Heartbroken family of ‘treasured’ Irish jockey, 20, confirm funeral details after horrific Christmas crash amid tributes
‘He was a credit to his parents. I can’t imagine what they are going through’
A YOUNG jockey who died in a tragic car crash on Christmas Eve is to be laid to rest this weekend.
The racing community is in mourning following the heartbreaking loss of talented 20-year-old Paul Kavanagh on December 24.
The fatal collision happened at around 2am on Wednesday morning near Bruree in County Limerick, as he was hailed as “the most polite, well-mannered and well-brought-up young man”.
Now his devastated family have announced his funeral details and said the popular lad will be “forever loved and missed”.
Paul will be reposing at Grogan’s Funeral Home, Barrack Street, Tuam, on Friday from 5pm to 8pm, followed by removal to his home.
Requiem Mass will be held at 11.30 am on Saturday in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam, with burial afterwards in Tuam cemetery.
A notice on behalf of his loved ones read: “Our treasured Paul tragically passed away on 24th December 2025 following a car accident.
“Beloved grandson of the late Teresa Kavanagh and Mark and Bernie Carr.
“Paul will be forever loved and missed by his heartbroken parents Kevin and Alison, devoted sister and brother Grace and Ryan, his cherished grandad Martin, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, his wide circle of friends, his colleagues at Enda Bolger’s yard and the close-knit horse racing community.”
It added: “‘His eyes carried a light that no darkness could dim’.
“The Kavanagh family appreciate your support and solidarity at this time.”
Kavanagh, who was a native of Tuam, County Galway, has been riding for trainer Enda Bolger in recent years but has also worked with the likes of Eric McNamara and John McConnell.
Bolger was one of the first to react to the shocking news and hailed the conditional rider as “polite” and “well-mannered”.
He told the Racing Post: “We’re devastated. He was the most polite, well-mannered and well-brought-up young man we ever had anything to do with.
“He was a credit to his parents. I can’t imagine what they are going through.”
Fellow conditional jockey Aidan Kelly also paid tribute to Kavanagh.
‘SUCH A TRAGEDY’
He said: “He was a lovely young lad who was always looking for help. You couldn’t meet a nicer fellow.
“I want to send condolences to his family and to everybody in the weighing room; it’s such a shock to the system.
“He was quiet, you wouldn’t know he was there a lot of the time, but I used to meet him at the Curragh when he was working with Enda, and I’d always ask him about the horse he was riding. It’s such a tragedy.”
As a mark of respect towards Kavanagh, riders at all three St Stephen’s Day meetings across Limerick, Leopardstown and Down Royal wore black armbands.
In addition to that, a minute’s silence was observed by riders and punters alike at all three venues.
