Leopardstown announces Damien Dempsey and Stockton's Wing as first headliners

Taking place at Leopardstown Racecourse on Saturday February 3 and Sunday February 4, Leopardstown has announced the two music headliners for the festival – Damien Dempsey (Feb 3) and Stockton’s Wing (Feb 4).

While Grade 1 horse racing and first class music will top the bill over the weekend, Leopardstown Racecourse is set to bring the ‘the best of Dublin’ to the venue, celebrating the fair city’s famous wit, comedy, cuisine and culture over a jam-packed two day programme.

In terms of music, it doesn’t come much more Dublin than Damien Dempsey. Earlier in 2017, Damien released his new studio album Soulsun, recorded with long-term producer and collaborator John Reynolds and featuring duets with Dido and Imelda May. It was proclaimed his “most exciting work to date” and marked 17 years that have set him apart as one of the most unique and important voices in Irish music.

Meanwhile, Stockton’s Wing is one of Ireland’s most prolific and enduring bands, celebrating their 40th year since forming in 1977. Seen by many as one of this country’s finest exponents of contemporary traditional Irish music, Stockton’s Wing have released 12 albums, toured the US several times - a New York Times critic described their sound as “eclectic, electric, passionate, personal, innovative and powerful” – and even supported Michael Jackson for two nights at Pairc Ui Caoimh in Cork. A recent tour to coincide with their 40th anniversary confirmed their continuing popularity, cementing their place in Irish music annals.

For avid racing fans and sporting fans alike, Dublin Racing Festival promises two exhilarating days of the finest jumps racing, with the best equine talent from Ireland and the UK competing for two premium titles - the Unibet Irish Gold Cup and the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle. In total there will be seven mouth-watering Grade 1 races for €1.5 million in prize money. It’s the very best Dublin has to offer at one, famous venue.

Pat Keogh, CEO, Leopardstown Racecourse commented: “We are very excited about the potential of this festival: for the racing fan, who will get to see some of the biggest national hunt races of the year in one weekend. For the festival fan, the entertainment will include cultural elements that make Dublin one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Europe. We are looking forward to welcoming Damien Dempsey back to Leopardstown after playing with us during our Bulmers Live at Leopardstown Series previously, while Stockton’s Wing are part of the fabric of the Irish music scene. I am looking forward to seeing them perform again.”

The 6 Nations France vs Ireland rugby clash will also be shown live on the big screen on Saturday evening while further details of performers and highlights at Dublin Racing Festival will be revealed early in the New Year. Tickets for the festival are now on sale from www.leopardstown.com with information on various packages for the weekend.