For 364 days of the year, Laytown is a quiet village situated on the Irish north-east coast. But for one day usually in September, the County Meath hamlet is transformed when the colour and excitement of horse racing pays its annual visit. There is no racecourse located in the village however, the racing takes place on the beach, or as the locals would have it – on the strand!

History of the Meeting

There has been a race meeting here stretching back as far as 1868. Originating as the Boyne Regatta, the horse racing commenced when the tide went out and the rowing boats could no longer be raced. Over the years the horse racing events came to the fore and now Laytown is one of the very few official beach race meetings to take place in Europe and the only one in Ireland.

The meeting has always been frowned upon by Church leaders. In the early 20th century, the local Parish Priest became involved in the event's organisation, causing great concern to the Bishop of Meath, not only for the gambling and drinking that was taking place, but by the supposed Church endorsement of it. Over the years, the Church have made many attempts to put an end to the event, but racing at Laytown went from strength to strength.

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