Galway Races 2027: airport, hotel and racecourse legs
Ballybrit's 2027 Summer Festival opens on 26 July and closes on 1 August, a full week of racing. Corporate hospitality hosts, racing clubs and parties flying in for the week use us to line up airport, hotel and course legs, each run by a licensed, insured operator.
Choosing the day
Plate day falls on Wednesday 28 July 2027, with Ladies Day the following day, Thursday 29 July. Book those two first, especially for a coach and driver who will be with you from hotel to racecourse and back.
Planning notes
- The racecourse is just off the M6 motorway.
- Seven days of racing; the Galway Plate is on the Wednesday (28 July 2027), and Ladies Day is Thursday 29 July 2027.
- In 2026, shuttle buses ran to the racecourse from Eyre Square, outside The Skeff.
Flying in for the festival
Knock is the nearest of the three main options, 60 to 65 minutes from Galway. From Shannon it is 94 km, a little over an hour, and from Dublin Airport about 2.5 hours. The Dublin route along the M6 passes the M4 Kilcock to Kinnegad and N6 Galway to Ballinasloe toll points.
For a hospitality group landing on race morning, that drive decides whether they see the first race. Send flight times with the booking, and if arrivals are spread across airports, expect one vehicle per airport rather than a long wait for a combined run.
Hotel to Ballybrit
The racecourse is east of the city, just off the M6. Groups staying around Eyre Square, the Docks, Salthill or Oranmore can be collected at the hotel door on a timed run. In 2026 shuttle buses also ran to the course from Eyre Square, outside The Skeff, a fallback for anyone who misses the group departure.
After the last race
Set the return time before the day starts, and name the collection point. Traffic leaves the course together, so a pickup 30 to 45 minutes after the last race can be calmer than one straight after it.
Questions
When are the Galway Races in 2027?
It opens on 26 July 2027 and runs through to 1 August, a Monday-to-Sunday week at Ballybrit.
Which airport is closest to Galway?
Ireland West Airport Knock, about 60 to 65 minutes by road. Shannon is about 1 h 10 min.
Can one vehicle stay with us for the whole race day?
Yes. Ask for a hotel-to-course-to-hotel booking with the timings. The quote states the vehicle and the pickup and return times.