Considering the greyhounds, do you hear the distant roar of the crowd? That’s the spirit of Shelbourne Park. This is Dublin’s premier greyhound racing stadium. Shelbourne Park stands in Ringsend. It is more than just a track. It’s a place filled with history. It is also full of excitement.
Shelbourne Park opened its gates on May 14, 1927. Paddy O’Donoghue, Jerry Collins, Patsy McAlinden, and Jim Clarke created it. They envisioned Dublin having its own prestigious greyhound track. This would mirror the success of Celtic Park in Belfast.
In 1928, the Easter Cup was introduced. It was named to honor the 1916 Easter Monday Rising. But the race soon gained its own identity. Odd Blade, a brindle greyhound, won the first Easter Cup. He then defended his title the next year. The legendary Mick the Miller set a world record. He ran 500 yards in 28.80 seconds in 1928. However, he lost to Odd Blade in the 1929 Easter Cup final. Mick later won the English Greyhound Derby. He trained with Shelbourne’s Mick Horan.
Shelbourne Park became home to the Irish Greyhound Derby. It was previously held at Harold’s Cross Stadium. Guideless Joe was the first Derby winner at Shelbourne. Jack Moyland owned him. Mick Horan trained him.
The Oaks arrived at Shelbourne Park in 1935. Like the Derby, it alternated every other year with Harolds Cross. Several other events were held here in the thirties. These included the Grand National and the St Leger. The Irish Coursing Club decided to distribute these races among different tracks. The McAlinden Cup started in 1939.
In April 1940, Tanist broke the Shelbourne Park track record. He ran the race in 29.66 seconds. Spanish Battleship claimed his second Derby victory in 1954. He also broke the track record. On June 25, 1946, Shelbourne Park used Ireland’s first photo finish. It was during the McAlinden Cup semi-finals.
Keep Moving broke the track record twice in the 1956 Irish Derby. Prince of Bermuda broke the 29-second barrier. Bord na gCon installed a new totalisator system in 1960. In 1968, they bought the stadium. This stopped the threat of redevelopment. A big investment followed. The Irish Derby found a permanent home at Shelbourne that year. The Shelbourne 600, sponsored by Guinness, began in 1964. The Oaks also became a permanent fixture at Shelbourne in 1980.
Paddy Ryan became Racing Manager in 1974. He took over from Jack O’Shea. He held the position for over 30 years. The Derby distance changed to 550 yards in 1986. The Champion Stakes became an annual event in 1986.
With Celtic Park’s closure in 1983, Shelbourne became Ireland’s top track. It hosts most major Irish racing events. Greyhound Racing Ireland announced a big plan in March 2021. It would make improvements to the venue. The 2024 Irish Greyhound Derby moved to November due to renovations.
But there’s more to Shelbourne Park than just greyhounds. Shelbourne FC played their home matches here from 1913 to 1949. Speedway racing also took place here.
Shelbourne Park, a Dublin landmark, blends history with modern excitement. It’s a testament to Dublin’s sporting culture. Whether you are a racing fan or new to the sport, the atmosphere is electric. The thrill of the race, combined with good food and company, makes for a memorable night. So next time you are looking for a great night out, remember Shelbourne Park. It offers an experience like no other.