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sport · Wednesday 8 July 2026 · 2:00pm 
Naas Racecourse - Summer Racing
At Naas Racecourse · Naas, Co. Kildare
At Naas Racecourse · Naas, Co. Kildare
A summer race day at Naas Racecourse is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a July afternoon in Kildare. The course runs a mix of flat and National Hunt racing through the warmer months, drawing competitive fields and a crowd that ranges from seasoned punters to families out for the occasion. If you have never been to a race meeting before, Naas is a good first choice - the ground is compact, the parade ring is easy to reach, and the atmosphere stays relaxed without feeling thin.
Race days at Naas typically open with an eight-race card, with the first off around mid-afternoon and the last race finishing by early evening. July meetings lean toward flat racing, which means quicker races over distances from five furlongs up to a mile and two, and the horses carry real quality - Naas regularly hosts Listed and Group-level contests. The left-handed track has an uphill finish that rewards stamina, so you will often see the shape of a race change in the final furlong.
Since 2018 the racecourse has put over €3 million into its facilities. The Circle - a cylindrical building beside the parade ring - gives you a clear view of the horses before each race and is open to all general admission racegoers. There are bars, a self-service restaurant and a café throughout the site. Summer meetings bring a relaxed, outdoor feel; bring layers in case the evening cools once racing finishes.
Entry for under-16s is free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Naas sits just off the M7 motorway, about 30 km south-west of Dublin city centre. By car it is roughly 35 to 40 minutes from the M50 in light traffic; follow signs for Naas town and then Tipper Road for the racecourse. Free car parking is provided on all race days on a first-come, first-served basis - arriving an hour before the first race is sensible.
If you are coming by train, Irish Rail runs services from Heuston Station to Sallins and Naas station. The racecourse operates a shuttle bus from Sallins Train Station to the track before racing and back afterwards on weekend race days, which takes the guesswork out of the final stretch.
Naas town centre is a five-minute drive from the racecourse and has a good range of cafes and pubs for a pre-race lunch or a post-race drink. The town sits in Kildare, surrounded by stud farms and the flat green countryside that makes this county synonymous with Irish thoroughbred racing. There is more to see in Naas and across Co. Kildare.
Heading to Naas Racecourse in Naas? Kildare has plenty more to see. Read the Naas area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.