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family · Wednesday 8 July 2026 · Various 
Fairyhouse Dino Day Family Racing
At Fairyhouse Racecourse · Ratoath, Co. Meath
At Fairyhouse Racecourse · Ratoath, Co. Meath
Fairyhouse Racecourse throws open its gates to dinosaur fans and horse racing newcomers alike on Wednesday 8 July 2026, with a themed family race day that makes a genuine case for bringing the whole household along. The Dino Day fixture combines real jump racing on the track with a children’s programme designed to keep younger visitors entertained between races. Children aged 14 and under get in free when accompanied by a paying adult, which makes this one of the more straightforward days out on the Meath summer calendar for families who want something outdoors without a punishing spend at the door.
The racing itself is the main draw - proper competitive jump racing run over a course that has hosted Irish racing for well over a century, including the famous Irish Grand National each Easter. The Dino Day theme adds a layer of entertainment aimed squarely at children, with the dinosaur concept giving the day a playful identity separate from the standard race meeting.
On site, the Fairyhouse Kids Club provides a dedicated indoor space for children, open during the fixture so families have somewhere to retreat if the weather turns or younger ones need a break from the track. A large outdoor playground runs alongside it. Between races there is time to walk the enclosures, pick up food from the stalls, and get a closer look at the horses as they parade before each event. The atmosphere at a midweek summer fixture is generally relaxed compared to the Grand National weekend - smaller crowds, easier to move around, and less overwhelming for children.
Fairyhouse Racecourse sits just off the R125 road outside Ratoath, roughly 30 kilometres north-west of Dublin city centre. By car the drive from Dublin takes around 30 minutes in normal traffic; from Drogheda it is a similar distance heading south and west. Free car parking is available on site. Bus Éireann serves Ratoath from Dublin, and the racecourse typically runs a courtesy shuttle from nearby stations on race days - check fairyhouse.ie for the specific arrangement for this fixture. The road approach to the racecourse is well signed on the day.
Ratoath itself is a lively commuter town with a good range of cafés and pubs, well placed for a meal after the races. The surrounding north Meath countryside is easy, open driving country if you want to extend the afternoon. There is more to see in Ratoath and across Co. Meath.
Heading to Fairyhouse Racecourse in Ratoath? Meath has plenty more to see. Read the Ratoath area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.