A place to linger at The Curragh Racecourse
Kildare, Ireland
In public spaces
At The Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland, the experience extends beyond the finish line. On the terrace overlooking the track, Pantagruel picnic tables by Extremis give racegoers a place to share food, catch up with friends and enjoy the atmosphere between races. White frames and wooden tabletops bring a relaxed setting to one of Ireland’s best-known sporting venues.
The races set the pace. The table invites you to stay.
Architecture with a view
Home to Ireland’s five Classic flat races, The Curragh combines a long racing tradition with contemporary hospitality. Its redevelopment, completed in 2019, was designed by Grimshaw in collaboration with Newenham Mulligan & Associates, with landscape architecture by Dermot Foley.
The grandstand brings restaurants, bars and viewing areas beneath a dramatic cantilevered roof. Its horizontal forms respond to the open landscape of the Curragh plains, keeping the racecourse and its surroundings central to the visitor experience.
On the terrace, that connection remains immediate. Tables sit within sight of the turf, so taking a seat still feels part of the occasion. The architecture sets the scene; the furniture makes room to enjoy it.
Round tables for race day
Among the terrace’s smaller café settings, Pantagruel picnic tables offer a shared place for larger groups. Each round table seats eight, with curved benches arranged around a central tabletop. Everyone faces into the conversation, whether discussing the last race or deciding what to order next.
The integrated Lazy Susan makes it easy to share food and drinks without reaching across the table. Openings between the benches allow guests to step in from the sides, while the combined table and seating create a clearly defined gathering point.
For an outdoor hospitality terrace, these details matter. Visitors arrive in different groups and move between watching, eating and socialising throughout the day. Pantagruel provides a setting for those quieter moments within a busy sporting event.
A warmer side to the grandstand
Seen up close, the wooden slats introduce texture alongside the terrace’s stone paving and concrete columns. White frames give the tables a light visual presence, while their circular forms soften the surrounding architectural lines.
From above, the arrangement becomes a series of social spaces overlooking the course. Some tables host a conversation; others wait for the next group to arrive. Here, outdoor furniture helps turn a viewing terrace into somewhere to spend an afternoon.
Whatever happens on the track, there is a good place to sit.
Pictures by Peter Mooney
