Horse Racing, Equestrian & Point-to-Point.

Horse racing and Point-to-Point meetings have been held in Co. Roscommon for at least 100 years. The first race at Roscommon Racecourse was staged in 1837 and organised by the local British Army Garrison. Racing became popular around 1885 and lasted until just before the start of World War 2. After a 12 years lapse racing was revived in 1948 and Roscommon Races continues to attract the crowds today. Hunting also has a long history in Roscommon and like racing it saw some lean years before being revived in 1934. Point-to-Point meetings are now a regular occurrence in the county.

Does anyone have more information on the history of  horseracing and/or hunting in the county? Could they please contact us!

Below is our small collection of material relating to horse racing in Roscommon. We would love to have more information and more examples of ephemera for horseracing in the county. If you have such material - tickets, race cards, posters, booklets etc .. please contact us.

 

Race card for Roscommon Red-Cross Meeting at Lenabane Racecourse on Tuesday 30th. July 1918.

A rare and unusual souvenir, with the stamp of the Royal Irish Constabulary, Athlone Garrison.

The owner has marked the results of each race on the card. The winners were: 1st. Race (Whelan Plate); CARRA LASS, 2nd Race (Lenabane Plate); PRIDE OF MANISTER, 3rd. Race (Stand Plate); A DOUBLE ESCAPE, 4th. Race (Byrne Plate); DISTINGUISHED, 5th. Race (Harrison Plate); SKOOKUM JOE, 6th. Race (Hayden Plate); GERALD L.

Stewards included, Colonel Lord Crofton, T. G. Dillon Esq., Major Goff, John P. Hayden MP, T. A. P. Mapother Esq., V. McDonnell etc.

Printed at the Messenger Works, Roscommon. Price: 1 shilling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roscommon Races - Race Cards for 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, (above),

1983 and 1984 (left).

 

 

We would welcome additional copies of Roscommon Racecourse race cards. Please contact us.

 

Roscommon Races (right) 16th. July 1985, 16 August 1999 and 17th. May 2004. Official Racecards.

 

 

Roscommon Races (left) 9th. June 2008. Official Racecard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roscommon Races 2011.

The Official Card for County Roscommon Hunt Point to Point at Lisbride on 6th. November 2005.

A forty page booklet with advertisements from patrons and lists of runners etc

 

 

We would welcome additional copies of Point-to-Point race cards. Please contact us.

 

Left.: Ireland West Tourism leaflet about the joys of Equestrian sport in the West of Ireland 2008.

 

 

 

If you have any similar material that is surplus to your requirements and would like to give it a good home, then please contact us.

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