It was confirmed this week that Grá Chocolates has agreed a two year sponsorship deal with the Galway Races, but the partnership’s origin is based on a historic connection with the racecourse.
Based in Galway and founded by head chocolatier and award-winning pastry chef Gráinne Mullins, granddaughter of Captain Luke Mullins, Grá Chocolates has agreed a deal to sponsor the fifth race on Saturday July 30 ‘The Grá Chocolate’s Maiden’.
As part of this new partnership, Grá Chocolates will produce a limited-edition box of Galway Races inspired chocolates that will be available to buy online pre-races via their website www.grachocolates.com and available to buy onsite in Ballybrit during the seven-day Summer Festival.
There are five flavours to choose from, each bespoke chocolate inspired by memories and flavours of the Galway Races through the years from members of Grainne’s family, including Irish racehorse trainer Willie Mullins, his mother Maureen, Grainne’s father Eric, and CEO of Galway Racecourse, Michael Moloney.
“The Galway Races has always had a special place in my heart,” Gráinne Mullins says. “It’s a place to gather and celebrate, a week that makes the city come alive and showcases the best of Galway. I grew up attending the Galway Races with my grandfather, Captain Luke Mullins so to be able to be a part of it with Grá Chocolates is really an honour.
“Creating the bespoke box of Grá Chocolates for the Galway Races made so many of my childhood memories come alive and I hope visitors to the Galway Races enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.”
Galway Racecourse CEO Michael Moloney said: “We’re delighted to welcome Grá Chocolates on board our race week programme. Gráinne and the Mullins family have a deep connection with the Galway Races so it’s extra special.
“The quality of Grainne’s business, her expertise and growth has been phenomenal and a real testimony to her hard work and ambition. This sponsorship deal is a great synergy and we’re excited to have a new and delicious brand like Grá Chocolates as part of our Summer Festival.”
