Irish life · Race weeks · Updated November 2026
Galway Races week: the complete guide
By the Irish Sports Betting Sites team
In short: the Galway Races is a seven-day festival at Ballybrit racecourse, starting on the last Monday of July. The Galway Plate is run on the Wednesday and the Galway Hurdle on the Thursday. Book accommodation early, use the shuttle buses, and set your budget for the week before it starts.
The week at a glance
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Monday | Opening evening meeting. |
| Wednesday | The Galway Plate, the week’s big chase. |
| Thursday | The Galway Hurdle, plus Ladies Day. |
| Friday to Sunday | More racing and big weekend crowds. |
Getting to Ballybrit
Ballybrit is a few kilometres east of Galway city. Shuttle buses run from the city centre on race days, and taxis are in high demand at the end of each day, so plan your trip home. Check the racecourse website for times.
In the city
Galway is packed for race week. Shop Street, Quay Street and the Latin Quarter are the centre of the action in the evenings. Book accommodation months ahead, as hotels fill quickly and prices rise.
Betting at Galway
Galway’s handicaps have big fields, which makes them hard to call. Each-way bets and bookmakers paying extra places are popular. Read our guide to handicap racing before the Plate and the Hurdle.
Takeaway: seven days is a long time to bet. Set a budget for the whole week, not each day.
FAQs
When are the Galway Races?
The festival starts on the last Monday of July and runs for seven days.
What day is the Galway Plate?
The Galway Plate is run on the Wednesday of race week.
How do I get to Ballybrit from Galway city?
Shuttle buses run from the city centre on race days. Taxis are also available but busy.
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