Listowel races ahead with €1m food hall

A €1.3m food hall, bar, and viewing area has opened at Listowel racetrack in advance of the annual Harvest festival which is marking its 158th year this September.

The building is a modern contemporary design, according to a spokeswoman.

“It replaces the Old Snack Bar, and incorporates a modern food hall, called The Old Weir Food Hall on the ground floor, and The Riverside Bar on the upper level with an adjacent viewing area that has magnificent views of the Parade Ring.”

The Old Weir Food Hall is designed to serve people who want to grab a quick bite, but not spend too long eating when they want to be watch and bet on races.

The Riverside Bar will accommodate sponsors, owners and trainers on race-days.

David Fitzmaurice, chairman of Listowel Race Company, Agriculture Minister Michael Creed and Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, cut the ribbon at the end of the opening ceremony to officially declare the new building open. Canon Declan O’Connor then blessed the building.

Built by Monami Construction Ltd, the new building has been part-financed by Horse Racing Ireland through its Racecourse Capital Development Scheme, which provided funding of over €600,000. Construction began in January, and was completed ahead of schedule in mid-July.

• The 158th harvest racing festival will take place from September 11-17.

For more information, visit www.listowelraces.ie