Punchestown Racecourse is located near Naas, County Kildare, in the Province of Leinster, Republic of Ireland. It is home of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland. The Festival is usually held towards the end of April and traditionally marks the end of the National Hunt season in Ireland. In 2008, the Festival will be extended from four days to five days with significant increases in prize-money. Punchestown is also the home of Ireland's best known International Three Day Event. Run under the title of "Punchestown International Three Day Event and Horse Show," the annual event incorporates a CCI*** Three Day Event, National Showjumping and Showing as well as a Young Event Horse Class. Punchestown hosted the European Eventing Championships in 1991 and 2003. The 2008 event was cancelled at an early stage due to problems with the ground.
