Amidst the excitement of the annual Galway Race Festival at Ballybrit, two of its most famous supporters left the track to receive honorary degrees this Wednesday.
Top trainers, Dermot Weld and Jim Bolger were both conferred with Degree of Doctor of Arts (honoris causa) at NUI Galway for their outstanding contribution to the world of Irish horseracing. The enormous benefit they have brought to Galway through their long-standing association with the famous racing festival was acknowledged during the conferring ceremony.
Dermot Weld has been the leading trainer at Galway for many years, while Jim Bolger has also registered many winners. Both are very well-known to many Clare racing fans, who are strong supporters of the Galway festival.
Meanwhile, it will be all glamour and glitz at the Ballybrit venue on this Thursday for Ladies’ Day. The Anthony Ryan’s Best Dressed Lady, Best Hat & Wear Irish Competition boasts a prize package of €20,000.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.