No, greyhound racing is not cruel. The welfare and care of all greyhounds is the utmost priority of the greyhound industry.   

Greyhounds are the most regulated canine breed in the world. Greyhound Racing Ireland is responsible for the welfare of racing greyhounds, and every effort is made to ensure that they are treated in the most humane manner during training or racing. 

GRI launched a code of practice that applies to any person who keeps, breeds, rears, trains, races, trades, or transports a greyhound in Ireland. You can read the code of practice which explains in-depth the care and welfare of greyhounds in Ireland on our website https://bit.ly/3yCAoRQ  

Yes, greyhound racing still exists. The first-ever greyhound race in Ireland took place in May of 1927 at Shelbourne Park, Dublin. Racing continues to this day, most nights of the week, in stadiums across Ireland. 

Greyhound racing is a highly skilled fast-paced sport that involves the competitive and non-competitive racing of greyhounds around a track.  Each greyhound is graded according to its ability and will be entered in races against other greyhounds of equal grade.   All Irish races consist of 6 greyhounds and trap numbers are allocated by a computer draw.  Those with a preference for inside or outside traps will be seeded accordingly.   Once the greyhounds leave the traps (following a mechanical hare) the training, feeding, and care regime is what counts and comes to the surface then! Greyhounds will have been schooled on track surfaces and will therefore use their natural skill and speed to follow the hare home.  Speed and agility are key attributes to crossing the finish line first. 

No, greyhound racing is not banned in Ireland, it is a legal sport.

Yes, greyhound racing is legal in Ireland and is enshrined in laws including, Greyhound Racing Act 2019  and Welfare of Greyhounds Regulations 2016. The governing body for Irish Greyhound Racing (Bord na gCon) (the company rebranded to Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) in 2020) was established under special legislation by the Irish government in 1958. To read more of our primary legislation please check out  https://grireland.ie/Resource/rules-and-guides/primary-legislation/  

Greyhound racing runs most days, to find out what days and times greyhound racing takes place across our stadiums nationwide please visit  "today's racing"

The first-ever greyhound race in Ireland took place in May of 1927 at Shelbourne Park stadium in Dublin.

No, greyhound racing dogs are not mistreated. Greyhounds are the most regulated canine breed in the world. Greyhound Racing Ireland is responsible for the welfare of racing greyhounds, and every effort is made to ensure that they are treated in the most humane manner during training or racing. GRI launched a code of practice that applies to any person who keeps, breeds, rears, trains, races, trades, or transports a greyhound in Ireland. 

The Irish Greyhound racing industry provides and supports considerable employment both directly and indirectly across the Irish economy.  It is estimated that in 2019 the industry supported 4,150 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy.  In addition, there are 6,211 active greyhound owners.  The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the greyhound sector is estimated at 10,361. The greyhound racing industry is an important part of the social and economic fabric of rural Ireland.  It is an important "way of life" for greyhound owners around the country.  For stakeholders in the sector, it is an important economic and social activity. 

The cost of greyhounds differs. The cost depends on the breed of the greyhound and on whether the greyhound is raced or not, all these elements will determine the cost.

Our stadiums are open to the public to watch greyhound racing live.  You can also watch greyhound racing live on Racing Post Greyhound TV. You can view RPGTV on Sky channel 437 and Freesat channel 250.