Event attracts crowds of visitors taking opportunity to walk around race track to raise funds for charity
Despite the many changes in the almost 170-year history of Punchestown, the walk still remains a celebrated custom before the first white flag is raised.
John Kane of the KWWSPCA, originally from Dublin, recalls going to Walking Sunday as a child. He has talked to many who attend over the years and said their “reasons varied wildly from tradition to superstition, some wanted to touch the grass for good luck. It was a big thing and not just in Kildare”.
“Punchestown was the Mecca for us. It was Christmas, Easter and then Punchestown. The whole town would shut down,” Mr Conway says.“It was the highlight of the year and the walk was an enormous part of it. Especially when the festival was only two days, it was a huge part of Punchestown week.” Walking Sunday has evolved into a fundraising event for Kildare charities, and this year welcomes patrons and pets in aid of KWWSPCA for their first trip around the storied course since the pandemic.
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