Christian secures internship spot at Leopardstown
A Wicklow man will be hoping for plenty of good form as he takes up an internship post at Leopardstown Racecourse this summer.
Christian Dodd from Ashford was selected as the Leopardstown student intern as part of the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Internship Programme and began his placement last Wednesday, June 8.
Christian has just completed a Bachelor of Business in Entrepreneurship and Management in the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT). He has a background in Pony Club and show-jumping and has a strong interest in rugby, having played for the Blackrock College, Senior Cup Team in 2011 and 2012.
During his four years in college, Christian also worked as a rugby coach for second year students in his former school.
‘I’m very excited about my internship with HRI at Leopardstown Racecourse,’ he said.
‘I have been following all the great racing here since I was a small boy in pony club. At our school graduation, which was held in Leopardstown, our Dean spoke about how important it is try and combine work with your interests and passions.
‘ To me the opportunity of working with in the Irish racing industry is as close as I could get to this.’
As part of his role at Leopardstown Racecourse this summer, Christian will assist with the organisation of race meetings and the promotion of events such as the Bulmers Live at Leopardstown music evenings and Longines Irish Champions Weekend.
Pat Keogh, CEO of Leopardstown Racecourse said: ‘We’re delighted to welcome Christian as an intern to Leopardstown and we hope to provide him with some great experience during the summer at Bulmers Live at Leopardstown.
‘As a man that has grown up in our local community, we expect him to hit the ground running. It will be a busy summer as we expect to set a new record for our racing and music festival from June to August.
‘Interns at Leopardstown enjoy a multi-disciplinary experience from marketing to event management to digital and racing operations at one of Europe’s premium racecourses,’ Mr Keogh added. THERE’S expected to be high drama at Kilmacurragh Gardens this weekend and that has nothing to do with the colourful flora displays!
The National Botanic Gardens are due to play host to ‘Angels in the Park’, a powerful, funny and inspiring series of five ten-minute plays. This is the second time the outdoor production will visit the venue this year, with last month’s performances attracting a considerable crowd.
The plays include Fairview’s Finest Dancer by Patrick O’Sullivan, Breeze And Onion Crisps by Sharon McCoy, The University of Grief by Shane Connolly, Forgiveness by Owen Fitzpatrick and Food of Love by Lorna Kelly Dalton.
Presented by Shiva Productions, these plays explore themes of mortality, family and the human need to connect and were carefully selected and written by new emerging Irish talent.
They will feature talented actors including Des Nealon, Joe Purcell, Margaret Toomey, Geraldine McAlinden, Rob Harrington, Muireann Darcy, Michael Heavey and Charleigh Bailey.
The plays will go ahead come rain or shine, so anyone thinking of attending should dress appropriately and bring either a brolly or a picnic rug.
‘Angels in the Park’ will be held at the National Botanic Gardens at Kilmacurragh at 2.30 p.m. this Sunday, June 19. Tickets cost €5 and can be booked by calling 0404 48844.