New Year's Eve Countdown with Tote at Punchestown

What to expect

Punchestown closes out the year with the New Year’s Eve Countdown with Tote, a free admission raceday on Thursday 31 December that has become one of the county’s more popular ways to spend the last afternoon of the year before heading on to evening plans. Admission to racing is free throughout, sponsored by Tote Ireland, with the first race due off around 12.45pm and a full jump racing card running through the afternoon, subject to the usual change depending on ground conditions. Because there is no entry charge, the meeting tends to draw a wider crowd than a typical midweek fixture, including families and groups who might not otherwise go racing, alongside regular racegoers looking for a low cost afternoon out. Food and drink outlets operate as normal across the enclosures, so while getting in is free, catering and bar spending is on top. The date makes it a natural pairing with New Year’s Eve plans in Naas or further afield in Kildare, with racing wrapped up well before evening celebrations begin elsewhere. As with all Punchestown fixtures, exact race times and any last minute changes are published on the racecourse’s own website and social media on the day itself, and it is worth checking before travelling given how weather dependent December jump racing can be.

Getting there

Punchestown Racecourse is just outside Naas, off the R411 or directly from the N7, around 40 minutes from Dublin city centre by car. Free parking is available on site and sign posted from the main entrance, though a free meeting on New Year’s Eve tends to be busy, so allowing extra time is worthwhile. Naas is served by Bus Eireann routes from Dublin and surrounding towns, with taxis available from the town centre for the short journey to the racecourse gates.