Punchestown Festival 2026 Official Guest Partner

Barberstown Castle Hotel

The 4* Barberstown Castle Hotel is one of Ireland's premier 4* Blue Book Hotels. Ideally located in Straffan, just 25 minutes from Dublin Airport and only 25 minutes from Punchestown Racecourse. Barberstown Castle Hotel is a friendly welcoming place to stay, and the very comfortable en suite Classic rooms include all the amenities you need and would expect from a 4* luxury hotel. Our Classic Bedrooms are available as Double - with 1 x King Size Bed, Twin with 2 Separate beds, and upgrades to Deluxe Rooms (slightly larger) and 4 Poster Suites (30% larger with seating areas) may be available at additional cost and on request.

Uniquely the guest rooms at Barberstown Castle are a mix of modern and traditional but all have fabulous comfortable beds and pillows with every amenity you could need. Food is a major factor at Barberstown with many casual and fine dining experiences to enjoy and drinks or afternoon Tea in the Garden Bar is always a treat. Apres racing is great fun in the bar and guest love this place for a less lively break than staying in Naas Town, the social hub of the festival although many bars and restaurants are available there within a short taxi ride from the Hotel.

Race and Stay

Packages Designed Exclusively for You.

Our most popular packages are shown below. To get your fast quote simply select the Package you want, then the Number of Guests you wish to book for and the TOTAL PRICE will be displayed for you. If you would then like to book just click the Green Button and a secure booking form will open where you can fill out your personal and card details. If you do not see a package that suits you please do contact us and we will build a Race and Stay package exclusively for you.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

2 Night Packages

From Only €370 pp

Your Total Price  

The Total price is based on your selections.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

3 Night Packages

From Only €520 pp

Your Total Price  

The Total price is based on your selections.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

4 Night Packages

From Only €670 pp

Your Total Price  

The Total price is based on your selections.

PUNCHESTOWN FESTIVAL

You Need to Know

+ YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHATS INCLUDED

Our Race and Stay Packages include all you need for a great stay for the Punchestown Festival

  • Your choice of stay with breakfast
  • Transport to and from the Races
  • Racecourse Admission Each Day
  • Preview Show Admission
  • All Local Taxes and VAT

The Punchestown Festival takes place between Tuesday 27th April and Saturday 1st May 2027

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

WHEN YOU BOOK

Over 80,000 happy guests have booked with Race and Stay and when you book with us you will be asked to pay a €100 deposit. The balance is due no later that 45 days before your first arrival date. When you book you will be emailed a BOOKING CONFIRMATION which contains all the details of your requested booking.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

AFTER YOU BOOK

Our booking terms are very fair and easy to understand, for both you and us. After you have booked you can email us to change anything, add extras or cancel your booking in full and receive a full refund anytime up until 31 days before you arrive. After that date no refunds are possible.

+ GETTING TO THE HOTEL
Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

FROM DUBLIN AIRPORT

Getting to Barberstown Castle Hotel is easy from Dublin Airport: You can take the airport coach which drops off close by, an Airport Taxi (cost approx €100 each way) or book a Private Airport transfer with one of our transport partners from €130 each way.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

ARRIVING BY CAR

Parking for hotel guests at Barberstown Castle is free but the car park will be very busy for this race meeting. The car park surrounds the hotel on ground level. Driving Directions from anywhere to Barberstown Castle are available here

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

PRIVATE TRANSPORT

Private Transfers are available to and from Dublin Airport with our travel partner, Platinum Driving Services. You can view charges and book online HERE. For Groups of 7 or more guests we can offer Private return coach transport from €250 each way.

+ HOTEL INFORMATION
Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

CHECKING IN

Please go to Hotel reception and check in. If you arrive before check in time (3:30pm) you may not have access to your room. In this case the Hotel will store your luggage for you until your room is ready. The Hotel will be 100% full during this event so please be prepared for a longer check in time than normal.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

OUR GUEST DESK

Our Race and Stay guest desk is located a short distance from Hotel reception. Our staff are based there from early each morning and this is where you will collect your race tickets from each day. We are there to help you have the best time possible. Please check our screens for the latest information.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

YOUR ROOM AND COMFORT

Barberstown Guest rooms are all en-suite are very comfortable and feature signature Beds and Pillows. You'll have plenty of hanging space for your clothes, with in room safe, tea and coffee station, hairdryer, flat screen TV and channels, iron and board, fluffy towels and all you need for your stay.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

EATING AND DRINKING

There are 2 main food options at Barberstown. The Barton Rooms Restaurant, the winner of The Good Food Ireland Hotel Restaurant of the Year 2025, for breakfast, lunch and dinner and The Garden Bar for casual dining. The Bar serves a wide selection of Beers and Spirits and often has entertainment at weekends. Bookings essential for all meals: Call + 353 1 628 8157

