Galway’s Aoife Raftery Honoured with Inaugural Rosemary Smith Award Craughwell rally driver Aoife Raftery has made history by receiving the inaugural Rosemary Smith Award at the Motorsport Ireland Awards Luncheon held in Dublin. This prestigious accolade, named after Ireland’s most iconic female motorsport figure, Rosemary Smith, celebrates Raftery’s outstanding contributions to motorsport and her embodiment of Smith’s passion and trailblazing spirit. The award, created in memory of Smith, who passed away on December 5 last year, aims to honor female competitors who continue her legacy. In one of her final acts, Smith presented a special award to the Royal Irish Automobile Club (RIAC). In collaboration with the Motorsport Ireland Women’s Commission, the RIAC established the annual award as a tribute to Smith’s extraordinary career and enduring impact. Rosemary Walsh, Chair of the Motorsport Ireland Women’s Commission, presented the award and highlighted its significance. “Rosemary was a trailblazer who inspired many with her remarkable career, including seven Rally Monte Carlo starts and her victory as the overall winner of the Golden Tulip Rally,” said Walsh. “She was not only a pioneer but a true ambassador for motorsport. This award is dedicated to her and goes to someone who embodies her spirit, talent, and tenacity.” Raftery, the first female driver to join the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, has competed in over 40 rallies across Ireland, Britain, and Europe, following in Smith’s footsteps. Speaking at the ceremony, she expressed her gratitude for the honor. “I am delighted to win the Rosemary Smith Award,” Raftery said. “It is an honor to be the first person to get my name on the trophy, and it means a lot. Rosemary inspired many with her achievements, and she was someone who I looked up to. This award means we can honor Rosemary’s legacy and inspire future generations of women into motorsport. It is quite poignant too, as her anniversary is on Thursday this week.” Raftery’s growing reputation in motorsport was recently solidified with her selection into the top 15 of the FIA Beyond Rally Women’s Talent Spotting Programme, showcasing her as one of the sport’s rising stars. The award presentation was a standout moment during the annual Motorsport Ireland ceremony, hosted by RTÉ’s John Kenny. The event recognized more than 30 exceptional competitors across various motorsport disciplines, celebrating both domestic and international achievements. Motorsport Ireland President Aiden Harper praised the day’s honorees: “What an incredible day for our sport. Amazing sportspeople were rewarded for their tireless work, as competitors, officials, and organizers. We have rewarded some of the finest young driving talents in Ireland once again, as well as giving back to our volunteers with the FIA Volunteers pins and Motorsport Ireland Presidents Awards.” The Rosemary Smith Award not only honours a pioneering legend but also sets a powerful example for future generations of women in motorsport, with Aoife Raftery leading the charge. Aoife Raftery is supported by: Broderick Motorsport | Des Lyons Plant | Kenny (Peugeot) Galway | O’Neill O’Malley Architects and Project Managers | Loughrea Auto Parts | Quinn Hardware | KG Motorsport | Lateralus B | Kerry Motorsport...