By Enda McElhinney
Laytown Races is one of Ireland's truly unique sporting events, a treasured day in the calendar annually as the racing public focuses on the stunning strand at the Co Meath village overlooking the Irish Sea.
Laytown Races occupies a unique position in the Irish and British racing calendar, as it is the only race event run on a beach under the Rules of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB).
The Flat racing event takes place once a year, every September, on the Co Meath strand, on a straight, almost level course. Races are confined to six and seven furlong distances.
The majority of racegoers watch the action from an elevated field above the strand which is set up for the day with temporary marquees which act as the weighing room, the jockeys? room, bars and restaurants.
Laytown is a small seaside village on the east coast of Ireland, situated 29 miles north of Dublin city. Getting to Laytown is straightforward, as it is served by the M1 Dublin-Belfast motorway.
By road, take Junction 7 off the M1, (Dublin ? Belfast motorway), follow R132 to Julianstown andtake the R150 to Laytown.
By rail, there are regular train services from Drogheda and Dublin (Connolly Station) to Laytown train station, with increased options on race day. There are shuttle buses on race day from Laytown train station to the course one hour before the first race. Or it is a 10 min walk from the station to the races.
By bus, Matthews Coaches depart from Dublin city centre to Laytown on raceday. Buses leave Dublin every half hour, going direct to the enclosure and the return bus leaves from the enclosure on the half hour.
The D1 and D2 schedule from Bus Eireann departs Drogheda Bus Station by way of Scotch Hall shopping centre stop, every 15 mins and goes directly to the Race Field.
Dublin Airport is just 20 miles north of Laytown and operates regular flights from all major cities in the UK and further afield. Belfast is around 1hr and 30 mins drive north of Laytown and has two major airports, the International Airport and the George Best Airport.
There are lots of free parking options for racegoers attending the Laytown Races, with options at Laytown Train Station, the Roundabout Car Park at Tara Road and the school car park at Scoil Oilibhear Naofa ? all serviced by shuttle buses on raceday.
There are multiple options in Laytown for racegoers, though early booking is essential, and these include the Village Hotel and the Tara Guest House. Nearby Bettystown is but a stroll along the beach away and offers further limited options including Reddans B&B, while the Glenside Hotel is a few kilometres from the race venue.
The towns of Drogheda, Julianstown and Ashbourne are nearby, while Dublin is 29 miles north and easily accessible for racegoers planning to attend the meeting at Laytown.
The Laytown Races takes place this year on Thursday, September 4th.
It's typically a six-race card, ensuring the meeting intertwines with the tides, with all races run over 6f/7f.
