Clann Uí Dhroma are delighted to announce that this year’s recipient of The Seamus Ó Droma Award is James Veale. Presented inaugurally in 2024 to Fr. Michael Enright and last year, posthumously, to Jimmy Costin, James’ name will be the third name on the Eamonn Terry-designed Criostal na Rinne trophy.
There’s no finer contributor to athletics, from local to international, than James Veale. From the halcyon days of his young athletics career in Dungarvan and Abbeyside Parish Athletics Club to his central role in West Waterford Athletic Club from its inception and every day since- James has become synonymous with running and all it encompasses. James was an outstanding athlete in his own right, with fantastic PB’s from short road races up to marathon distances. His documentation of athletics events, both with his words and photographs, are immeasurable to our community.
For decades, James has attended athletics meetings (both track and cross country) the world over and has rarely, if ever, missed a National, European, World or Olympic athletics championship in the last few decades. From supporting those closest to him, namely his daughter Kate, to those from WWAC, surrounding clubs and all in the Irish vest, James has given a lifetime of support and expertise to all concerned-and always with a smile on his face.
He was a great friend of Seamus down through the years and was instrumental, along with Gerry Cantwell, in the formation of the Cunniger Run/Rás na Rinne. The Ó Droma are indebted to James for all he has done in the promotion of athletics over the years, and we would kindly invite you all to attend when we present James with the 2026 Seamus Ó Droma Award.
Clann Uí Dhroma will present James with his award in Halla Pobail na Rinne after the prizegiving of Rás na Rinne on Friday 24th July. James & Bríd, family and friends, will gather to celebrate his lifelong involvement in athletics and, maybe for one night only, someone else might hold the camera!
Tá na mórtha fáilte roimh mhuintir na háite agus an chlann mhór lúthchleasaíochta chuig na hócáide álainne seo. DÓD.
All at West Waterford Athletic Club would like to congratulate James on his award, thank him and his family for his many years of contribution to athletics in Dungarvan and West Waterford. Please God soon we will soon see James dream of a running track for Dungarvan and West Waterford come to fruition. It will indeed be a fitting legacy for the next generation.
