Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium Guide

Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium opened in 2000 as a replacement for the much more storied venue known simply as Cork Greyhound Stadium. We’ll tell you some of the history of the latter track shortly, but sufficed to say the facilities were significantly improved upon when the newer stadium opened at the start of the millennium. Curaheen Park is actually located in the town of Bishopstown in County Cork, whereas the original track was closer to the centre of Cork city itself.

Head along to Curraheen Park and you’ll be in for a right treat. As well as races run over 330, 525, 550, 575 and even 750 yards, you’ll also be able to enjoy a cracking atmosphere thanks to the venue’s bars, eateries and restaurant. There’s plenty of seating if you just want to rock up and watch the racing with a totalisator betting system, meaning you can place wagers easily and securely. The stadium is to the South-West of the city centre, so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of Cork before heading off to see the greyhounds.

Race Days & Times

Not only is Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium one of the newest stadiums in Ireland, it also boasts more choice for when to go and watch the racing than most of the other venues on the Emerald Isle. That said, it’s the end of the week when you’ll be wanting to head along for some greyhound action with the stadium open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The Thursday night option isn’t available all-year around, though, as it starts in April and stops for the winter months.

Whether you decide to head along on a Thursday, a Friday or a Saturday, you’ll be able to get access to the stadium from 6.45pm. You’ll then have just under an hour to familiarise yourself with the venue, get a drink and a bite to eat or decide on which bets you want to place. Racing tends to start at some time between 7.40pm and 8pm, depending on what night it is and what’s going on.

Visiting

• Ticket Prices: Because Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium is an Irish Greyhound Board venue you’ll often find that there are deals on regarding your entrance and dinner at the restaurant or a bite to eat from one of the food stands. If there isn’t, then you’ll have to around €10 for your entrance and a Race Card.
• Getting There: If you’re driving then you’ll find that the stadium is just moments from the N40. It’s not far from Cork City Football Club’s ground, so keep an eye out for signs if all else fails. It’s about a two-hour walk from Cork Kent Train Station, so you might want to jump in a car, as that’ll only take about fifteen-minutes. Bus numbers 40 and 208 stop about five-minutes walk away.
• Parking: If you’re driving, then you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a massive car park where you can leave your vehicle.

History

Greyhound racing has been a feature of life in Cork since 1928. That was when Cork Showgrounds was built to accommodate the sport, but it lasted just seven years before the decision was taken to move closer to the centre of the city. The new track was called Cork Greyhound Stadium and was built near the Wellington Bridge on a site between the Northern bank of the River Lee and Western Road.

The Cork stadium enjoyed some great moments, including the hosting of the Irish Greyhound Derby in 1942. The site was supposed to host it the year before but an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease meant that it wasn’t possible. The Laurels was inaugurated in 1944, going on to become a classic in the Irish greyhound-racing world. By 1969, however, there were question marks over the stadium’s future. Because of that it was bought by the Bord na gCon that year in order to guarantee its future. They didn’t do much to develop the stadium, though, so by the end of the 1980s the facilities weren’t good enough to cope with the continually impressive attendances.

In 1996, the Bord na gCon sold the greyhound stadium and used the funds to buy a site in Curraheen where they’d build a replacement track. It took them four years to get this sorted, however, so the new stadium didn’t open until 2000. It cost €8.5 million to build, but many in the industry believe it was worth the wait. As well as an impressive glass-fronted grandstand, the new stadium also boasts a top-class restaurant and other excellent facilities. The Laurels moved to new track in order to remain in Cork and it still the stadium’s premier competition.