The Curragh Stud

For a time during the 1960’s American socialite and racehorse owner Liz Whitney Tippett invited friends, including actors Burgess Meredith, Gregory Peck, John Houston, Bing Crosby and others here to the 18th century farmhouse that she had converted for the purpose.

And it is that same sense of privilege that permeates these fat, rustic, stone walls today. This is a home that is no stranger to entertaining.

The home sits on 10 acres on the edge of the Curragh Plains, with a large private garden and tree lined perimeter. The property is part of Johnny Levins’s successful racehorse training operation with a yard and 23 stables, and is surrounded by others in the same game, so this is an excellent start for your race day tips.

With the Curragh Training Grounds situated on our doorstep, the horses benefit from world class facilities, and the best possible training tailored to their needs.

The Training Grounds offer over 70 miles of immaculately-maintained grass gallops in addition to 12 miles of peat gallops and 8 all-weather tracks in total.

Kitchen Appliances
• Aga range with 2 ovens and 2 hotplates
• Electric 4 ring Hob in utility room
• Fridge-freezer, in utility room plus Fridge in Snack Kitchen
• Dishwasher plus 1 in Snack Kitchen
• Microwave plus 1 in Snack Kitchen
• Electric kettle plus 1 in Snack Kitchen
• Toaster

Utility Appliances
• Washing machine in utility room
• Clothes Dryer in utility room
• Iron

Bedrooms
• Sizes – Two Super King-size & four single beds
• Hairdryer
• 2 Trouser presses

Tech & Entertainment
• Wi-Fi Internet
• 4 Flat-screen TVs
• Sky sports
• DVD player & Games console in living room
• Good selection of books
• Table Tennis Table

• Stroll around the Japanese Gardens
• A day out at the Races
• Back a winner at Naas Races
• Lose your shirt at Punchestown
• Dine out at Harte’s
• Hit a birdie at Ireland’s oldest Golf Course

• Luxury Brand discounts in Kildare Village
• TextEnjoy luncheon at Chapter 16
• Spread your wings at Weston Airfield
• Check out the silver in Newbridge
• A Supercar experience at Mondello
• Eat healthy at Ballymore

The cottage is within easy walking distance of Kildare town, where you will find a range of supermarkets, and super restaurants.
But in the immediate locality Horses are the name of the game, whether it be racing or breeding, The Curragh Plain is the principal racehorse training region in the country – more than a quarter of all racehorses trained in Ireland are trained here.

The Curragh Racecourse is Ireland’s Premier Flat Racecourse, hosting all five classic races in the calendar. It is currently undergoing a state-of-the-art €70 million re-development within site. The first recorded race took place here in 1727.

The Curragh Plains consist of about 5,000 acres of open common-land grazing some 50 km south-west of Dublin City, where an army of sheep keep the grass under control and protect its unique environment.

Click here for more information on Ireland’s Ancient East

There is a large and rare area of undisturbed wetland adjacent to The Curragh known as Pollardstown Fen. A zig-zag boardwalk has been built through the marsh which makes for a very pleasant morning jog or evening stroll.

During the World War ll an internment camp was built on the plains to house servicemen of either side who ended up on Irish soil. There were two compounds, ‘G’ camp, for Germans, and ‘B’ camp, for British and Allied servicemen. The first guests were 6 German airmen detained in Kerry. Internees had a fairly easy time of it, eventually being allowed out for two evenings a week.
There is a movie about this period called “The Brylcreem Boys“, which is available on Netflix.
The camp is currently the main training centre for the Irish Army and home to some 2,000 military personnel.

Kildare town has a fine 13th Century Cathedral and round tower. The tower is the 2nd tallest in the country, and one of only two that can still be climbed – inside, a series of long ladders between wooden platforms eventually bring you to the top, and an awesome view.

Today Kildare town is probably best known for its Designer Outlet Retail Village, which attracts thousands of shoppers in search of luxury premium brand bargains.

The Birth of motor racing

Kildare was selected as the venue for the 1903 Gordon Bennett Trophy, the first international motor race to be held in the United Kingdom – motor racing was illegal on British public roads at the time – partly on the grounds that the straightness of the roads would be a safety benefit. As a compliment to Ireland the British team chose to race in green which henceforth was known as British racing green.