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It wouldn’t be Easter without an action-packed weekend at Fairyhouse and this year’s meeting is set to be another Bank Holiday belter.

The BoyleSports Irish Grand National headlines three days of top-class racing while there is plenty to keep you entertained off the track too.

Here is all you need to know…

What time is racing on?

Saturday’s opener is at 2.10pm, with gates open from 12pm. On Sunday, the action gets underway at 1.22pm, with gates open at 11am – they are open at the same time on Monday, when the first of eight races on the card going to post at 2.05pm.

What are the big races?

It is impossible to look past the BoyleSports Irish Grand National (Monday, 5pm), which is set to bring its usual thrills and spills.

First run in 1870, the race has been won by some of the sport’s most storied names over the years, such as Arkle, Desert Orchid and Bobbyjo.

More recently, I Am Maximus – who went on to win at Aintree the following year – and Intense Raffles have claimed the last two prizes, with Dermot McLoughlin winning in 2021 and 2022 with 150/1 shot Freewheelin Dylan and Lord Lariat respectively.

This year’s odds are headed by Haiti Couleurs, the eight-year-old Cheltenham Festival winner trained in Pembrokeshire by Rebecca Curtis.

Gavin Cromwell’s Now Is The Hour, Willie Mullins’ High Class Hero and Jonjo O’Neill’s Johnnywho – fresh from finishing second in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham – are next up, while Paul Nolan’s Cheltenham Festival winner Daily Present is also among those well fancied. 

Better Days Ahead, who won in Grade 2 company at Navan in February for Gordon Elliott, is top of the weights for a race worth €270,000 to the winner.

There are three Grade 2s across Monday’s Fairyhouse card, with Leopardstown Christmas Festival winner Wendrock among those lining up for the O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle.

Coral Cup winner Jimmy Du Seuil is entered for the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle while stablemate Saint Sam joins the likes of American Mike, Found A Fifty and Journey With Me in the current entries for the Jack McInerney Memorial Fairyhouse Chase.

Sunday’s card has two Grade 1s, the WillowWarm Gold Cup (2.22pm) and Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle (4.10pm).

The field of six in the former includes Champ Kiely, Spindleberry and Ile Atlantique, while Ryanair Mares’ Novices Hurdle winner Air Of Entitlement is entered in the latter alongside stablemate The Big Westerner, with Maughreen and Sixandahalf also set to challenge.

Saturday’s card features the BoyleSports Mares Handicap chase (3.55pm) and the RYBO Handicap Hurdle (5.05pm), which includes Cian Collins' Grand Annual winner Jazzy Matty.

What else is on?

Saturday is Ladies Day, with ‘The Tankardstown House Most Stylish Person’ to be judged by lifestyle influencer & nurse Terrie McEvoy and celebrity photographer Jenny McCarthy.

Prizes include a unique VIP experience at Tankardstown House and a behind-the-scenes tour of Noel Meade’s stables.

The Whistlin’ Donkeys will perform live from 5.30pm-7pm, with Kelly-Anne Byrne DJ playing from 2pm-7pm in the festival marquee beside the parade ring.

Sunday is Family Day, kick-started by a pony race featuring 10 junior members of the Ward Union Hunt & Meath Hunt. 

A magician, puppet show and Junior Einstein’s Live Science shows will also be part of the fun, along with a petting farm and the La Bucca Easter Bonnet Competition.

The Sandmen will be performing from 5.15pm-7.15pm in the marquee.
Monday will feature a chance to see some legends of yesteryear in the Treo Eile parade, with Butler’s Cabin, Shutthefrontdoor, General Principle and Raz De Maree on show.

Reboot DJ’s including Fionn Curran, DATSKO & Camrin Watsin will be in place from 11am-8.30pm in the final fence marquee.

How do I buy tickets?

To find out more and purchase tickets for the Fairyhouse Easter Festival, click here.