Operated by Irish Greyhound Board Race type greyhound racing | Date opened 2010 | |
Location Greenpark, Dock Road, Limerick, Ireland Coordinates 2°38'57.4"N 8°39'24.4"W | ||
Limerick Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in south-west Limerick in Ireland.
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The stadium has a grandstand restaurant, hospitality suites, fast food facilities and a number of bars. Racing takes place on a Friday and Saturday evening at 7.30pm.
History
In 2009 the old Markets Field Greyhound Stadium just off the Garryowen Road was closed to enable a brand new state of the art greyhound track to replace it. The new site chosen was the former horse racing course at Greenpark and in 2008 the area underwent significant change. Tony McKenna chairman of Limerick Greyhound Stadium and an Irish Greyhound Board director hailed the opening as a benchmark for future developments in greyhound racing.
When the stadium was completed to the tune of €18 million at Greenpark, Dock Road it impressed all within the industry. The official opening night was on 22 October 2010 and the stadium has a capacity attendance of 2,900 including a 190 seat grandstand restaurant called the Leger Restaurant after a major event held at the track. Private hospitality suites and gallery bars were also constructed one of which is named after Markets Field Stadium.
The previously mentioned St Leger which was first held at the old Limerick Stadium in 1940 and is an original classic race was duly switched to the new track and continues to be contested. The Kirby Memorial Stakes is also held here and boasted a record €80,000 to the winner in 2014. It was sponsored by J. P. McManus who had close ties with the old Limerick track.
The track is owned and operated by the Irish Greyhound Board and they have their headquarters on site.