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sport · Wednesday 26 August 2026 · 17:30 
Bellewstown August Race Meeting - Day 2
At Bellewstown Racecourse · Bellewstown, Co. Meath (Drogheda area)
At Bellewstown Racecourse · Bellewstown, Co. Meath (Drogheda area)
Evening racing at Bellewstown is one of those occasions that feels genuinely Irish in a way that is hard to manufacture. The racecourse sits on the Hill of Crockafotha in Co. Meath - a hilltop venue with views stretching north to the Mountains of Mourne and east to the Irish Sea. Day 2 of the August meeting runs on the evening of 26 August, with first race from 5:30pm, bringing both National Hunt and flat cards to one of the oldest racing venues in the country. It suits anyone who enjoys a proper afternoon out - racing fans, families, and people who simply want to spend a summer evening somewhere with a bit of atmosphere and a decent view.
Bellewstown has been staging races since 1726, making it one of Ireland’s longest-running racing venues. It operates as a left-handed oval track of around one mile and one furlong, with an uphill finish that tends to sort the horses out in the closing stages. The August meeting is an evening fixture, so the light is good and the crowds tend to be relaxed. Admission covers a full card of National Hunt and flat races. The enclosure has food and drink on site, and the hill itself has a tradition of picnicking that dates back generations. Fairground rides and street food vendors often accompany the summer meetings, giving it a festival feel alongside the racing. Tickets start from €20 - check the official website for the racecard and to book in advance, as summer evenings here sell out.
Bellewstown village sits just off the M1 motorway between Drogheda and Julianstown, which makes it a straightforward drive from Dublin (around 45 minutes), Drogheda (15 minutes), or Dundalk. Follow signs for Bellewstown from the M1 at Junction 7 or 8. Parking is available on-site at the racecourse. There is no direct bus to the racecourse on race days, so driving or arranging a lift is the practical option for most visitors - though some race day packages from Dublin are sometimes available through operators, so it is worth a check online closer to the date.
The surrounding area is quiet farmland and Boyne Valley countryside, and the hilltop location alone is worth arriving early to take in before the first race. There is more to see in Bellewstown and across Co. Meath.
Heading to Bellewstown Racecourse in Bellewstown? Meath has plenty more to see. Read the Bellewstown area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.