Lying just outside Mullingar, County Westmeath – almost slap bang in the centre of Ireland – is one of Ireland’s more highly rated Greyhound Stadiums. First opening for business back in 1932, Mullingar Greyhound Stadium has held an official licence throughout its lifetime and continues to play a prominent role in the domestic calendar.
Staging two meetings a week, taking place on punter-friendly Saturdays and Sundays, the venue boasts all the facilities needed for a cracking trip to the dogs. In addition to an excellent atmosphere and quality racing, punters will find an array of food and drink options, including a fast food facility, a glass-fronted restaurant and three bars.
What’s On Offer at Mullingar?
Meetings take on a Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, with the Saturday fixture being the more popular of the two. Gates open at 6:30pm for the Saturday evening fixture, with the first of 11 races getting underway at 7:50pm, and the last beginning at 10:20pm.
Those attending on a Sunday afternoon will find a 10-race card on offer. Gates open at 1:30 pm with the first commencing at around 3pm, and the hare being set in motion for the last a little before 6pm. The major event of the season is the Irish Greyhound Cesarewitch, which takes place in May each year.
Track Information
- Sprint Distance – 325y – 350y – 400y
- Middle Distances – 525y (standard) – 550y
- Stayers Distance – 600y
- Marathon Distance – 810y
What Can You Expect?
Entry is free to all wishing to attend the Sunday afternoon meetings at the track. Saturday evening fixtures are then priced at €10 for adults and €5 for Students and OAPs, whilst kids go free with a paying adult. General admission entry comes with a free race card and affords access to all areas of the track, barring the restaurant and private suite facilities.
Punters Pack Deal
Parties of six or more attending on a Saturday evening may wish to take advantage of the Punters Pack deal. Priced at €18 per person, this offer includes entry, a racecard, a meal from fast food outlet, and a beer/glass of wine/mineral water.
Sunday Lunch Summer Special
Or why not take a helping of greyhound action with your Sunday Lunch via one of the track’s Sunday Lunch Summer Special packages? Priced at €20.95 for two courses and €22.95 for three courses, this deal includes entry, a race card, a meal, and a reserved table complete with bar and betting table service.
Restaurant Bookings
Restaurant bookings may also be made for the Saturday evening meetings. Available to parties of two or more, bookings are priced at €20 per head; a price which covers a reserved table in the glass-fronted restaurant and bar and betting table service for the evening. All food and drinks are then ordered and paid for on the night, but the track will kindly deduct €20 from the overall bill.
Private Hospitality Suite
At the top end of the pricing ladder comes the track’s private hospitality suite. Providing excellent views of the action, the glass-fronted suite comes with a host for the evening, bar and betting facilities, and a delicious selection of buffet menus. Prices can vary according to the meeting, with the best advice being to contact the track in advance to discuss your requirements.
How to Get There
The stadium address is Mullingar Greyhound Stadium, Ballinderry, Mullingar, NP1 P22Y. Those driving to the course should approach via the N4 or N52 before turning onto the R400. The stadium then lies just to the north of Newbrook Road. Limited parking is available at the track, with roadside parking being permitted in many of the surrounding streets.
The closest train station to the track is that of Mullingar, which lies in the heart of the town centre, only around a ten-minute walk from the Stadium. For those who don’t fancy the stroll, the local bus services of the 22, 23, 70, 115, 151 and 447 all stop only a couple of minutes from the venue.
How to Get in Touch
- Tel: – +353 (0)61 448 080
- Email: – pr@igb.ie
- Twitter: – @Mullingartrack
What Else Do I Need to Know?
First opening on the 16th of August, 1932 under the stewardship of Race Manager, Billy Bligh, the track immediately received an official licence from the Irish Greyhound Board.
Quickly becoming popular with local racegoers, little changed in the first 20 years or so, with both the racing and the racegoer facilities remaining relatively low-key. The first significant alteration came in the mid-1950s when the banking of the sharp bends was greatly improved, creating a far smoother racing circuit.
Change of Hands
Headed into the 1970s and original racing manager Bligh was still calling the shots, overseeing the building of a brand new stand and clubhouse in 1972, creating one of the best greyhound venues outside of Dublin. Bligh then finally called it a day in 1978, handing the reins to Peter Kenny following 46 years of solid service.
Improved Facilities
The improved facilities led to improved on-track action, with the prestigious quartet of the Midland Puppy Stakes, Midland St Leger, Joe Clyne Memorial and Midland Cesarewitch all being added to the schedule.
Mullingar Greyhound Racing Company
Moving closer to the modern era, current owners, the Mullingar Greyhound Racing Company have invested further in facilities, the most notable addition being a 130-seater glass-fronted restaurant providing panoramic views of the track.
2001 then saw the track receive further recognition when, following the closure of Boyne Valley Greyhound Stadium, Mullingar was selected as the new venue for the original Classic race of the Irish Greyhound Cesarewutch. Offering top-class racing action, and excellent facilities, this County Westmeath track is well worth a look.