PAUL Kavanagh will be laid to rest in Tuam Cemetery following his funeral Mass at 11am in Tuam, Co Galway today [Saturday].

The 20-year-old jockey died following a car accident on Christmas Eve near Bruree in Co Limerick.

From Corofin in Co Galway, Kavanagh has been working for trainer Enda Bolger and rode a winner for the yard last summer. He also rode a winner on the flat at Carlisle in 2023 for trainer David Loughnane.

Many of the tributes paid to him this week referred to his polite and respectful manner, and to him being a credit to his parents, Kevin and Allison. He leaves behind his sister Grace and brother Ryan.

A past pupil of St Colman’s National School in Corofin and St Jarlath’s College in Tuam, he was fondly remembered by teachers and classmates alike. Before committing fully to racing, he was also a keen hurler with Sylane Hurling Club.

A minute’s silence was observed before racing at Limerick on St Stephen’s Day, and jockeys wore black armbands at Leopardstown, Limerick, Down Royal and Kempton.

David Loughnane posted on social media: “Paul was one of the nicest lads I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, with an infectious smile that would light up every room he walked into. The world would be a much happier place with more Paul Kavanaghs in it. Such a credit to his family.”

Gary O’Brien of Racing TV posted on RIP.ie: “I had the pleasure of interviewing Paul after he won on Gimme A Buzz at Clonmel. He seemed such a lovely lad and you could see just how much it meant to him that the hard work was starting to pay off.”

His death notice said “his eyes carried a light that no darkness could dim.”

Irish Injured Jockeys said: “Paul had been attending our facility to get himself back from an injury to do the job he adored. He was so grateful for our help and, as is very evident from all the tributes to him, he was an extremely popular and decent young man.”

His funeral Mass takes place in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Tuam.