Jim Kavanagh's lifelong passion leads to opening of Kildare's newest visitor attraction
Officially opening in Kildare town Sunday, 21 June, the museum is the culmination of Jim Kavanagh's lifelong love of horse racing
Into Kildare is inviting visitors to discover County Kildare's most unique tourism attraction as racing enthusiast Jim Kavanagh opens the doors of the Racing Legends Museum in Kildare Town ahead of this year's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival.
Officially opening on Sunday, 21 June at 1.30pm, the museum is the culmination of Jim Kavanagh's lifelong love of horse racing and his passion for preserving the stories, memorabilia and legends that have shaped Ireland's racing heritage.
Located in Kildare Courthouse, the free attraction adds another experience to County Kildare's tourism offering and further strengthens the county's reputation as Ireland's Horse Country.
The collection features jockey silks, trophies, historic photographs, racing memorabilia, footage of legendary thoroughbreds and stories celebrating some of the most famous Irish Derby winners. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet Jim himself and hear first-hand the stories behind the exhibits.
A native of Kildare Town, Jim Kavanagh enjoyed a successful training career at French Furze Stables on the edge of the Curragh, yielding more than 100 winners, before serving for over a decade as Chief Executive of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association. A passionate historian and archivist with a lifelong interest in Irish racing and his beloved home place, the Curragh, Jim has accumulated an extraordinary collection of racing memorabilia over the years, which has been showcased through the Racing Legends Museum as part of the Kildare Derby Festival since 2019. This year, the festival will recognise Jim's outstanding contribution to Irish racing.
One of the museum's highlights is a special commemorative display dedicated to Old Vic, winner of the 1989 Irish Derby under legendary American jockey Steve Cauthen, offering racing fans the chance to revisit one of the most memorable chapters in Derby history.
As home to the Curragh Racecourse, the Irish National Stud & Gardens, world-renowned stud farms and a rich equestrian tradition, County Kildare has long been recognised as the heart of Irish racing. The opening of the Racing Legends Museum adds another reason for visitors to experience all that Ireland's Horse Country has to offer.
Chloe McGrory, Into Kildare, said: "Jim's extraordinary collection and his passion for preserving the stories behind some of racing's greatest moments make the Racing Legends Museum a wonderful addition to Kildare's tourism offering. As visitors arrive for Derby Week, this is another unique experience that showcases why County Kildare is internationally recognised as Ireland's Horse Country. Into Kildare is proud to support and celebrate County Kildare's rich horse racing heritage at the heart of Ireland's Horse Country."
Museum owner Jim Kavanagh said: "This collection has been built over many years and every item has a story behind it. I'm delighted to be able to share it with visitors and fellow racing enthusiasts and hopefully help preserve some of the memories and personalities that have made Irish racing so special.
The museum opening comes as County Kildare prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for the Kildare Derby Festival and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival at the Curragh Racecourse, one of the highlights of Ireland's sporting and social calendar.
Racing Legends Museum
• Opens Sunday, 21 June at 1.30pm
• Kildare Courthouse, Kildare Town
• Admission free
• Open daily from 10am to 3pm
• Closed during the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival (27-28 June)
For information on Derby Week events and everything to see and do in County Kildare, visit www.intokildare.ie.