All you need to know for St Stephen's Day at Mr Binman Limerick Christmas Racing Festival

THE opening day of the four-day Mr Binman Limerick Christmas Racing Festival takes place at Greenmount Park today, St Stephen's Day.

Limerick Racecourse plays host to Munster’s biggest annual racing festival and one of the highlights of the annual sporting and social calendar between now and Monday, December 29.

The opening race on the St Stephen's Day card at Limerick Racecourse is the Aqua Process Solutions@Limerick 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle which is due off at 12.25pm.

READ NEXT: Ireland XV to host England 'A' in Limerick in February

Limerick’s feature race on December 26 is the Defender Novice Hurdle, of €37,500.00, a Grade 2 over 2m7f. That race is due off at 1.33pm. The big race each day at Limerick will be shown live on RTE2 TV as part of their Leopardstown coverage. 

The final race on the card on St Stephen's Day is due off at the Patrickswell venue at 3.50pm.

A free shuttle bus service operates from Limerick city to the racecourse over the four days. On St Stephen's Day the buses will leave from the People's Park, Limerick to the racecourse at 10:30am, 10:45am, 11:30am and 11:45am. Buses will then depart the racecourse after racing at 16:00pm, 16:20pm, 17:00pm and 17:30pm (Drop off locations People's Park).

Limerick's Christmas Festival is renowned for its lively social scene. Over the four days, racegoers can enjoy live music and entertainment in the Big Top and Grandstand.

Fashion takes centre stage on day two, Saturday, December 27 with the Holman Lee Agency presenting the 'Most Stylish Lady' competition, offering prizes worth €1500 kindly sponsored by Lyons of Limerick and Keane’s Jewellers along with goodie bags kindly sponsored by Brown Thomas for all the finalists. TV personality Meghann Scully will be in attendance on the day to talk all things racing and fashion.

Racing presenter and influencer Frankie Foster will be on course on Sunday, December 28 to mingle with racegoers and provide analysis on the Christmas Festival showpiece, the Grade 1 Guinness 00 Faugheen Novice Chase.

The family fun day on Monday, December 29 invites families to enjoy a festive day filled with a host of free activities such as play areas, carnival rides, face painting and kiddie characters by Giggles Entertainment.

For more information and to book tickets, visit limerickraces.ie.