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

AMBIANCE

Barberstown Castle has a light and happy atmosphere with many locals enjoying meals and drinks each day. For racegoers to Punchestown who are looking for a great value Country break you'll find it hard to beat Barberstown for value and service. Owned by a racing family Barberstown is a fun and enjoyable place to stay ideally suited to small groups or couples.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

NAAS TOWN

Naas Town is the social hub of the local area with many great local bars, restaurants and entertainment each night, all within a short taxi ride of Barberstown Castle Hotel. A few suggestions are Haydens Bar, McCormacks, and Kavanaghs. All have entertainment at weekends. Tommy Fletchers for an old style Irish Pub experience

+ RACING ITINERARY
Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

Punchestown Festival Races

Punchestown Festival runs from Tuesday 27th April to Saturday 1st May 2027. Racegoers love the first 3 days. Tuesday, for the iconic Punchestown Champion Chase. Wednesday for the Punchestown Gold Cup, the highlight of the week, and Thursday For the Stayers Hurdle. If you are going for more of a party type experience then Friday and Saturday are for you. With valuable prizes on offer more UK runners are ever more attending.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

Punchestown - Day 1

 Tuesday 27th April

 Coach Departs 12:30pm

 First Race 14:30pm

 Last Race 18:30pm

  Coach Departs 19:10pm

The first day of the festival includes the Champion Chase and several other Graded Races to enjoy.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

Punchestown - Day 2

 Wednesday 28th April

 Coach Departs 12:30pm

 First Race 14:30pm

 Last Race 18:30pm

  Coach Departs 19:10pm

Today is the highlight of the week, the Punchestown Gold Cup and several other Grade 1 contests.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

Punchestown - Day 3

 Thursday 29th April

 Coach Departs 12:30pm

 First Race 14:30pm

 Last Race 18:30pm

  Coach Departs 19:10pm

Today features the Stayers Hurdle and other valuable races on the card .

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

Punchestown - Day 4

 Friday 30th April

 Coach Departs 13:30pm

 First Race 15:40pm

 Last Race 19:30pm

  Coach Departs 20:10pm

Today features the Irish Champion Hurdle and is also Ladies Day.

Punchestown Festival with Race and Stay

Punchestown - Day 5

 Saturday 1st May

 Coach Departs 12:30pm

 First Race 14:30pm

 Last Race 18:30pm

  Coach Departs 19:10pm

Today is the finale of the festival week with many high class races to enjoy.

+ ABOUT PUNCHESTOWN

Punchestown Racecourse is located close to the vibrant town of Naas in County Kildare. Located only 35 minutes from Dublin Airport and set in a 500 acre plot Punchestown is the home of Irish National Hunt Racing. The Festival is our end of season Championships where Irish Champion Owner, Trainer and Jockeys are crowned.

Racing takes place at Punchestown on 22 days per year and outside of the main festival at the end of April there are several other important races and events that take place. The Premiere Festival (previously the Winter Festival) takes place in mid-November and features the iconic John Durkan Chase and The important Morgiana Hurdle. Both Grade 1 contests. The Premiere weekend is another great option for guests to enjoy and with packages available from only £140pp, great value too.

Punchestown has a great connection with our local community and often makes racing more accessable to all with great discounts or even free entry on selected race days. Racing at Punchestown is always fun, exciting and a very comfortable experience for guests with plenty of space, great viewing, top quality food, drink and service. Not to mention excellent value for money. If you are interested in any other race meeting at Punchestown please do get in touch. Our team will be delighted to help.

+ THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

The Experience

Punchestown Festival is renowned for an electric atmosphere, thrilling, top class, jump racing and a fabulous vibe post racing in Naas Town, the social hub of the festival week. Punchestown is all about the races but plenty of space, Top quality Hospitality, Casual food and plenty of Bars and Toilets on course make it a very comfortable guest experience. Guests have plenty of time after a hearty breakfast to enjoy a visit to The Irish National Stud, a variety of Traners yards or just to chill out before racing begins. We always run special events throughout the week to make your Punchestown Festival stay with us as memorable as it can be.

+ OTHER HOTELS

Check Out

Check out all the Hotels and Packages we offer for the Punchestown Festival here

PUNCHESTOWN HOSPITALITY

AVAILABLE SOON

We have some great complete packages but if you WANT TO ADD Hospitality.

Our 2027 Hospitality Packages will be available after May this year. Enquire NOW

ENQUIRE NOW

80K HAPPY CLIENTS

Testimonials