Two students from Carlow and one from Kilkenny have received internships as part of the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Summer Internship Programme, commencing a ten-week work placement this week. Barry Doyle from Bagenalstown, will work in the HRI CARE Department and Orla Byrne from Hacketstown has been assigned to work in Leopardstown Racecourse.
Niamh Browne from Kilkenny is also a recipient and will be assigned to work with TOTE Ireland
This is fourth year of the HRI Student Summer Internship Programme which was launched in November 2013. Almost 300 applications were received from throughout the country with 25 selected for interview and six positions allocated. This programme is a unique opportunity for students to expand their industry contacts, broaden their knowledge and gain valuable experience in all aspects of the racing industry including marketing, communications, digital media, sales, racecourse operations, race day planning and event management.
Barry Doyle from Bagenalstown has just completed his first year of Media and Public Relations at Carlow IT and also holds a Diploma in Digital Marketing and Strategy from Dublin Business School. Barry gained four years’ experience with Bambury Bookmakers and since returning to college in 2016, has worked freelance with KCLR96fm radio station whilst developing his own sports media channel, specialising in horse racing.
Barry will work in HRI’s CARE Department, helping with management and maintenance of the workinracing.ie website and social media platforms. This will involve helping to develop relevant content to be featured across CARE’s web and digital channels.
On commencing his placement, Barry said: “Having completed my first year of Media and PR at Carlow IT, I am thrilled to be named as one of Horse Racing Ireland’s interns for 2017. Given my work experience along with a return to education in 2016, an internship position with HRI appears to be a stepping stone at just the right time, enabling me to learn plenty and gain valuable experience in an area that I’ve always wanted to work. As the CARE intern I aim to showcase my digital, marketing and online skillset the best that I can, growing an online presence whilst educating racing workers and the wider public on opportunities within the industry. I can’t wait to get started, making the most of these ten weeks.”
Orla Byrne from Hacketstown is currently studying Agricultural Science-Equine at UCD and is a committee member and incoming PRO of the UCD Horse Racing Society. Orla is also a qualified dog groomer and runs her own grooming business in her spare time.
As part of her role at Leopardstown Racecourse, Orla will be required to assist in many areas of racecourse operations such as marketing, sales, social media, website maintenance, raceday operations and the promotion of events over the summer season.
Commenting on her placement, Orla stated: “I have a passion for horse racing and am delighted to have the opportunity to gain experience in the industry I love. The internship is a pathway for me to become an integral part of the Irish racing community. Leopardstown is a prestigious racecourse and I cannot wait to be part of the team that organises such fantastic racedays. I look forward to what I can learn from their top class operation.”
Horse Racing Ireland has appointed six interns in total for the summer season of 2017. Three of the student interns will work in the HRI-owned racecourses: Fairyhouse, Leopardstown and Tipperary and three will be based in the HRI head office at Ballymany, Kildare, in the Marketing and CARE Departments and one in TOTE Ireland.
