Cookstown 100 Visitors Guide :
Updated for 2026
Get all the latest Cookstown 100 Updates Here
TBNI.Blog have compiled the most useful and popular posts in relation to the Cookstown 100 in order to bring you a basic Cookstown 100 Visitor’s Guide. Hopefully this guide will give you an idea and some knowledge of the course and plenty of other useful information.
History :
The Cookstown 100 is the oldest in Ireland. It was first held in 1922 on a 30-mile course near Stewartstown. The distance of the race has changed throughout the years, but it has been called the Cookstown 100 since 1930. In 1998, the race moved to its current 2.1-mile circuit.
The Cookstown 100 has been won by many famous riders, including Joey Dunlop, Ray McCullough, and Ryan Farquhar. The event has been cancelled a few times throughout history, due to reasons such as war, safety concerns, foot and mouth disease and of course the Northern Irish weather! Despite the cancellations, the Cookstown 100 remains an important part of Irish motorcycle racing and is now considered the official opener for the road racing season.
- The Cookstown 100 is the oldest road race on the island of Ireland.
- It was first held as a 30-mile event on Thursday, June 15, 1922.
- Remarkably, it predates the Ulster Grand Prix, which began on Saturday, October 14, 1922, making the Cookstown 100 four months older.
- Organized by the Cookstown and District Motor Cycle Club, the race initially took place on the Sherrygroom circuit near Stewartstown.
- Over the years, the race distance increased from 30 miles to 70 miles and eventually to 100 miles.
- With the Temple 100 no longer in existence, the Cookstown 100 now holds the distinction of being the oldest road race on the island of Ireland.
Riders with the most wins at Cookstown :
- Ryan Farquhar – 26 wins (1996-2012)
- Ray McCullough – 14 wins (1967-1979)
- Joey Dunlop – 11 wins (1977-1998)
- Robert Dunlop – 11 wins (1985-2008)
- Phillip McCallen – 10 wins (1987-1996)
Circuits Used for the Cookstown Races :
- 1922 – Sherrygroom
- 1923 – Race not held (road closing refused by Tyrone County Council)
- 1924/25 – Sherrygroom
- 1926/27 – Ardcumber/Tullyhogue
- 1930-36 – Orritor (7.1 miles)
- 1937 – Race not held (bridge on course under repair at the time)
- 1938 – Orritor
- 1939 – Race not held (insurance problem)
- 1940-45 – World War Two
- 1946-1963 – Orritor
- 1964-1970 – Grange
- 1971 – Orritor
- 1972 – Race not held (security situation)
- 1973-1998 – Sherrygroom
- 1999 – Orritor (3.2 miles)
- 2000 to date – Orritor (2.1 miles)
- 2001 – No race held – due to foot and mouth disease precautions
The is a full and concise write on the history of the Cookstown 100 on the Official website. It is very interesting indeed.
How to Buy Cookstown 100 Tickets & Spectator Packages :
The Cookstown 100 works on Spectator Packages, these are available from directly from the Club and all details are available on the Official Facebook Page. Prices start at around £25. VIP Packages are also available, but generally sellout quickly. Packages generally go on sale before Christmas for the upcoming event and are available until a few weeks before the event. Check out the Offical Pages for further details.
Spectator packages do NOT include Parking or Camping.
For Camping, check out Drum Manor Forest Park (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/drum-manor-forest-park ), or Rectory Lodge Fishery 07931739359.
Cookstown 100 Parking :
No Parking or Camping within the circuit.
Parking is available along the Orritor Road, Cookstown (it gets very busy and is patrolled by the Police to ensure no obstructions are caused – they will give you a ticket or have your car towed) as well as numerous properties near to the circuit (which will charge) and the Church on Orritor Road which generally offers out its car park to spectators for free on a first come first served basis.
The best thing you can do is arrive in good time, park sensibly and save yourself the long walk along the Orritor Road from the town centre.
Cookstown 100 Circuit :
The circuit is situated at and around the Orritor Road, Cookstown, Co Tyrone Northern Ireland.
Directions from Dublin : Take the M1 from Dublin to the Armagh turn off then head to Armagh then head for Dungannon, when you get to Dungannon look for Cookstown A29 when in Cookstown Orritor Rd is off to the left up the main st, If you cant find it ask anyone because you are not far away.
Directions from Belfast : Take the M1 and head for the West Dungannon, when you get to Dungannon look for Cookstown A29 when in Cookstown Orritor Rd is off to the left up the main st, If you cant find it ask anyone because you are not far away.
Directions from Larne : Head for the M2 Motorway when you get on the M2 you are heading for Magherafelt, Once in Magherafelt head for Moneymore then Cookstown, Then in Cookstown Orritor Rd is off to the right up the main st, If you cant find it ask anyone because you are not far away.
2026 Cookstown 100 Race Schedule & Road Closures :
The 2026 Cookstown 100 will run over the 24th – 25th April 2026.
A road closure order is in place for the following times on each day :
Friday 24th April 2026 : 07:00 – 21:30
Saturday 25th April 2026 : 07:00 – 1930
The road closure is currently out for public consultation – which can be found here : https://consult.nia-yourassembly.org.uk/committee-for-infrastructure/the-road-races-cookstown-100-motor-cycle-road-race/
The full 2025 road closure order can be viewed here : https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/road-races-cookstown-100-motor-cycle-road-race-order-northern-ireland-2025
Best Places to Watch (Spectator Vantage Points) :
To follow
For further details subscribe to to the TBNI Road Racing Calendar.
Please Note : This Schedule is subject to change.
Road Racing Flags and Their Meanings :
https://tbni.blog/2022/05/18/road-racing-flags/
BBC Radio Ulster :
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_ulster
Cookstown 100 Official Sites :
- Cookstown 100 Official Site
- Cookstown 100 Official Facebook Feed
- Cookstown 100 Official Twitter Feed
