Attendees at the first day of Punchestown Festival 2022 were absolutely delighted to get back out and watch the long-awaited horse racing championship. Liz Persse, who was  Master of Kildare Foxhounds from 2008 to 2017, and Liz Power also praised the return of the event, with both being longtime Punchestown fans. “The atmosphere here has been fantastic, and the weather is great too,” Liz Perrsse said. “I don’t know how the sponsors and organisers do it, it’s absolutely super,” Liz Power added. Other attendees included Celine O’Keefe from Leixlip who said the last two years deu to Covid are the first Punchestown festival she has missed in over 30 years. She wasn’t missing this one no matter what. “It’s absolutely brilliant to be back. I wanted to be back so much and even though I had surgery 10 days ago on my back, here I am. Only thing that is bothering me is that I can't come again tomorrow,” Celine said. Another man having a great day on the festival return was Lorcan Kelly from Hollywood and he said said: “It’s wonderful to have Punchestown back, I have been coming here for the last 60 years. Missing them for two years broke my streak but we’re back now and it’s great to be here. Punchestown is our track, it's a great place for racing. “I backed Gordon elliot’s two winners so I can't complain about today anyways.”placeholder image
Attendees at the first day of Punchestown Festival 2022 were absolutely delighted to get back out and watch the long-awaited horse racing championship. Liz Persse, who was  Master of Kildare Foxhounds from 2008 to 2017, and Liz Power also praised the return of the event, with both being longtime Punchestown fans. “The atmosphere here has been fantastic, and the weather is great too,” Liz Perrsse said. “I don’t know how the sponsors and organisers do it, it’s absolutely super,” Liz Power added. Other attendees included Celine O’Keefe from Leixlip who said the last two years deu to Covid are the first Punchestown festival she has missed in over 30 years. She wasn’t missing this one no matter what. “It’s absolutely brilliant to be back. I wanted to be back so much and even though I had surgery 10 days ago on my back, here I am. Only thing that is bothering me is that I can't come again tomorrow,” Celine said. Another man having a great day on the festival return was Lorcan Kelly from Hollywood and he said said: “It’s wonderful to have Punchestown back, I have been coming here for the last 60 years. Missing them for two years broke my streak but we’re back now and it’s great to be here. Punchestown is our track, it's a great place for racing. “I backed Gordon elliot’s two winners so I can't complain about today anyways.”

Visitors from Kildare and beyond praise return of Punchestown festival

Daragh Nolan
By Daragh Nolan
Published 26th Apr 2022, 21:33 GMT

Jimmy Lee and Josephine Faughnan made the trip to Punchestown this year for the return of a year’s old family tradition. “It’s fantastic. We come every year for my son’s birthday ever since he was old enough to. We’ll see how today goes and who knows we might be back tomorrow.”

1.

Jimmy Lee and Josephine Faughnan made the trip to Punchestown this year for the return of a year’s old family tradition. “It’s fantastic. We come every year for my son’s birthday ever since he was old enough to. We’ll see how today goes and who knows we might be back tomorrow.”

Antiques auctioneer and Waterford native Rody Keighery, who said he attends every year, was at the event with a mix of family and friends. “It’s fantastic to be back out there, we really did miss it so much… it’s just not the same watching it on the telly,” he said

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Antiques auctioneer and Waterford native Rody Keighery, who said he attends every year, was at the event with a mix of family and friends. “It’s fantastic to be back out there, we really did miss it so much… it’s just not the same watching it on the telly,” he said

Alan and Lucy Whitaker from Wales also voiced their love for the races, having attended the Festival twice in the past. “It’s great to be back not just at Punchestown, but in Ireland again,” Alan said.

3.

Alan and Lucy Whitaker from Wales also voiced their love for the races, having attended the Festival twice in the past. “It’s great to be back not just at Punchestown, but in Ireland again,” Alan said.

John Tipper from Blessington was among those that spoke of his joy at being back in Punchestown, telling the Leader that he has been attending for the past 40 years.

4.

John Tipper from Blessington was among those that spoke of his joy at being back in Punchestown, telling the Leader that he has been attending for the past 40 years.

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