RDS honours honorary life memberships for trainer and 'Irish Times' writer

RACEHORSE TRAINER John Oxx and science writer Dick Ahlstrom have followed in the footsteps of Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney by being awarded honorary life membership of the Royal Dublin Society (RDS).

Ahlstrom, the Irish Timesscience editor, and Oxx, trainer of Sea The Stars – which made racing history last year by winning six consecutive Group One races – were singled out for their significant contribution to Ireland and Irish life.

RDS president Dr Tony Scott said both men were worthy recipients of the award, which recognised people of distinction in the areas covered by the RDS’s activities – agriculture, arts, industry and science.

The citation for Ahlstrom said he had made a major contribution to the public understanding of science, and had promoted science and science policy through his articles in The Irish Times.

Born in Philadelphia, he moved to Ireland in the mid- 1970s to study for an MA in Anglo-Irish literature in UCD. He joined The Irish Timesin 1982, and was appointed science editor in 1997.

“He has a unique gift of presenting complex scientific research and technological developments in a form that can be clearly understood by a very wide newspaper audience,” the citation stated.

It highlighted Ahlstrom's work in revamping the RDS Boyle Medal, and in the establishment of the RDS /Irish TimesScience Today lectures and the RDS /Irish TimesIreland in 2030 lectures.

Oxx was awarded life membership in recognition of his outstanding professionalism as a trainer of world-class racehorses, and his deep understanding and unstinting generosity in helping others in promoting the racing industry.

The Co Kildare man qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1973 from UCD. He worked as an assistant to his father John and took over the trainer’s licence on his father’s death in 1979.

Oxx has also served as chairman of the National Stud and the Irish Racehorse Association.

The RDS introduced the honorary life membership award in 1981 to mark the society’s 250th anniversary. Past recipients include Ronnie Delany, Brian Friel and Dr Louis Le Brocquy.