Foxrock brings together Beckett’s birthplace, a Heritage Map in the village centre and horse racing at Leopardstown. This leafy suburb lies in the south of County Dublin, between the coast near Dún Laoghaire and the foothills of the Dublin Mountains. This gives you different themes to consider when choosing a destination: cultural landmarks in the village, and golf or horse racing.
Cultural landmarks in the centre of Foxrock
The Heritage Map of the Foxrock area stands on Beckett Green in the centre of the village. It shows local points of interest and offers an overview of landmarks in the area. Another stop for history enthusiasts is a photographic exhibition about the Harcourt Street Railway Line. It is located in the car park of Foxrock Village, on the site of the former Foxrock railway station.
A single telephone kiosk is also part of the area’s early 20th-century heritage: a K1 Mk 234 kiosk, erected in 1926, stands in the centre of Foxrock Village. It is considered the oldest in the country and is a protected structure. The connection to Beckett is biographical: Samuel Barclay Beckett was born on Good Friday, 13 April 1906, the second child of Bill and May Beckett (née Roe), at the family home on the corner of Kerrymount Avenue and Brighton Road in Foxrock.
Horse racing and golf
Leopardstown Racecourse hosts flat racing as well as hurdle and steeplechase races throughout the year. Its recurring events include the opening day of Irish Champions Weekend, the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle and the Unibet Irish Gold Cup. Names and programmes may change; if you are planning your trip around one of these events, check the latest dates.
Leopardstown Golf Centre is in the heart of Foxrock Village. Tee times for visitors are generally available there from 2 pm Sunday to Friday and from 3 pm on Saturdays. Confirm tee times before your trip. This lets you consider golf and other interests as different priorities when planning your time in Foxrock, while keeping their designated times in mind.
Getting to Leopardstown Racecourse
Leopardstown Racecourse is just a short walk from Sandyford Luas stop; Dublin Bus also serves the racecourse. Check current services before travelling. Together with the racing formats and events, this information gives you practical points to consider if the racecourse is an important part of your trip.
More options in the wider destination of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown
Beyond Foxrock, the wider destination of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown offers other landscape and cultural themes. Ticknock has a 13-kilometre signposted mountain bike trail network of purpose-built singletrack trails and forest roads. There are also up to 10 kilometres of mountain and forest paths with views of Dublin City, Dublin Bay, Bray Head and the Wicklow Mountains. Check the difficulty and conditions before cycling.
Another regional highlight is the Dublin Mountain Way: a large section runs through Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown from Shankill via Rathmichael, Kilternan and Glencullen to Ticknock, with a connection through Marlay Park. Marlay Park has a walled garden, peacocks, walking paths, a playground for all ages and a ride on a model railway. Marlay House and Park also includes a restored late 18th-century Georgian house on a 300-acre estate at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. These regional options complement Foxrock’s local history and horse racing with distinct nature and cultural themes.
Discover more destinations: Ranelagh, Carmanhall, Tallaght, Glasnevin, Rathmines, Kilternan, Dublin, Oldtown
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