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sport · Saturday 18 July 2026 · Various 
Tralee Racecourse Summer Festival
At Tralee Racecourse · Tralee Racecourse, Ballybeggan Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry
At Tralee Racecourse · Tralee Racecourse, Ballybeggan Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Horse racing has deep roots in Kerry, and the Tralee Racecourse Summer Festival is one of the county’s most anticipated sporting events of the year. Spread across three days in mid-July, it draws locals and visitors alike for competitive racing on the flat and over jumps, set against the backdrop of a town that takes its sport seriously. Whether you are a seasoned racegoer who studies the form guide or someone looking for a lively day out, the atmosphere at the track is hard to beat.
The festival runs from Saturday 18 July to Monday 20 July 2026, with racing scheduled across all three days. The programme features both flat and national hunt racing, with competitive fields that typically include horses trained across Munster and beyond. Kerry has a long tradition of producing and supporting quality racehorses, and a summer festival like this tends to attract strong entries.
Beyond the racing itself, the grounds have bars and food vendors throughout, and hospitality packages are available for those who want a more comfortable day with a better view of the action. There is a family-friendly enclosure, which makes it a reasonable option for a day out with older children. Parking is available on-site. Each day is a separate ticket, priced from €15 general admission, so you can pick one day or commit to the full three.
Tralee is well connected for a town of its size. By road it sits at the junction of the N21 from Limerick and the N22 from Cork, making it reachable in under two hours from either city. From Dublin the drive is around three and a half hours. Bus Eireann runs regular services to Tralee from Cork, Limerick, and Killarney, and the town has a train station with connections to Dublin Heuston via Mallow. The racecourse is on Ballybeggan Road, close to the town centre - on race days signage tends to go up and local traffic flows toward the venue. On-site parking is available.
Tralee is a good base for the whole peninsula, with the Dingle Way walking route, Blennerville Windmill, and the Kerry County Museum all within easy reach. The town has a solid range of restaurants and traditional pubs, and the Rose of Tralee International Festival later in August means it is well used to putting on a good week. There is more to see in Tralee and across Co. Kerry.
Heading to Tralee Racecourse in Tralee? Kerry has plenty more to see. Read the Tralee area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.