Festive races and fun markets in Dublin

Holidaymakers who want to experience Dublin at its festive best have some great opportunities coming up just after Christmas and at the start of the year.

One of the biggest events in the Irish capital for horse racing is the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, which takes place from December 26th to 29th.

The racecourse is just 12 miles from Dublin's city centre and is renowned for being a fantastic day out as well as a major race meeting.

Modelled on England's Sandown Racecourse in Surrey, Leopardstown dates from 1888 and its Christmas Festival is a traditional event.

The festival regularly attracts 65,000 visitors over all four days, and will open with its novice steeplechase race - considered by horse racing experts as a trial for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.

For more information see www.leopardstown.com

However, there are lots of other things to see and do in Dublin from December to January, with two ice rinks, Smithfield on Ice and 7Up Christmas on Ice.

Dublin's wide selection of markets will also be in full swing over this period, giving visitors a chance to escape the throngs of high street shoppers.

Blackrock Market, based in a former coach station, is open every weekend and is considered one of Ireland's most successful.

As well as food and drink, stallholders sell fine and modern art, antiques, furniture, soft furnishings and crafts.

There are also three markets to see in the Temple Bar area of the city - a gourmet-lovers food market on Meeting House Square, a fashion market selling the latest offerings from up and coming designers on Cow's Lane and a book market on Temple Bar Square (www.templebar.ie).

And for families there are five pantomime shows - Mother Goose, two versions of Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk.

For more information on Dublin see www.visitdublin.ie

Alternatively, if you want to catch some racing before the year end but prefer to head to western rather than eastern Ireland, then you can catch the Guinness Christmas Racing Festival in Limerick, also from December 26th to 29th 2006.

For more information seewww.limerick-racecourse.com