Cookstown 100
Location
Orritor, Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Current Local Time
Track Info
Cookstown 100 - Orritor Circuit, Northern Ireland
Short and intense motorcycle road-racing circuit outside Cookstown - famous for narrow country roads, jumps, fast bends and more than a century of racing history
When was the track built?
The Cookstown 100 does not use a purpose-built race track. Instead, ordinary public roads around Orritor are closed for practice and racing, with barriers, grandstands and safety equipment installed for the event.
Cookstown has used several different road circuits during its long history. A 3.2-mile section of the old Orritor course was introduced in 1999, before being shortened to the current 2.1-mile layout in 2000.
When was its first race?
The first Cookstown road race took place on 15 June 1922. It began as a 30-mile event, increased to 70 miles in 1924 and became a 100-mile race in 1930 - which is where the familiar Cookstown 100 name comes from.
Modern races are much shorter than 100 miles. Instead, a meeting contains separate races for different types of motorcycle, with several classes competing throughout the weekend.
What's the circuit like?
- Short and intense: At just 2.1 miles, Orritor is much shorter than courses such as the Isle of Man TT, so riders encounter the same corners again very quickly.
- Narrow country roads: Much of the lap is bordered by hedges, banks, walls and roadside furniture rather than the wide run-off areas found at a permanent circuit.
- Black's Jump: One of Cookstown's signature sections, where the road rises sharply enough for the fastest motorcycles to become light or airborne.
- Rapid direction changes: Sections such as McAdoo Bends demand accuracy because riders carry high speed while working with the shape and bumps of normal roads.
Racing and benchmarks
- Outright lap record: 1:22.047 - Michael Dunlop, 2026, averaging 92.142 mph.
- Superbike and Open: The fastest large-capacity motorcycles and the classes most likely to challenge the outright lap record.
- Supersport: Middleweight machines that can still average around 90 mph over the Orritor lap.
- Supertwins: Lightweight twin-cylinder motorcycles that often produce very close racing.
- Moto3 and Classic racing: Smaller modern machines and older motorcycles add variety to the race programme.
Why go?
Cookstown gives spectators a very different experience from racing at a permanent circuit. Riders compete on roads that normally carry everyday traffic, passing hedges, houses and junctions at racing speed with very little space between the motorcycle and the edge of the course.
Its short lap also makes the racing easy to follow. The leading riders return every minute and a half or so, while a full meeting contains numerous classes and races rather than a single headline event.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Black's Jump: One of the circuit's signature spectator areas, where the changing road level shows just how fast the motorcycles are travelling.
- Orritor Crossroads: A popular viewing point with plenty of action and an official grandstand area.
- Gortin Corner: Another established spectator area where riders can be watched negotiating one of the course's major corners.
- Start and finish straight: Ideal for race starts, the chequered flag and seeing the motorcycles accelerating at close range.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to the Cookstown 100 (Orritor Circuit)
Plan your trip: driving is usually the easiest way to reach the Cookstown 100. The race takes place on closed public roads around Orritor, just outside Cookstown, so arrive early and be in your spectator area before the roads close.
Getting there by car
- From Belfast: follow the M1 west towards Dungannon, then take the A29 towards Cookstown. In Cookstown, follow signs towards Orritor Road and any temporary race-day directions.
- From Dublin: travel north towards Armagh and Dungannon, then follow the A29 to Cookstown.
- From the north: approach Cookstown via Magherafelt and Moneymore, then follow local signs towards the Orritor area.
- Arrive early: once the circuit roads close, normal access is restricted and you may not be able to drive to your chosen viewing area.
Bus & public transport
- From Belfast: Translink Goldliner service 209 connects Belfast Grand Central Station with Cookstown.
- From Antrim: Translink also operates services towards Cookstown, providing another option for visitors travelling from the Belfast International Airport side of Northern Ireland.
- From Cookstown: the circuit is outside the town centre, so allow time for the final part of your journey by taxi or on foot where permitted.
- Return journey: check the last bus before travelling. Racing and road closures can continue into the evening.
Public transport gets you to Cookstown rather than directly to a spectator position, so plan the final part of your journey before race day.
Road closures
- This is a real-road circuit: Orritor Road and surrounding roads are temporarily closed to normal traffic so they can become the race track.
- Be in position early: road-closing times are published for each year's practice and race days and should be treated as an important part of your travel plan.
- Do not enter the live circuit: once roads are closed, never walk, park or stand in areas reserved for racing, emergency access or run-off.
Parking
- Check the current spectator information: parking areas and packages can change from one year to another.
- Do not park on the circuit: roads inside the closure area must remain clear for racing and emergency access.
- Private parking: local landowners may provide parking near spectator areas during the event. Follow signs and staff instructions.
- Expect a walk: even with nearby parking, you may need to walk to your viewing area, so wear suitable footwear.
Spectator areas
- Use approved areas only: much of the land beside the Orritor Circuit is privately owned.
