Have Your Say: Public consultation on the Curragh Plains to open next Monday Long-awaited public consultation to finally get underway Reporter: '); '); A long-awaited public consultation on the future of the Curragh Plains will get underway next Monday. The process will seek views on the best way to preserve and manage the historic plains, which are a valued leisure amenity to Kildare people. The 5,000 acre Curragh is also home to the Defence Forces Training Centre and the Curragh Racecourse. The protection and preservation of the Curragh has a matter of concern to local politicians - both councillors and TDs - in recent years, who have been pushing for the consultation and a subsequent conservation management plan to get underway.