An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has officially opened the new Killanin Stand at Galway Racecourse.
. The state of the art Killanin Stand will accommodate over 7,000 people with seating for 700 on the first floor balcony.
The total cost of the Killanin Stand was €22 million and has been generously grant aided by Horse Racing Ireland to the amount of €10 million. The stand was completed in a record time of 44 weeks by building contractors Michael McNamara & Co. The design team.
The state of the art stand consists of four floors. The Ground Floor hosts Bar, Restaurant, Tote and Toilet Facilities.
The Menlo Bar & Restaurant will be situated on the First Floor together with Tote, Bar and Toilet Facilities, there is also a free seating balcony off this floor for 700 patrons.
These two floors are available for our loyal supporters who have attended Galway Races over long numbers of years.
The second and third floor will house the Plate and Hurdle Hospitality Suites. The feature of this stand is the panoramic views of Galway Racecourse, Galway Bay and Lough Corrib.
Speaking at the official opening, Galway Race Committee Chairman, Mr. Raymond J. Rooney said: 'In providing this facility, Galway Race Committee has a two fold objective.
'The first was to continue with their policy of providing a standard of excellence in all facilities at Galway Racecourse to their patrons. Secondly, reward and pay tribute to the many thousands of loyal supporters who continually come to Galway Races. This new Stand will certainly fulfil both objectives.
'The creation of this new Stand is the last in the piece of a jigsaw which saw developments over the past seven years in Galway Racecourse incorporating the new Millennium Stand, underground car and pedestrian pass, the creation of new weigh-room, offices and state of the art media centre.
'This new development will stand as testimony to the strength of Irish Racing in this country and confirm the long held theory that if you supply top class facilities in any sport or organisation you will get the support.'