- Spectator packages: the organising club offers access arrangements for approved viewing areas on private property.
- Free viewing: some viewing may be possible from behind barriers at the outer boundaries of the road-closure area, although these positions can be farther from the racing.
- Follow marshals: prohibited areas exist for safety and must remain empty throughout racing.
Do not enter fields, gardens or other private property unless you have permission from the landowner or access through an official spectator arrangement.
Accessibility
- Plan ahead: this is a rural road-racing venue rather than a purpose-built circuit, so paths, surfaces and viewing areas can vary considerably.
- Contact the organisers before travelling if you have limited mobility and need advice about the most suitable parking or spectator location.
- Allow for uneven ground: many viewing areas are beside country roads or on private fields rather than permanent grandstands.
What to know before you go
- Bring suitable clothing: you may spend most of the day outdoors, and weather conditions can change quickly.
- Wear sturdy footwear: grass, fields and roadside spectator areas can become wet or muddy.
- Bring hearing protection: motorcycle road racing is extremely loud, particularly when watching close to the course.
- Check before leaving home: road-closing times, parking arrangements and spectator access can all change from year to year.
About the Cookstown 100
The Cookstown 100 is one of Northern Ireland's historic motorcycle road races. It was first held in 1922 and today takes place on the compact 2.1-mile Orritor Circuit outside Cookstown.
Unlike racing at a permanent motorsport venue, the course is made from everyday public roads that are temporarily closed for practice and racing. That gives the event its distinctive road-racing atmosphere but also makes advance travel planning particularly important for spectators.
Always check the Cookstown & District Motorcycle Club's latest spectator information before travelling for current road closures, parking, viewing areas and event timings.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around the Cookstown 100 (County Tyrone, Northern Ireland)
The Cookstown 100 brings high-speed motorcycle road racing to the country lanes around Orritor, just outside Cookstown. Away from the racing, visitors can explore forest parks, historic houses, ancient Irish sites and the area's fascinating linen-making heritage.
Family-friendly highlights near the course
- Drum Manor Forest Park: A great place to give younger visitors some space after a noisy race day, with woodland trails, ponds, gardens and a children's play area.
- Wellbrook Beetling Mill: See how water power was used to finish linen at this restored working mill beside the Ballinderry River. Guided visits make the process easy to understand.
- Lissan House: Explore a historic country estate surrounded by woodland and riverside walks. Check tour times before travelling if you want to see inside the house.
Culture hits & rainy-day winners
- Wellbrook Beetling Mill: The machinery and huge waterwheel provide an unusual introduction to the linen industry that once played a major role across Ulster.
- Cookstown centre: Head into town for shops, cafés and the Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre when you need a break from the countryside.
- Lissan House: The house and estate tell the story of the Staples family, who lived here for centuries.
Eat & drink away from the racing
- Cookstown: The town centre is the easiest choice for cafés, restaurants, pubs and takeaway food before or after racing.
- Try an Ulster fry: This filling breakfast usually brings together bacon, sausage, egg and distinctive soda and potato breads.
- Keep it simple on race day: Road closures can make journeys slower, so plan your main meal around the racing schedule rather than expecting to leave and return quickly.
Get outdoors around Cookstown
- Drum Manor Forest Park: Choose from several waymarked trails through woodland, gardens and around the wildfowl lake.
- Tullaghoge Fort: Walk up to this historic hilltop site, once an important royal centre and inauguration place associated with the O'Neill dynasty.
- Davagh Forest: Head farther towards the Sperrins for forest walking and mountain-bike trails if you want something more energetic.
Weather can change quickly in County Tyrone, so waterproof layers and footwear suitable for wet grass or muddy paths are useful even in spring.
Easy trips if you have more time
- Beaghmore Stone Circles: Explore a mysterious Bronze Age landscape of stone circles, alignments and cairns in the foothills of the Sperrins.
- Tullaghoge Fort: Combine the fort with Cookstown and Lissan House for an easy heritage-focused half day.
- OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory: Head towards Davagh Forest for astronomy displays and, when conditions cooperate, exceptionally dark night skies.
- Lough Neagh: Travel east towards the lake for waterside scenery and historic sites including Ardboe High Cross.
Good to know during Cookstown 100 weekend
- This is a public-road circuit: The Orritor course only becomes a race track when roads are formally closed. At other times these are normal working roads with local traffic.
- Road closures matter: Once racing begins, moving between parts of the course can become difficult or impossible until roads reopen. Choose your viewing area in advance.
- Follow marshal instructions: Road racing takes place very close to hedges, walls and roadside property. Stay only in permitted spectator areas and never cross a live course.
- Bring hearing protection: Racing motorcycles are extremely loud at close range. Ear defenders are strongly recommended for children.
- Prepare for the weather: Bring waterproof clothing, practical shoes and an extra layer even if the morning starts dry and mild.
Race dates, road closures, classes, spectator areas and attraction opening hours can change - check current official information before travelling.