The Kildare Derby Festival is back for another year, and will be celebrating its 41st from June 21st to 30th, 2019 in Kildare Town.
In celebration of the major €75 million investment into the Curragh Racecourse, this years Kildare Derby Festival is also undergoing some changes. The festival has gathered an extensive committee of business, cultural and community leaders to create a unique programme of events. Working closely with Kildare County Council and the Chamber of Commerce, stakeholders are planning the 41st anniversary festival to be a sensational week of events ensuring young and old will be entertained.
The new Derby Festival Committee has a unified purpose to bring the community and businesses of Kildare together to create a truly unique seven-day spectacle to celebrate Ireland’s great horse race in Ireland’s greatest horse racing town.
Be sure not to miss the many events happening in Kildare town from Friday June 21st until Sunday June 30th. Check out the programme of events below.
Friday 21st June
Kildare Derby Festival Rose Competition
The Kildare Derby Festival Rose competition is the first stepping stone for Kildare girls on the way to the Rose of Tralee. The winner will go on to be automatically entered into the Kildare Rose of
Tralee. Newstalk presenter Susan Keogh will MC this event and joined by a panel of judges including RTE’s Fair City actor Jenny Dixon as one lucky winner will be selected.
Date: Friday 21st June
Time: 8pm
Location: Studio One, Silken Thomas, Kildare Town
Admission: €10, available on the door
Sunday 23rd June
Curragh Community Ramble
This historic walk across St. Brigid’s pastures commences in Kildare town at the Heritage Centre and heads out towards the Curragh passing the famous Melitta Lodge as well as the training
establishment of Johnny Murtagh, rider of multiple classic winners. Learn about the Curragh’s racing history as you make your way towards the Curragh Racecourse. The walk ends where the Curragh Standhouse once stood. This symbolic walk will also mark the end of the Junefest festivities and the start of the Kildare Derby Festival.
Date: Sunday June 23rd
Time: 10am
Location: Kildare Town Heritage Centre
Admission: FREE
Carnival of Circus with Circus Gerbola & more
On Sunday June 23rd Kildare town square will turn into an outdoor circus as we welcome the talented artists from Circus Gerbola to perform two open air shows in the town centre.
Local stage school Vicky Barry Performing Arts will perform an opening dance set in the circus ring along with an interval performance from the Lisa Rooney Irish Dance School during the first show at 2pm. The second show at 3:30pm will be opened by Leah Moran’s Performing Arts School.
Show times are 2pm and 3:30pm. Reserved tiered seating is available at a nominal fee of €2 per seat and is bookable online here through Eventbrite. Tickets are also available through Kildare Town Heritage Centre.
Date: Sunday 23rd June
Time: 1:30pm-5pm
Location: Market Square, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE
Monday 24th June
School Art Competition Final
The final of the School Art Competition to be held in Kildare House Hotel from 8pm. Schools from all surrounding areas are participating in the competition and entries are displayed in various locations around Kildare Town.
Date: Monday June 24th
Time: 8pm
Location: Kildare House Hotel
Admission: FREE
Photographic and Art Exhibition Aras Bhride
A week long exhibition of artwork and photography from local artists and photographers.
Dates: Monday June 24th-Friday June 28th
Time: 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm
Location: Aras Bhride, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE
Tuesday 25th June
Mae Leonard and Friends Kildare Miscellany
Mae Leonard, an Irish poet, writer and broadcaster is hosting a miscellany night at Kildare Town Library.
Date: Tuesday 25th June
Time: 9.30am
Location: Kildare Town Library
Admission: FREE
Meet the Legends Night
Spend an evening in the company of Irish racing legends: John Oxx, Johnny Murtagh, Dermot Weld and Christy Roche. MC Dessie Scahill – a legend in his own right – will relive the various successes of our legends in past Irish Derbies. This night is a must for racing enthusiasts old and new so don’t miss this rare opportunity to meet some of Irish racing’s best known legends and champions. Tickets are €10 and a contribution from the funds raised will be donated to two charities; The Injured Jockeys Fund and Trainers Benevolent Fund. Details of ticket selling points will be available shortly.
Dates: Tuesday 25th June
Time: 7:30pm
Location: Studio One, Silken Thomas, Kildare Town
Admission: €10
Photographic and Art Exhibition Aras Bhride
A week long exhibition of artwork and photography from local artists and photographers.
Dates: Monday June 24th-Friday June 28th
Time: 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm
Location: Aras Bhride, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE
Wednesday 26th June
Curragh Racing Memorabilia Exhibition in the Courthouse
An exclusive opportunity to view rarely seen memorabilia of great trainers, owners, jockeys and
racing families from The Curragh. Racing colours, video footage, racecards, saddles and much more will be available to view at this exhibition. R.A.C.E will also be in attendance showcasing their
education programme for apprentice jockeys. A farrier exhibition will take place on selected dates
where visitors can see the highly skilled art of shoeing.
Dates: Wednesday 26th – Sunday 30th June
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm & 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Venue: The Courthouse, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE
Photographic and Art Exhibition Aras Bhride
A week long exhibition of artwork and photography from local artists and photographers.
Dates: Monday June 24th-Friday June 28th
Time: 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm
Location: Aras Bhride, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE
Street Striker Derby
Join us for this competition of ball skills where children throughout the county will display their skills
in this Street Striker Derby. The overall champion will be awarded the opportunity to be the mascot
and lead the Irish football team during an International. There will also be family friendly
entertainment on the Square.
