HRI´s new Curragh headquarters officially opened Seamus Brennan, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism officially opened Horse Racing Ireland?s new Headquarters today at a reception hosted by Denis Brosnan, Chairman of Horse Racing Ireland. The new building at Ballymany, The Curragh, Co Kildare, brings together for the first time all the functions of Horse Racing Ireland in one location. A total of 110 people will work at the new headquarters for HRI and subsidiary companies, Tote Ireland, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and HRI Racecourses Ltd. One of the features of the 28,000 sq ft building is a new racing library containing a comprehensive written record of the history of Irish racing. The archive includes a range of disparate documents and publications demonstrating how racing has evolved over the years, including racing calendars from 1800 to the present day and a collection of stud books, guides, statistical abstracts and racing press material. Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism, Seamus Brennan, TD:- ?It is thanks to the work of Horse Racing Ireland, our trainers, jockeys, owners and racecourse managers that Ireland has a reputation as the world leader in horse racing. This new national headquarters for HRI reflects that professionalism and the high standards that we see across the industry.? Chairman of HRI, Denis Brosnan: - ?I am delighted to have all staff together in one location allowing HRI and its subsidiary companies to work even more strongly to ensure that the industry retains its position as a key part of Irish society. As a Board, we were particularly pleased that the contractors brought the project in under budget and two months early, for which I must congratulate Rohcon?. HRI?s Chief Executive, Brian Kavanagh said, ?We are delighted to have moved into our new headquarters at Ballymany and we look forward to playing a full part in the Newbridge business community. I would like to pay particular thanks to Kildare County Council and to Kildangan Stud for all their support during the development of this project.? Among the 180 guests at the launch were trainers Dermot Weld, Jim Bolger and Michael Halford, Minister Sean Power, TD and other local politicians Aine Brady and Michael Fitzpatrick. Adrian Neilan ? CEO of Bord na gCon and historians Guy St John Williams and Tony Sweeney.
