With 39 races including 12 Grade 1 contests and a total prize pot of over €3.2m, the Punchestown Festival is a highlight of the Irish racing calendar, attracting up to 130,000 attendees each year.

But – as anybody in the know will tell you – the action on the track is equally matched off it, thanks to a winning combination of music, food, style, shopping and most of all, fun, creating a true “festival” atmosphere.

This year’s Punchestown Festival runs from Tuesday 30 April to Saturday 4 May, but while we don’t have any race tips just yet, you won’t go wrong with this handy guide; whether you’re looking to dress to impress or enjoy a fun day out with all the family.

License to thrill with Bollinger Best Dressed competition

An exclusive invite to a James Bond film screening in Paris, plus a “money can’t buy” trip to the Bollinger Estate in France are just some of the prizes waiting for the winner of this year’s Best Dressed Lady at Punchestown.

The search for the Bollinger Best Dressed Lady will be held over the first four days of the Punchestown Festival, while judges and style scouts will be tasked with finding the most stylish ladies in attendance and selecting a number of finalists each day. The daily winner will then progress to the grand final on Ladies Day, Friday 3 May.

The winner of this year’s Bollinger Best Dressed Lady award at the Punchestown Festival will partake in an elite mission, by attending an exclusive invitational screening of the highly anticipated 25th James Bond movie in Paris in April 2020, as Bollinger is the champagne of choice for the world’s most famous spy.

Ladies will be directed to the ‘Style Quarter’ of Festival 2019 situated at the Bollinger Lounge in the Reserved Enclosure. Judging will proceed from 1pm daily, so it’s important to be there early in order to make those vital first impressions.

The winner of this year’s Bollinger Best Dressed Lady award at the Punchestown Festival will partake in an elite mission, by attending an exclusive invitational screening of the highly anticipated 25th James Bond movie in Paris in April 2020, as Bollinger is the champagne of choice for the world’s most famous spy.

In addition, the lucky lady and a friend will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Bollinger Estate and Champagne Libraries in France.

The search for the Bollinger Best Dressed Lady will be held over the first four days of the Punchestown Festival, while judges and style scouts will be tasked with finding the most stylish ladies in attendance and selecting a number of finalists each day.

This trip includes an overnight stay in the beautiful historic town of Reims – the capital of the champagne region – Michelin dining and a luxury overnight stay in Paris. Of course, a private chauffeur, champagne lunch experience and a year’s supply of Bollinger Champagne are a given!

Shop till you drop

If you can tear yourself away from the excitement on the race track, indulge in a little retail therapy by taking a stroll down Osprey Avenue, where 30 different exhibitors will be showing the best of Irish design, art, jewellery, millinery and clothing.

Dance – or sing – the night away

Here’s one tip that is guaranteed to pay off: bring your dancing shoes! Music is a key part of the Punchestown Festival experience and most bars and restaurants will round off an evening of racing with a live music session.

An exclusive invite to a James Bond film screening in Paris, plus a “money can’t buy” trip to the Bollinger Estate in France are just some of the prizes waiting for the winner of this year’s Best Dressed Lady at Punchestown.

From one-man bands, two-piece chart covers, modern trad, DJs spinning floor fillers, the Ballymore Orchestra and a singalong in the Sky Bar that is now a tradition, there is something to suit everyone’s musical taste and abilities!

Fun for all the family

The Punchestown AES Bord Na Mona Festival Family Day on Saturday 4 May has a very special appeal.

All children 14 years and under go racing for free when accompanied by an adult.

With 39 races including 12 Grade 1 contests and a total prize pot of over €3.2 million, the Punchestown Festival is a highlight of the Irish racing calendar, attracting up to 130,000 attendees each year.

The Punchestown Junior Jockey Fun club is a massive 60,000 sqft area dedicated to free children’s entertainment. There will be bouncy castles, face painters, pony rides, live entertainment and lots more in store.

On arrival at Punchestown, families will be greeted by live street theatre with jugglers, stilt walkers, clowns and balloon artists mingling through the crowd. Live music and stage displays from local stage schools will take place on the main stage before racing.

Mix sport with socialising

Mix sport with socialising at Punchestown, where there are 14 different bar venues with their own unique style, from the Loft Bar, Archive Bar or Budweiser Sports Lounge on the first floor of the Grand Stand with brilliant views of the parade ring, general enclosure and just steps away from the viewing terrace, to the Bollinger Lounge, famous Sky Bar and Festival Bar on the Hunt Stand, just metres from the track.

This year’s Punchestown Festival runs from Tuesday 30 April to Saturday 4 May

There’s no danger of going hungry at Punchestown either, with choices including The Feedroom Café (our sources recommend Philip’s famous chicken curry), the Hay Café on the ground floor of the Grand Stand and the Foxes Den in the Hunt Stand, along with over 30 food concessions offering all your favourites.

There’s no danger of going hungry at Punchestown either, with choices ranging from hospitality packages to over 30 food concessions offering all your favourite foods.

That's the ticket!

The Punchestown Festival has a ticket or package to suit everyone, regardless of your budget or occasion.

General admission from €30pp – this includes access to the general enclosure, parade ring, grandstand, shopping on Osprey Avenue and the newly refurbished bars and cafés.

Reserved enclosure from €40pp – This ticket, like general admission, gives access to the general enclosure, parade ring, newly refurbished grandstand bars, cafés and terraces topped off with shopping on Osprey Avenue. You also get access to the “social hub” of Festival 2019, which includes the stylish new Hunt Stand. Hugely popular with race-goers, it includes a beautiful new Bollinger Lounge, buzzing Festival Bar and the famous Punchestown Sky Bar.

Teen scene, student and senior tickets – The Punchestown Festival is an event for all ages, with concessions to young adults, students and seniors. Children 14 years old and under race for free. Teens aged 15-17 years old can avail of “Teen Scene” prices starting from €17pp. Students and seniors can avail of tickets from just €20 also. Garda age card and student ID will be required. These tickets can only be purchased on the day.

Party pack from €30pp – Tailored for groups of 10 people or more, the party pack is considered an ideal starter kit for a memorable day at the races. Party Pack tickets start from just €30pp, saving up to €13 per ticket. The festival party pack includes: admission, racecard, €5 matched bet and a €5 beverage voucher. You can also supersize your party pack for €10 each day to gain reserved enclosure level access.

Dinner in town from €129pp – Witness the thrilling sporting action, savour delicious seasonal dishes, drink in some of the best views in sport, impress clients or share the experience with family and friends, by dining in style at the 2019 Punchestown Festival from just €129pp. Contact the hospitality team today to secure your seat by calling 045-897704.

The Punchestown AES Festival Family Day on Saturday 4 May has a very special appeal. \ Patrick Browne

Top tips

  • Whilst the competition is red hot, the evenings can be a bit chilly! Please bring a coat.
  • There is a cloakroom in operation adjacent to the horse walk daily.
  • Avoid the ATM queues and get cash in advance. Cards are accepted in most bars, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
  • Blessed with a baby face? Make sure to bring ID with you on the day.
  • Last but not least…remember your tickets and if you need to add more click here.
  • Getting there

    Driving to Punchestown? There is plenty of free parking at Punchestown Festival 2019. There is also a Drop & Collect zone on each day A shuttle service is available during festival week from just €5pp from the following pick up points;

  • Poplar Square
  • Naas Post Office
  • Sallins Train Station
  • Marathon Travel will run a return shuttle service from Dublin city centre each day from €20pp. For more travel information, visit punchestown.com/getting-here/