Limerick Greyhound Stadium is a greyhound racing track located in the Dock Road (south-west) area of Limerick, Ireland.
The stadium has a grandstand restaurant, hospitality suites, fast food facilities and a number of bars. Racing takes place on a Thursday (6:30pm) and Saturday (7.30pm).[1]
History
In 2009 the old Markets Field Greyhound Stadium just off the Garryowen Road was closed to enable a new 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.[2]
When the stadium was completed to the tune of €18 million at Greenpark, Dock Road it impressed all within the industry.[3] 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.[4]
The previously mentioned St Leger which was first held at the old Limerick Stadium in 1940 [5] 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.[6]
The track is owned and operated by Greyhound Racing Ireland (formerly the Irish Greyhound Board) and they have their headquarters on site.[7][8]
