The Manley Memorial Trophy for the International Driver of the Year went to McLaren Racing Junior Driver Alex Dunne, from Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly. Dunne, who is a former winner of the Sexton Trophy Young Racing Driver of the Year, has been competing in the FIA Formula 2 Series this year for Rodin Motorsport as well as outings in Formula 1 free-practice sessions at the Austrian and Italian Grands Prix with the McLaren F1 team. Dunne was unable to attend the awards this year due to his commitments for the final round of the Formula 2 Championship being held in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
The Neil Shanahan Memorial Trophy was awarded to the 11-year-old Danny Dempsey, from Dunboyne, Co. Meath, who was crowned 2025 Motorsport Ireland National Cadet Karting Champion.
The Ivan Webb Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Contribution to Irish Motorsport went to Noelle Horan, who was rewarded for her tireless and ongoing work within Irish motorsport at a commission level, where she has been a stalwart among the Women In Motorsport commission, as well as acting in her role as secretary of Birr & District Motor Club, where she is a familiar and friendly face to all across the sport.
The JC Millard Memorial Award for Clubman of the Year went to Adam Farrelly, who was honoured for his outstanding dedication to his club, Kildare Motor Club, throughout the years. Adam is a member of the Motorsport Ireland Kart Commission and has acted as Clerk of the Course and Deputy Clerk of the Course at events this year in both Karting and Trials, as well as a competitor in clubman events like autotests and production car trials.
The Mick Merrigan Memorial Award represents and celebrates ‘the Spirit of Irish Motorsport’ and was given to Paddy Fay.
The Rosemary Smith Trophy was presented to Nicole Drought by the Chairman of the RIAC Arthur Collier and Women In Motorsport Commission chair Rosemary Walsh.
In recognition of their voluntary efforts for the sport, Pat Sheil, Winnie Sheil, Eamon McGee, Niall Murphy, Pat Healy, Ger Hayes, David Pain, and Jim Callaghan (RIP) received FIA Volunteer Pins from Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper.
Motorsport Ireland President’s Awards, which celebrate the achievements of motorsport clubs, organisations and contributors, were also handed out. Wexford Motor Club were honoured for their excellent work within diversity and inclusion. The best use of public relations went to Birr & District Motor Club. Maria O’Donoghue was selected for her work with encouraging youth participation. Killarney & District Motor Club were selected for innovation, and Limerick Motor Club took an award for their improvements in environmental and sustainability matters. Finally, ALMC were commended on their ability to work with local authorities, a vital aspect of motorsport.
And the Motorsport Ireland Hall of Fame received a new inductee in the form of John Coyne, an incredible competitor turned patron of the sport. Coyne’s legacy spans decades, with his 2023 excursion in Rally Finland making him the oldest Irish driver to enter a World Rally Championship event at 73 years old. The 1982 Irish Tarmac Rally Champion has entered over 800 events both in his career both at home and abroad and is a key piece of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy framework, providing both support and mentorship for the young drivers.
Speaking after the awards, Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper said:
“This year’s awards really represent what this sport is all about. Our incredible community has celebrated awards given to those as young as seven years old, reaching up all the way to 87 years old. It’s a day where we thank our amazing sportspeople for their effort and their work and it’s important we keep a day in our calendars to celebrate these remarkable achievements. Whether it’s our Young Driver awards or our FIA Volunteers pins and President’s Awards, it is truly a testament to the world class level we have reached in Irish motorsport.”
