The Irish Times reports that Fairyhouse racecourse, home of the Irish Grand National, has taken the first step towards selling part of its lands and redeveloping its facilities.

The paper says the course has asked Meath County Council to rezone land it owns next to the racetrack for commercial and residential development.

The track’s owner, Fairyhouse Club Ltd, a subsidiary of State body Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), owns the track. The club bought the 28-acre site to the south of the racecourse as an investment several years ago.

Matt O’Dwyer, chief executive of HRI’s property and commercial division, told a recent meeting of Meath County Council that Fairyhouse plans to redevelop its facilities. HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh told the Irish Times at the weekend that proceeds from the sale of any surplus land at Fairyhouse would be used to fund that redevelopment.

Posted: 07|31|06 at 10:36 am. Filed under: Property & Land.