Listowel Races 2025 Dates – Schedule, Fixtures and Ticket Guide

Listowel Racecourse in County Kerry, Ireland, will host two significant meetings in 2025: the three-day Whit Weekend gathering in late May and early June, followed by the prestigious seven-day Harvest Festival in September. Both events draw thousands of spectators to what has become one of Ireland’s most celebrated racing venues, combining competitive flat and jump racing with a vibrant social atmosphere.

The 2025 fixtures represent a return to the traditional format that has characterised Listowel Races since its founding in 1858. Afternoon racing on turf remains the standard across all meeting days, with the Harvest Festival serving as the centrepiece of the racing calendar at this Kerry venue. Official confirmation from multiple sources, including Horse Racing Ireland and the racecourse itself, establishes the dates for both events.

For those planning attendance, tickets for the September Harvest Festival are already available through the racecourse website, with various options including flexi tickets and hospitality packages. The Whit Weekend in May and June offers a different character, though ticket details for that meeting follow a similar booking pattern.

What Are the Listowel Races 2025 Dates?

Key Insights for 2025

• The Whit Weekend runs from Saturday May 31 through Monday June 2, spanning the Bank Holiday Monday traditionally associated with this meeting
• The Harvest Festival occupies the full week of September 21 to 27, combining flat and jump racing over seven consecutive days
• All 2025 fixtures feature afternoon racing on the turf track, with sessions typically beginning around 2pm
• The McSweeney Brothers Maiden Hurdle highlights the September 24 card, while the Lartigue Hurdle on September 25 offers prize money up to €35,400
• Listowel Races originated in 1858, making 2025 part of a racing tradition spanning nearly 170 years
• Ticket sales for the Harvest Festival are already open, with flexi tickets and seven-day passes available
• The venue sits in Listowel, County Kerry, drawing attendance from across Ireland and internationally

Snapshot Facts

Listowel Races 2025 Schedule and Fixtures

Whit Weekend Meeting

The Whit Weekend meeting opens the Listowel racing year with three consecutive days of action from Saturday May 31 through Monday June 2. This Bank Holiday fixture has become a traditional starting point for the summer racing calendar at the Kerry venue. Each day features afternoon racing on the turf track, consistent with the format maintained throughout the year. The May-June meeting typically attracts strong crowds given the extended weekend format.

Harvest Festival Schedule

September brings the flagship Harvest Festival, a seven-day meeting running from Sunday September 21 through Saturday September 27. This period represents the most intensive racing at Listowel each year, combining flat racing with jump events across the turf course.

The opening three days—September 21, 22, and 23—feature standard afternoon fixtures. Wednesday September 24 introduces the first major handicap of the week with the McSweeney Brothers Maiden Hurdle, a two-mile hurdles contest that traditionally attracts competitive fields.

Thursday September 25 stands out as particularly significant, with the Listowel Races Supporters Club Lartigue Hurdle headlining the card. This Listed Handicap over two miles offers prize money up to €35,400, making it one of the most valuable races of the week. The race requires ground conditions of Good To Yielding.

Friday September 26 continues the pattern of quality afternoon racing before the festival concludes on Saturday September 27. The final day features the Listowel Printing Works Slan Abhaile, a Pro/Am Flat Race over two miles with prizes up to €8,100.

Background on the Listowel Harvest Festival

Origins and Historical Development

Listowel Races traces its origins to 1858, establishing nearly 170 years of continuous racing tradition in North Kerry. The event reached a significant milestone in 2008 when the 150-year anniversary was marked with appropriate celebrations. This longevity positions Listowel among the oldest surviving race meetings in Ireland, with a heritage that predates many of the country’s other major racing venues.

The original meeting structure has evolved considerably over the decades. The modern format centres on two principal events: the Whit Weekend in late May or early June, and the Harvest Festival in September. Each meeting carries its own character—the Whit Weekend traditionally serving as an early-season gathering, while the Harvest Festival has developed into the centrepiece attraction drawing the largest crowds.

The Harvest Festival Today

The Harvest Festival at Listowel has matured into one of Ireland’s premier racing events, distinguished by its combination of competitive sport and social atmosphere. The seven-day format allows for a diverse programme spanning flat racing and jump events, accommodating both thoroughbred flat horses and National Hunt participants. This variety contributes to the festival’s broad appeal among racing enthusiasts and casual spectators alike.

The racecourse has invested in facilities that support both the sporting and social dimensions of the festival. Afternoon racing sessions typically conclude in early evening, allowing attendees to enjoy the North Kerry countryside before and after the competitions. The festival’s reputation for glamour, live music, and quality racing has cemented its position in the Irish sporting and social calendar.