Date: Wednesday 26th June
Time: 7pm
Location: Market Square, Kildare
Admission: FREE
Thursday 27th June
Craft Fair
Aras Bhride are hosting a Craft Fair from 10am until 3.30pm. There will be crafts and gifts produced from local artisans on display and available to purchase.
Date: Thursday June 27th
Time: 10am until 3:30pm
Location: Aras Bhride
Admission: FREE
Racing at the Curragh 1st Race 5.45pm
Photographic and Art Exhibition Aras Bhride
A week long exhibition of artwork and photography from local artists and photographers.
Dates: Monday June 24th-Friday June 28th
Time: 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm
Location: Aras Bhride, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE
Live Music in local bars in Kildare Town
Curragh Racing Memorabilia Exhibition in the Courthouse
An exclusive opportunity to view rarely seen memorabilia of great trainers, owners, jockeys and
racing families from The Curragh. Racing colours, video footage, racecards, saddles and much more will be available to view at this exhibition. R.A.C.E will also be in attendance showcasing their
education programme for apprentice jockeys. A farrier exhibition will take place on selected dates
where visitors can see the highly skilled art of shoeing.
Dates: Wednesday 26th – Sunday 30th June
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm & 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Venue: The Courthouse, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE
Friday 28th June
Racing at Curragh 1st Race 3.15pm
Live Music in local bars in Kildare Town
Evening Concert in St Brigid’s Cathedral with Brian Kennedy
Irish singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy will perform an acoustic set in the stunning St Brigid’s
Cathedral. This is a ticketed event.
Date: Friday 28th June
Time: Doors open at 8:00pm. Show commences at 8:30pm
Location: St. Brigid’s Cathedral, Kildare Town
Admission: €25 plus booking fee is bookable online here through Eventbrite. Tickets are also available through Kildare Town Heritage Centre.
Photographic and Art Exhibition Aras Bhride
A week long exhibition of artwork and photography from local artists and photographers.
Dates: Monday June 24th-Friday June 28th
Time: 10am-1pm & 2pm-4pm
Location: Aras Bhride, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE
Curragh Racing Memorabilia Exhibition in the Courthouse
An exclusive opportunity to view rarely seen memorabilia of great trainers, owners, jockeys and
racing families from The Curragh. Racing colours, video footage, racecards, saddles and much more will be available to view at this exhibition. R.A.C.E will also be in attendance showcasing their
education programme for apprentice jockeys. A farrier exhibition will take place on selected dates
where visitors can see the highly skilled art of shoeing.
Dates: Wednesday 26th – Sunday 30th June
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm & 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Venue: The Courthouse, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE
Saturday 29th June
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day, 1st Race 1.45pm
The Paddy Power Irish Derby Lip Sync Battle 7.30pm
You have heard of Lip Sync but you have never heard of the Paddy Power Irish Derby Lip Sync Battle. After the Irish Derby racing, Kildare town will be the place to be to witness some of racing’s legend’s take to the stage and battle it out. Who will be the Paddy Power Irish Derby Lip Sync Champion? Place your bets!
Dates: Saturday 28th June
Time: 7:30pm
Location: The Market Square, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE
Live Music in local bars in Kildare Town
Curragh Racing Memorabilia Exhibition in the Courthouse
An exclusive opportunity to view rarely seen memorabilia of great trainers, owners, jockeys and
racing families from The Curragh. Racing colours, video footage, racecards, saddles and much more will be available to view at this exhibition. R.A.C.E will also be in attendance showcasing their
education programme for apprentice jockeys. A farrier exhibition will take place on selected dates
where visitors can see the highly skilled art of shoeing.
Dates: Wednesday 26th – Sunday 30th June
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm & 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Venue: The Courthouse, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE
Sunday 30th June
Inaugural Irish Derby Legends Walk
The Irish Derby Legends Walk will take place on Sunday 30th June from the Irish National Stud at
2pm. The Walkers will take in the Irish Derby “trip” of 12 furlongs from the stud, through the Kildare
Village and finish in town with a fete at the Square to celebrate the culmination of the Derby
Festival.
Dates: Sunday 30th June
Time: 2pm
Location: Irish National Stud
Admission: FREE
Family Day on the Square
Come and celebrate the culmination of the Kildare Derby Festival with a Family Fete on the Market
Square. Entertainment and fun will abound for Adults and Children alike.
Dates: Sunday 30th June
Time: 2:30pm
Location: The Square Kildare
Admission: FREE* Please note there will be some activities that there will be a charge.
Bessie Byrne Charity Walk
The Annual Bessie Byrne Charity Walk will be taking place alongside the Derby Legends Walk.
Starting from The Irish National Stud starting from 2pm.
Live Music in local bars in Kildare Town
Curragh Racing Memorabilia Exhibition in the Courthouse
An exclusive opportunity to view rarely seen memorabilia of great trainers, owners, jockeys and
racing families from The Curragh. Racing colours, video footage, racecards, saddles and much more will be available to view at this exhibition. R.A.C.E will also be in attendance showcasing their
education programme for apprentice jockeys. A farrier exhibition will take place on selected dates
where visitors can see the highly skilled art of shoeing.
Dates: Wednesday 26th – Sunday 30th June
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm & 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Venue: The Courthouse, Kildare Town
Admission: FREE