogs yards. The dogs are allocated trap Dunmore Stadium in Belfast with Cork has been somewhat of a cottage numbers 1 – 6 with each trap having a colour assigned to it. opening the following year. industry in rural areas of Ireland. While In 1958, the Government established many people derive their income from Bord na gCon (The Irish Greyhound this industry, for many owners and Board), and we now operate from our trainers it is purely a hobby. A mechanical hare is set in motion Head Office in Limerick. One of the oldest breeds of dog and just before it passes by the traps domesticated by man, greyhounds the greyhounds are released. The dogs chase the “hare” around an oval track possess great stamina and endurance, and the first dog past the finish line is in addition to being both intelligent declared the winner. and gentle animals. It is for their This exciting sport has gained remarkable speed, however, that they popularity as a pastime in Ireland are renowned. Capable of running and our venues now boast top class at up to 60kph when in full flight, restaurant and bars with a range greyhounds are the 18th fastest land of menus and food offerings to mammal and are born racers. They choose from. You too can be part can, for instance, cover 480 metres in of the excitement and witness the greyhounds compete for the grand about 28 seconds, which is twice the prize at our racing grounds. You’ll find speed of an Olympic athlete. it hard not to join the shouting and applause as the dogs round the final bend. We believe that that there is nothing to match the buzz of greyhound racing both as a unique cultural evening and an entertainment event. Our Venues Where we are Our Contact Information BORD NA GCON / IRISH GREYHOUND BOARD Unit C1. Thurles Technology Park. Thurles. Co. Tipperary Email: [email protected] Contact Number: +353 61 448 080 About Us (1890 269 969) Capacity Race Nights and Times Grandstand Hospitality Fri Sat Sun Tues Mon Thur Stadium Admission Fast Food Other Weds Restaurant Suites Stadium Gates Open 1st Race Shelbourne Unlimited 400 220 Unlimited 150 Shelbourne Park 6.30pm 7.40pm Park, Dublin Outdoor Pavillion Curraheen Newbridge Unlimited 190 114 Unlimited 105 Snugs 7pm 8pm Park, Cork Galway Unlimited 155 0 Unlimited Curraheen Park 6.45pm 7.40pm Limerick Unlimited 190 88 Unlimited Mullingar 6.30pm/12.30pm 7.45pm/3.18pm Kilcohan Park, Unlimited 178 0 Unlimited Kilcohan Park 7pm 7.50pm Waterford Mullingar Unlimited 110 0 Unlimited Galway 6.30pm 7.52pm Kingdom Stadium, Unlimited 140 80 Unlimited Limerick 6.30pm 7.40pm Tralee Kingdom Newbridge Unlimited 102 40 Unlimited 6.45pm 7.40pm Youghal 7pm 7.40pm Larger capacities can be catered for on Race Nights and for Exclusive Venue hire. We also cater for stand-alone events. * All race dates and times are subject to change Packages Our Restaurants Our Private Hospitality Suites: If you would like to experience dinner with Looking to combine privacy for your group and still enjoy the a difference, then it’s hard to beat booking full excitement and atmosphere of racing – then our private a table at the Grandstand Restaurant. Here, hospitality suites are the place for you. our glass fronted restaurant allows you to They offer full bar facilities and table side betting making them enjoy trackside racing, as you sample the ideal for Corporate or Family events. fine food and wine. Our dedicated tote and bar staff come direct to your table so there Your Suite Package includes: is no need to leave the comfort of your seat • Admission to the stadium until the night is over! • Race Programme • A private suite for your group Your Restaurant package includes: • Dinner in the suite • Admission to the stadium • Private Bar & Tote Betting service Packages • Race Programme • Dinner in our Restaurant • Tote Betting & Drinks Service to your table General Admission Our General Admission package includes a race programme and allows you to get trackside to watch the racing action, or soak up the atmosphere in our groundfloor bar & outdoor stand areas. SAMPLE MENUS Sample Restaurant DINNER MENU Sample Suite Buffet MENU TO Start MAIN Course Options FRESH HOMEMADE SOUP OF THE DAY Please choose 2 Main Course Options in Advance Served with a selection of homemade breads BLACK PUDDING & POACHED EGG SALAD IRISH MINUTE STEAK Warmed Tournafula black pudding, fresh garden leaves, crispy bacon Served with shallot and morel sauce and topped with a fresh organic