Bellewstown

History

Evidence of ancient settlement in the area includes a number of cist, standing stone, ring ditch and ringfort sites in the townlands of Bellewstown, Collierstown and Hilltown. Bellewstown Castle, a 15th-century building that is now in ruin, is historically associated with the Bellew family. Its ruins stand near Bellewstown House. The tradition of summer horse racing at Bellewstown Racecourse dates to at least the 18th century, and the first record of racing here appears in The Dublin Gazette and the Weekly Courier in August 1726. In 1780, George Tandy, a former mayor of Drogheda and brother of James Napper Tandy, persuaded George III to sponsor a race at Bellewstown. The race was called His Majesty's Plate and was valued at £100. There was also previously a cricket ground in the middle of the race track. Racing continues to occur on an annual basis, taking place during the course of the summer. While there was previously just one meeting a year at Bellewstown (in July), as of the 21st century, four meetings are held each year. These include one day in April, three days in July, three days in August and two days in September. The track is a one-mile and one-furlong left-handed course, featuring both flat and hurdle racing.