The grandstand at the former Phoenix Park racecourse in Dublin was extensively damaged by fire last night.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been established and gardai have preserved the scene for technical examination.
Three pumps from Tara Street Fire Station attended the blaze which began at around 11 p.m.
It is believed a large part of the stand, which once contained bars, a nightclub, and other facilities, was destroyed in the incident.
The racecourse is owned by the company Sonas, which has plans to develop it.
The last race was held at the popular track on October 13th, 1990, ending 88 years of racing.
It had been intended to close the track at the end of the 1991 season, but it was moved back following a decision by the Turf Club to transfer the Phoenix Champion Stakes to Leopardstown. This came after the Cartier Million had been moved to the Curragh for the next year.
A rendition of the last post was given at the close of the Cartier Million, a prestigious racing fixtures promoted by Mr Vincent O'Brien, Mr Robert Sangster, Mr John Magnier and Mr Michael Smurfit.
The failure of their investment in the racecourse was blamed on the dwindling attendances.
Dublin County Council refused to grant permission for a £100 million housing, shopping and hotel complex proposed by its owners. One month after the racecourse closed, An Bord Pleanala turned down an appeal by the owners against the decision.
Since then, the site has been the subject of controversial proposals, including a casino.
The Phoenix Park racecourse was opened in 1902 by a group of English and Irish horse racing enthusiasts. Its first managing director was Mr J. H. Peard, whose son Harry took over the business in the late 1930s. In the 1950, Ms Fanny Peard took over and was joined the following year by Mr Teddy Tighe. It was during this era that trainers such as Mr Paddy Prendergast and Mr Vincent O'Brien began to dominate the Park's biggest race, the 1500.
Mr O'Brien and Mr Sangster became the main shareholders in a syndicate that bought the track from Mr Patrick Gallagher's liquidator, after his company collapsed in 1982.