poached hens egg and finished with CLASSIC BEEF STROGANOFF a cider butter sauce Strips of Beef served in a brandy cream and smoked paprika WARM SALAD OF ST TOLA GOAT’S CHEESE sauce Smooth & creamy goats cheese wrapped with serrano ham, set on a sweet red pepper compote and finished with a rocket pesto SUPREME OF IRISH CHICKEN POTTED CRAB & APPLE SALAD Roasted supreme of chicken stuffed with chorizo, cannellini Potted Castletownbere crab with gala apple, a toasted mini brioche beans and sun dried tomato, finished smoked paprika and accompanied by celeriac and apple rémoulade basil PEPPERED FILLET OF MACKEREL Delicious peppered mackerel fillets set on a tian of spring onion ESCALOPE OF FRESH SALMON AND COD potato salad accompanied by marinated French beans, pickled Succulent escalope of salmon & cod stuffed with baby cucumber & honey and grain mustard dressing spinach, on a bed of buttered leek with a delicate shrimp bisque MAIN Course STIR FRIED CHICKEN GRILLED PRIME 10OZ IRISH SIRLOIN STEAK Set on champ potato, accompanied by a cracked black pepper & Served with green pepper and black bean sauce brandy sauce VEGETARIAN DISH OF THE DAY SUPREME OF IRISH CHICKEN Our Chefs use the finest ingredients to produce a range of Roasted supreme of chicken stuffed with chorizo, cannellini beans and vegetarian dishes. sun dried tomato, placed on parmentier potatoes, finished smoked paprika and basil cream FILLET OF PORK Served with Buttered Baby Potatoes or Rice & a Selection of Baked fillet of pork with a streaky bacon crust served with buttered Seasonal Vegetables savoy cabbage and green pepper corn sauce ROAST CRISPY DUCKLING With sauteed bok choy and mangetout topped with a ginger and pear TO FINISH sauce Please choose 2 Dessert Options in Advance SLOW BRAISED WICKLOW LAMB SHANK BAILEYS CHEESECAKE Set on a bed of minted mash potato, with a quenelle of turnip and Served with Fresh Cream finished with a rosemary jus ROISIN’S STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING ESCALOPE OF FRESH SALMON AND COD Smothered in delicious butterscotch sauce and accompanied Succulent escalope of salmon & cod stuffed with baby spinach, on a Sample Menu bed of buttered leek with a delicate shrimp bisque by fresh cream CHOCOLATE & ORANGE DELICE TO FINISH Served with a mango coulis and fresh cream BUTTERMILK & LIME PANACOTTA Served with a slice of fresh lime and a biscuit crumb CHOCOLATE & ORANGE DELICE Followed by Freshly Brewed Tea or Coffee A layered chocolate and orange slice with a blood orange sorbet and wafer roll FRESHLY POTTED APPLE CRUMBLE With a hint of cinnamon accompanied by warm custard ROISIN’S STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING Smothered in delicious butterscotch sauce and accompanied by fresh cream SELECTION OF IRISH FARMHOUSE CHEESE’S Brie, red cheddar and Cashel blue served with homemade Prices Prices Enhance your Visit Tipster Service Tote Betting & Tote Sponsorship A Tipster is a person who can furnish Vouchers Why not sponsor a race to make your guests with their vast knowledge of night extra special? greyhound racing and provide tips on For our restaurant & suite guests, our which dog will hopefully fly across the well informed tote staff will take bets • A Race named after your company at their tables. finish line first. on the night of your event. Treat your guests to a winning chance • A Trophy for a company represent- by adding on a couple of bets for ative to present to the winning Drink Service to them to enjoy a flutter. owner/trainer after your race. The race card contains information on • Personalised presentation jacket your table Tote wagering and leaflets are avail- with your company’s logo for the able which provide a full explanation. winning greyhound. We offer full bar facilities at all our All that’s left to do is pick a winner! • Your company logo displayed on stadiums. Your guests comfort is key all the screens throughout the for an enjoyable night out – so while stadium after each race on the dining in our Grandstand Restaurants night of your event. or Hospitality Suites they will enjoy bar service direct to their table. Wine Our Management Team have worked hard to select a balanced wine list in terms of geography, styles & grape varieties. Enhance your Visit Irish Retired Greyhound Trust The Irish Greyhound Board encourages responsible greyhound ownership at all times. Greyhound Welfare is concerned with the wellbeing of the dogs.