Curragh Racecourse Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse, usually referred to as simply The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred racecourse. It is situated on the Curragh plain in County Kildare, between the towns of Newbridge and Kildare. The name "Curragh" comes from the Irish (Gaeilge) word "Cuirreach", meaning "place of the running horse". The first recorded race on the plain took place in 1727, but it was used for races before then. The first Derby was held in 1866, and in 1868 the Curragh was officially declared a horse racing and training facility by act of parliament. The course is right-handed, about
1978 Irish Greyhound Derby 1978 Irish Greyhound Derby The 1978 Irish Greyhound Derby took place during June and July with the final being held at Shelbourne Park in Dublin on 29 July 1978. The winner Pampered Rover won £20,000 and was trained by Paddy Keane and owned and bred by Joe Phelan. The competition was sponsored by Carrolls. At Shelbourne, 29 July (over 525 yards): 1½, 2, 1½, 2, 1 (lengths) Ger McKenna was once again the trainer of the ante-post favourite for the Irish Derby, this time it was with Here's Tat. With no Welsh Greyhound Derby there was a bigger gap to