|
History
In March 1999, Limerick Racecourse at Greenpark in Limerick City closed
its doors for the last time after racing there since the late 1880s. A
traditional city track, the transformation of the area around it over
the last decade meant that the Board of Directors realised that the time
for change was now upon them if they were to meet the needs and demands
of their niche within a flourishing industry.
A new site was sought outside the city, to fully realise the potential
and demand of the Munster people in the heart of National Hunt country.
In 1996, Greenmount Stud was purchased after much deliberation. Six kilometres
from the city boundaries near the village of Patrickswell, with the nearly
400 acres of prime greenbelt farmland, Greenmount was a natural choice,
with a panoramic setting at which local point-to-point had been held for
as long as local memory served.
This was to be a bold venture. No racecourse had been built
from new in over fifty years in Ireland; however, the commitment of the
Board and the full support and backing of the Irish Horseracing Authority
meant the dream became a reality.
After nearly four years of planning and development and
£12 million invested, the new Limerick Racecourse opened on 14 October
2001.
|
