Naas Racecourse Recognised As Ireland's First Age Friendly Racecourse

Tuesday, 17 December 2024 08:43

By Hannah Kelly

It's being celebrated at the racecourse today with a special launch event featuring renowned former jockey, racing analyst, and Age Friendly Kildare Ambassador Ted Walsh

Naas Racecourse has been designated as Ireland's first Age Friendly Racecourse by Age Friendly Ireland.

It follows a completion of a process aligned with the principles of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Network for Age Friendly Cities and Communities of a process aligned with the principles of WHO's Global Network for Age Friendly Cities and Communities.

It's being celebrated at the racecourse today with a special launch event featuring renowned former jockey, racing analyst, and Age Friendly Kildare Ambassador Ted Walsh.

Coinciding with the racecourse’s Centenary year, this recognition highlights the successful completion of an extensive initiative to improve accessibility, comfort, and inclusivity, with a particular focus on enhancing the experience for older adults.

Key improvements by Naas Racecourse to make it Age Friendly include parking spaces located near the entrance to provide ease of access for older patrons and individuals with disabilities; universal design-compliant seating with armrests and backrests; specially-designed tables with wheelchair access; and lower betting counters for ease of access for patrons using wheelchairs.

Speaking on the announcement, Ted Walsh, former jockey, racing analyst and Age Friendly Kildare Ambassador said: “The love for this sport doesn’t diminish with age; if anything, it grows deeper. Naas Racecourse’s dedication to creating a more welcoming and accessible environment for older people is commendable. Whether attending with family, friends, or solo, everyone deserves to enjoy the thrill of the races in comfort. I hope other racecourses across Ireland follow this example, ensuring racegoers of all ages can continue to engage with this beloved sport.”