Large crowds will descend on the Curragh Racecourse this weekend for the Irish Derby Festival. Current favourite is Carlton House, The Queen's horse, which runs in the Irish Derby on Sunday.
Running alongside the Irish Derby Festival is The Kildare Derby Festival takes place from 17 to 27 June and is based in Kildare Town.
It was launched in the Japanese Gardens and Irish National Stud last week.
Tribute bands to Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon and AC\DC will perform on the Square, Kildare Town on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 June.
Programme highlights:
Thur 17 June - Festival Queen Selection at the Derby House
Sun 20 June - Festival Parade, Paddy Flanagan Memorial Cycle Race
Mon 21 June to Fri 25 June - Arts Exhibition at Aras Bride
Tue 22 - Hayden Lecture
Thur 24 June - Poetry night and Thorny Rose Competition
Fri 25 June - Kildare’s Got Talent
Sat 26 June to Sun 27 June - Open Air concerts featuring Artic Monkeys, Kings of Leon, and AC\DC Tribute Acts and local bands
Sat 26 June to Sun 27 June - Best Buddies Talent Competition in the Square 
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival Race Meeting takes place at the Curragh Racecourse from Fri 24 to Sun 26 June
Horse Racing starts on Friday 24 June
Day 1: Fri 24 June - 7 races and live music. 1st race 6.00pm
Feature Race: 7.30pm International Stakes (Group 3)
8.35pm Boogie Nights perform on Enclosure Stage
Day 2: Sat 25 June 8 races with fashion, entertainment and hospitality. 1st race 2.00pm
Feature Race: 3.35pm Stobart Ireland Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1)
Day 3: Sat 26 June 8 races with fashion, entertainment and hospitality. 1st race 1.40pm
Feature Race: 3.50pm Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1)
The Good Food Ireland Village will allow race-goers to experience a wide selection of local food dishes from Ireland’s top restaurants, hotels, food producers, and cookery schools.
Drop by and enjoy a wonderful few days of top class entertainment, wonderful food and exciting horse racing.
County Kildare News
June 24, 2011