Mondello Park is Ireland's only permanent motorsport facility and the only place in the country where you can legally drive your own car at its limits on a proper circuit. Whether it is your first track day or your twentieth, here is everything you need to know for 2026.
Where Is Mondello Park?
Mondello Park is located near Donore in County Kildare, approximately 45 minutes from Dublin city centre via the M7. The facility has been at the heart of Irish motorsport since the 1960s and hosts everything from Formula Ford championships to club track days to the Mondello Masters international event. The main circuit is 2.473km in its full configuration with a mix of fast sweepers, chicanes and a long back straight that will tell you a lot about your brakes.
Track Day Formats at Mondello
Open pit lane days are the most common format for road car drivers. You drive at your own pace, leave and re-enter the circuit as you choose, and there is no pressure to maintain a minimum pace. These are the right starting point for first-timers. Cars are typically grouped loosely by pace and experience.
Timed events and competition days suit drivers who have done a number of open days and want to measure their progress. Arrive and drive sessions are available through some organisers where you drive a prepared circuit car rather than your own — a good way to experience the circuit without putting your own car through it.
What Does a Track Day Cost?
Open pit lane track days at Mondello typically run from around €150 to €200 per car depending on organiser and session format. Half-day sessions are available at lower prices. Always check the Mondello Park website directly for current pricing as costs vary by event.
What to Bring
A helmet is mandatory — open face or full face, both are accepted. Wear natural fibre clothing — cotton or wool. Synthetic fabrics are not permitted at most track day events. Bring brake fluid — track driving puts significantly more heat into your braking system than road use. Check your tyre pressures and condition before you leave home — your car will be scrutineered before going on track.
"Your first track day will change how you think about driving. After a day at Mondello, the road will feel very different."
Preparing Your Car
For a standard road car on an open pit lane day, no significant preparation is required beyond ensuring it is mechanically sound. Check brakes, tyres, coolant and oil. Remove all loose items from the interior — floor mats, sunglasses, water bottles. Tape over your lights with electrical tape to contain glass in the event of a stone chip. This takes five minutes and is standard practice.
What to Expect on the Day
Arrive early for registration and scrutineering. Attend the mandatory briefing — the track layout, flag signals and overtaking rules will all be covered. Take note of the flag signals especially. Your first session should be exploratory — learn the layout, find your braking points and build pace gradually. The circuit will still be there in session three.
Frequently Asked Questions
Open pit lane days typically start from around €150–€200 per car depending on organiser and format. Check mondellopark.ie for current pricing.
No — standard road cars are welcome at open pit lane track days. You will need a helmet and your car will go through a basic safety scrutineering check before going on track.
Near Donore, County Kildare, approximately 45 minutes from Dublin via the M7. Ireland's only permanent motorsport circuit.
