Killarney Racecourse officially unveiled its new entrance as part of their bi-centenary celebrations programme.

Father and son Dermot Ivo O'Sullivan former Board of Directors Killarney Racecourse and his son Ivo O'Sullivan Director of Killarney Racecourse. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Michael Cahill from Rathmore with his grandchildren Luke McMahon and Rory Cahill pictured at the Killarney Races August Festival opening day on Thursday evening. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Kerry Football captain Sean O'Shea and Ger Coughlan Killarney Race Committee pictured with the Sam Maguire Cup at the Killarney Races August Festival opening day on Thursday evening. Photo: Don MacMonagle

As part of Killarney Racecourse programme celebrating 200 years of horse racing in Killarney Minister for Education Norma Foley TD. was on hand on Friday afternoon to mark the bi-centenary by unveiling a new entrance to the racecourse. Members of Kerry County Council and Oireachtas Cllr Marie Maloney Cllr. Niall O'Callaghan Deputy Pa Daly TD. Cllr Donal Grady Cllr Brendan Cronin Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr. Niall Kelleher Gerard Coughlan (Chairman Board of Directors Killarney Racecourse) Cllr. John O'Donoghue Con O'Mahony (Board of Directors Killarney Racecourse). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Kerry Football captain Sean O'Shea with Elliott Keane from Tralee and the Sam Maguire Cup at the Killarney Races August Festival opening day on Thursday evening. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Kerry Football captain Sean O'Shea with Aoife Aine and Sean Scanlon from Killarney pictured with the Sam Maguire Cup at the Killarney Races August Festival opening day on Thursday evening. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD. was on hand on Friday afternoon to mark the bi-centenary by unveiling a new entrance to the racecourse. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

Jonathan Mullin Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs from Horse Racing Ireland pictured speaking at Killarney Racecourse during the 200 years of horse racing in Killarney. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

As part of Killarney Racecourse programme celebrating 200 years from left were: Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr Niall Kelleher Gerard Coughlan (Chairman Board of Directors Killarney Racecourse) Liam Sugrue(Farnes Construction) and Philip O'Brien (Manager Killarney Racecourse). Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan

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Kerry Football captain Sean O'Shea with fellow players and Ger Coughlan Killarney Race Company Chairman pictured with the Sam Maguire Cup at the Killarney Races August Festival opening day on Thursday evening. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Killarney punters Paudie Sheahan and Ger Healy pictured at the Killarney Races August Festival opening day on Thursday evening. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Rachel Foley Pam Treacy and Betty O'Connor from Killarney pictured at the Killarney Races August Festival opening day on Thursday evening. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Oonagh Groves Firies Donal Groves Firies and Naomi Reidy Firies County kerry pictured at the Killarney Races August Festival opening day on Thursday evening. Photo: Don MacMonagle

Kerry Football captain Sean O'Shea with committee members Aine O'Donoghue Con O'Mahony and Ger Coughlan and the Sam Maguire Cup at the Killarney Races August Festival opening day on Thursday evening. Photo: Don MacMonagle

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Kerry Football captain Sean O'Shea with fans Jack and Mike Sheahan Farranfore pictured with the Sam Maguire Cup at the Killarney Races August Festival opening day on Thursday evening. Photo: Don MacMonagle

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Minister for Education, Norma Foley together with Jonathan Mullin Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs from Horse Racing Ireland, The Irish Horse-Racing Regulatory Board and Killarney Racecourse formally opened the gates as part of a short ceremony before racing.

The project commenced in November 2020 and its completion was hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic, increased costs and availability of materials. The development has been partially grant assisted by Horse Racing Ireland’s Capital Development Fund.

“It’s a great honour as Chairman to mark this historic and momentous occasion as we celebrate 200 years of racing in Killarney and unveil this magnificent new entrance," Gerard Coughlan said.

"Racing in Killarney dates back to 1822 prior to establishing itself in 1936 in our current location which is now widely renowned as the most scenic racetrack in Ireland. Over the years there have been many famous and legendary people as well as some very high-class racehorses through our gates. Many high-profile jockeys have ridden at our track including the late great Lester Piggott, Frankie Detorri, to name but a few. The Race Company is deeply indebted to all our sponsors who generously contributed and supported the growth and development of Killarney Racecourse over the years, which has allowed us to grow our racing calendar to 13 superb race fixtures per annum. We are also most grateful for the tremendous support of our very loyal patrons who have frequented Killarney Races over the years. I would also like to thank all management and staff, current and past and my fellow directors for their vision, enthusiasm, and dedication to establishing Killarney as one of the leading racetracks in the country.”

A special note of thanks from the board of Killarney Racecourse DAC also went to Liam Sugrue of Farnes Construction and his team, Engineer, Ian Brosnan of Malachy Walsh and Partners, Brendan Williams, Architect, Sapphire Signs, Anita Barber, Landscaper and Kerry County Council Engineers John Ahern and Stephan Sheehan.