Punchestown Festival

At Punchestown Racecourse

The 2025 Punchestown Festival will be held at Punchestown Racecourse in County Kildare from Tuesday, April 29th, to Saturday, May 3rd.

As the grand finale of Ireland's jump racing season, the festival offers another chance for top competitors from Cheltenham, Fairyhouse, and Aintree to go head-to-head. Attendees can look forward to an electrifying atmosphere, exhilarating jumps racing, delicious food, stylish fashion, and a vibrant post-racing scene in the surrounding towns.

Racegoers can enjoy access to the paddock, saddling area, grandstand, trackside lawns, and a variety of bars and food outlets, bringing them close to all the action. There are also numerous options to enhance your experience with upgrades.

Explore everything the Punchestown Festival has to offer and enjoy an unforgettable day out!

TUESDAY 29th APRIL

The opening day of the Festival is one for the real racing fans with three brilliant Grade 1 contests featuring the William Hill Champion Chase. Festivities get underway throughout the enclosure with live music, great food and wonderful style.

WEDNESDAY 30th April

Taking centre stage on day two is the prestigious Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup. The festivities continue with live music, fashion and the brilliant atmosphere spills out from the bars and eateries around the enclosure.

THURSDAY 1st MAY

On day three it's all about stamina in the feature Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle. Plus you don't want to miss the La Touche cross country race - it never fails to deliver a thrilling finish. The social side of the festival steps up a gear on Thursday as the party atmosphere builds.

FRIDAY 2nd MAY

Friday is widely considered to be the social highlight of the Festival. On the track current, past and potential champion hurdlers meet in the Paddy Power feature while the Bollinger Best Dressed event takes place in the champagne garden.

SATURDAY 3rd MAY

Saturday is the ultimate wrap party with people travelling from all over Ireland and beyond to celebrate the achievements of Irish jump racing as the season champions are crowned. There's also plenty of entertainment for young racing fans in the Junior Jockey Club Fun Zone.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

There is a shuttle service from Poplar Square and Ulster Bank South Main Street in Naas each day and from Dublin City Centre. For more information click here.

Taxis can drop and collect fares directly at the main entrance of Punchestown Racecourse, plus there is ample parking on site.

Punchestown Bollinger Best Dressed Details Announced

 

 

 


 
 Punchestown Announce
'Something Old/Something New'
Bollinger Best Dressed Details 
 
 
The Bollinger Best Dressed Competition Returns for 2025 Punchestown Festival
 
Emphasis on sustainable fashion as Something Old/Something New Theme Announced
 
Introducing Guest Judges Aoife McNamara and Isabel Gleeson
 
An Exclusive Trip to the Bollinger Estate & Paris Awaits the Winner

 

2024 Bollinger Best Dressed winner Ciara Toolen (second from left) won on Festival Tuesday  before going on to claim the Friday final and a trip of a lifetime to the home of Bollinger.  

 

Media Release Wednesday 2nd April – The prestigious Bollinger Best Dressed competition returns to the Punchestown Festival at the end of April with some fresh new faces and a forward-thinking theme: "Something Old/ Something New" in recognition of the iconic champagne house recently achieved B Corp status.


 Emphasizing sustainable fashion focusing on style and sophistication, the competition invites racegoers to showcase their ‘consciously curated’ ensembles for a chance to win an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime trip to the iconic Bollinger Estate in France's stunning Champagne region with 5* Paris hotel and Michelin dining experience, flights and more.
 
The competition will take place over the first four days of the 2025 Punchestown Festival with daily finalists chosen from Tuesday 29th April to the culmination on Ladies Day, Friday, 2nd May. The style action will unfold in the elegant Bollinger Garden Style Quarter, where race goers will be immersed in the glamour, refinement, and timeless prestige synonymous with both Bollinger and the Punchestown Festival.
 
New Style Council Members
In line with the theme of Something Old/Something New, the Bollinger Style Council welcomes back familiar faces alongside new guest judges Aoife McNamara (@aoifemcnamarax) and Isabel Gleeson (@styledbyisabel_). Trailblazer Aoife McNamara, founder of Ireland’s first B Corp fashion brand Aoife Ireland and a leading voice in ethical style shares her perspective: "I’m truly honoured to be part of the Bollinger Best Dressed competition at the Punchestown Festival. Having grown up attending this event, I am excited to see race fashion embraced in a sustainable way”.

   Sustainable Race Day Fashion 
Head Judge Jess Colivet (@jesscolivet) explains how to approach race day style in a sustainable way: "When it comes to the Bollinger Best Dressed, sustainable fashion means putting together your look in a conscious way. Rather than rushing out and buying a whole new outfit, I would always suggest that you start by ‘shopping your own wardrobe’ first. I myself will be reinventing a look based on a piece that I have worn at four Punchestown festivals!
 
Jess continued “Fashion is evolving, people are borrowing pieces from friends, the rental market has exploded and both online and in store pre-loved fashion is the norm among younger generations. Identifying ethical brands and investing in a beautifully made coat, dress or piece that will stand the test of time is always a sustainable fashion choice. Think timeless quality.  Each year the best dressed at Punchestown produces a wonderful story with a hat, bag, dress or even jewellery that has been passed down from generation to generation. That’s sustainable fashion at its best”.
 
Reflecting on the parallels between Bollinger's commitment to sustainability and excellence and the upcoming best dressed competition, Michelle O'Sullivan of Findlater & Co. remarked: "Achieving B Corp certification is a proud milestone for Bollinger, aligning with their dedication to environmental responsibility, craftsmanship, and uncompromising quality. This has inspired the  theme for the 2025 Bollinger Best Dressed at Punchestown. We're looking for creativity, showcasing reinvented pieces and a balance of timeless elegance — an aesthetic that echoes the exceptional quality and heritage of Bollinger."

 

Returning for 2025 are Style Council Members Roxanne Parker, Lawson Mpame, David O'Connor, Head Judge Jess Colivet and Kate Nally McCormack  

 

The prestigious Bollinger Best Dressed competition remains a highlight of the Punchestown Festival taking place from Tuesday 29th April to Saturday 3rd May. Event tickets start from €35 with concessions for seniors, students and families (on Saturday 3rd May). For full event details please visit www.punchestown.com  


ENDS
 For media enquiries please contact:
 Shona Dreaper, Punchestown Racecourse,
[email protected] 045 897704
  
 #Ptown25 #BollingerBestDressed #PunchestownFestival