Tickets and Practical Info for Listowel Races 2025

Booking Tickets for the Harvest Festival

Tickets for the 2025 Harvest Festival, running from September 21 to 27, are currently available through the official Listowel Races booking portal. The racecourse offers several ticket options to accommodate different preferences and budgets.

Flexible ticket options allow attendees to select specific days rather than committing to the full festival. This approach suits those with scheduling constraints or visitors preferring to sample the event across selected days rather than the entire week. Seven-day passes provide the most comprehensive access for those planning to attend throughout the festival.

Hospitality and Premium Options

Hospitality packages are available, with options such as Sunday hospitality currently listed on the booking site. These packages typically include reserved seating or access to premium viewing areas alongside food and beverage service. Corporate entertaining and group bookings may be arranged through the racecourse directly for those seeking an elevated experience.

General admission and hospitality arrangements for the Whit Weekend meeting (May 31 – June 2) are expected to follow similar patterns, though the official booking site currently emphasises September festival sales. Visitors to Listowel for the earlier meeting should monitor the racecourse website for specific announcements regarding that period.

A History of Listowel Race Meetings

The history of organized racing at Listowel reflects broader developments in Irish horse racing over nearly two centuries. Racing first came to the town in 1858, establishing Listowel among the venues that shaped the sport in Ireland. The intervening years saw the racecourse develop its facilities while maintaining the core racing programme that attracts competitors and spectators alike.

The 2008 milestone of 150 years brought renewed attention to Listowel Races, coinciding with efforts to modernise the venue’s infrastructure while preserving its traditional character. These improvements have enhanced the spectator experience without compromising the essential qualities that have defined the meeting across generations of attendees.

1. 1858 — First Listowel Race Meeting held, establishing the venue’s place in Irish racing history
2. 2008 — 150th anniversary celebrated, marking over a century and a half of continuous racing
3. 2023 — Harvest Festival ran September 18–25, maintaining the traditional late-September window
4. 2024 — Harvest Festival took place September 17–24, consistent with the established pattern
5. 2025 — Harvest Festival confirmed for September 21–27, with Whit Weekend May 31 – June 2

What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain

About Listowel Racecourse

Listowel Racecourse occupies a prominent position in County Kerry’s sporting landscape, situated in the town of Listowel in the north of the county. The venue attracts visitors from across Ireland who combine attendance at the races with exploration of the surrounding Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way regions. The racecourse itself offers views across the Kerry countryside, with the turf track providing fair but competitive racing conditions.

The combination of location, history, and racing quality has established Listowel as a destination venue. The Harvest Festival in particular draws those seeking a more immersive racing experience than city-based meetings might offer. For visitors to County Kerry during the festival weeks, the racecourse provides accessible afternoon entertainment with the flexibility to combine it with other regional attractions.

Official Sources and References

The Harvest Festival combines flat and jump racing over seven consecutive days, established as one of Ireland’s premier racing events with glamour, music, and top-class racing.

— Horse Racing Ireland, Official Festival Information

Listowel Races began in 1858, marking 150 years in 2008, and hosts a two-day June festival plus the seven-day September Harvest Festival.

— Listowel Races Official Website

The primary sources for 2025 fixture information include the official Listowel Races website, which publishes fixtures, tickets, and event details, and Horse Racing Ireland’s published fixture list, which confirms dates and session types. Race-specific information draws from Racing Post race results and Geegeez UK fixture calendars, which maintain comprehensive Irish racing records.

Summary

The 2025 Listowel Races calendar comprises ten racing days across two distinct meetings: the Whit Weekend from May 31 to June 2, and the Harvest Festival from September 21 to 27. All fixtures feature afternoon racing on turf at Listowel Racecourse in County Kerry. Key races during the Harvest Festival include the McSweeney Brothers Maiden Hurdle, the Lartigue Hurdle offering prizes up to €35,400, and the Slan Abhaile Pro/Am Flat Race. Tickets for the September festival are available now through the official booking portal, with various options including flexi tickets and hospitality packages. Those researching the broader context of Irish sporting events may find the Tralee Woman Body Identification Canal coverage relevant to understanding regional news patterns in Kerry. The venue’s origins date to 1858, establishing nearly 170 years of racing tradition in North Kerry. For those interested in related Irish sporting infrastructure, Ryanair Digital Boarding Passes illustrates how travel technology connects visitors to regional destinations like Kerry.

Frequently Asked Questions