The 2023 Punchestown Festival gets underway tomorrow through Saturday with organisers anticipating an attendance of 110,000 over the five days of racing.
The meeting brings the curtain down on another year of National Hunt racing in which Irish horses and trainers have been at the very top of their game.
A fully subscribed sponsorship portfolio of 50 event partners will deliver an impressive prize fund of over €3.3 million on offer across forty races including twelve grade one contests.
The entries for the flagship races feature equine superstars including major festival players Galopin Des Champs, Energumene, Bravemansgame, and Envoi Allen.
There will be live entertainment, delicious food, amazing style and the racing. Over 17,000 hospitality clients from 795 companies, 158 of which are UK based, will enjoy delicious seasonal menus prepared and served by 60 chefs, 420 catering staff and 280 bar staff.
Catering for this number means large scale and three tonnes of fresh vegetables, over 60 kilos of artisan cheeses and 15,000 portions of petit four desserts and canapes will be enjoyed over the five days.
Throughout the pavilions, bars and enclosures the atmosphere builds with live music, street theatre and DJ sets running alongside the shopping village and full entertainment programme.
As one of Ireland’s largest events the Punchestown Festival is big business bringing a massive boost to the local economy with over €25 million generated through tourism, leisure and associated spending.
However, the event also plays a significant community role working alongside local GAA clubs and charities to generate funds through volunteer schemes and fundraising initiatives.
The Punchestown Kidney Research Charity race, now in its 32nd year, has raised close to €2 million and is joined this year by charities Barretstown, Samaritans, Cara Girls Project and Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.
“The Punchestown Festival is a combination of so many moving parts,” said CEO Conor O’Neill.
“A showcase of Irish sporting excellence, one of the largest corporate events in the country, a huge social occasion, an essential fundraiser and a gathering of 110,000 people of all ages, urban and rural who will share in a memorable experience. People make Punchestown and we look forward to welcoming friends old and new to the home of Irish racing for the last week of April.”
