Earliest meeting: Tuesday 22nd March 1881
Final meeting: Monday 4th June 1906
The county Clare village of Killaloe, on the River Shannon, is connected to its twin town of Ballina by the Killaloe bridge. It held its inaugural race meeting, organised by Mr Valentine J R Dunbar, on Tuesday 22nd March 1881 generously supported by Railway and Steamship companies. The Waterford and Limerick Railway Company agreed to transport all horses to and from the meeting free of charge, as did the Lower Shannon Steamship Company. The day opened with the Shannon Plate over 2 miles which saw Mr B O’Donnell’s Minerva defeat Matilda II and Molly, while the principal race, the Kincora Cup, was won by Mr J Ryan’s Fashioner. Later in the afternoon the Killaloe Plate was won by Captain Batson’s Catalpa at the expense of Moody. It was regarded as a difficult course for jockeys to ride, but it was second to none for its setting, with a view of Lough Dearg and the Clare hills in the background. Meetings continued intermittently for 25 years before the final card took place on Monday 4th June 1906. |
| This racecourse is covered in Volume 4 of Racecourses Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Ordering details shown below. |
| Local Patrons |
Mayor of Limerick, Captain Twiss, Mr Valentine J R Dunbar |
| Principal Races |
Kincora Cup, Killaloe Plate, Shannon Plate |
Tuesday 22nd March 1881
Kincora Cup over 2 ½ miles
1. Fashioner, 6 year old owned by Mr J Ryan
2. Queen Anne, 4 year old owned by Mr M J Kenny
3. Sir Williams, 6 year old owned by Mr Alexander
Betting: Evens Ned of the Hills, 6/4 Fleetway, 2/1 Fashioner |
| The final meeting took place on Monday 4th June 1906. |
| Course today |
A course set out in fields by Valentine Dunbar on the outskirts of the village. |
| If you have photos, postcards, racecards. badges, newspaper cuttings or book references about the old course, or can provide a photo of how the ground on which the old racecourse stood looks today, then email johnwslusar@gmail.com |
Much of the information about this course has been found using internet research and is in the public domain. However, useful research sources have been:-
London Illustrated News
Racing Illustrated 1895-1899
The Sporting & Dramatic Illustrated
Northern Turf History Volumes 1-4 by J.Fairfax-Blakeborough
The Sporting Magazine
A Long Time Gone by Chris Pitt first published in 1996 ISBN 0 900599 89 8
Racing Calendars which were first published in 1727 |
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ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3
652 pages
774 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0
352 pages
400 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7
180 pages
140 former courses |
ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4
264 pages
235 former courses |
| Copies of the above books are only available by emailing johnwslusar@gmail.com stating your requirements, method of payment (cheque payable to W.Slusar) or Bank transfer, and the address where the book(s) should be sent. |
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