ON Easter Saturday, we are staging the Down Syndrome Centre Cork Raceday at Cork Racecourse.

With my own son Danny being born with Down Syndrome, it is a cause that is especially close to my own heart. Hopefully we will get a big attendance on the day and, both locals and racegoers from all over Ireland will turn out in numbers to show their support.

I am from Doneraile; the recognised home of steeplechasing. The story is often told of how the sport got its name after two men raced their horses from the steeple of one church to a second.

I never did any riding myself but I would always have had an interest in racing from a young age. One of my earliest memories is of the whole family taking our annual trip to the Irish Grand National every year.

We had an aunt who lived in Dublin and we used to stay with her. She also had a horse in training with Con Collins. That mare won a few races but when she retired, the first foal she bred was crooked. A vet in Kildare recommended limestone ground, so she came down here to us.

Both the Kildorrery and Doneraile point-to-points would have been big days in our calendar. The local Duhallow Hunt also used our land.

Outdoor life

Growing up on a dairy farm, I always loved the outdoor life. My father bought me 25 sheep out of my confirmation money. While he helped, the sheep were my responsibility and I enjoyed looking after them. I would have spent most of my weekends and summer holidays working at home. I did spend one summer towards the end of secondary school working for a silage contractor.

After my Leaving Certificate, it was straight to Rockwell College, where I did my Green Certificate in Agriculture. I boarded up there for the year and actually shared a room with Joe Harding, brother of Brian and Marie. It was the year that Imperial Call won the Gold Cup for Fergie Sutherland and, I think the whole of Cork backed the horse!

After Rockwell College, I did a one-year City and Guilds course in Integrated Land Management and Rural Tourism in Nantwich in Cheshire. I then went to America, where I spent 10 years working behind a bar.

I came home in 2009, as my parents were getting older. It’s a decision I’ve never regretted. My father passed away in 2013, and my mother five years later. I was happy that I got to spend that bit of time with them.

Cork Racecourse

Just before my mother died, I had started doing a bit of casual work at Cork Racecourse. I know that she was delighted with that. At first, I would just have been out on the track, fixing up hurdles and fences damaged on race days.

That led to some painting and power washing and, later work around the stable yard. I was made permanent in the racecourse in 2022.

I have the farm at home leased out but we keep chickens, hens and ducks. We have an honesty box for Danny outside the front gate. Danny loves chasing the birds around and if any of them are unlucky enough to get caught, there are feathers flying everywhere!

In 2018, after my mother died, myself, my brothers and sister organised a fundraiser at Cork Racecourse to raise money for Marymount Hospice. My mother received great treatment and care during her time at the hospice and we wanted to give something back. Andrew Hogan was on board from the start and the race day was well supported.

Down Syndrome Centre

Having had previous experience of organising such an event, I was keen to do something similar for the Down Syndrome Centre Cork. I approached our new manager Eoghan O’Grady with the suggestion about a year and a half ago. He was fully supportive of the race day and we began to plan ahead.

With almost 18 months to the day itself, it gave Danny time to develop. I can’t thank Eoghan, the board and, everyone at Cork Racecourse enough for their support. Carey-Ann Lordan, who looked after all the PR work, has been brilliant.

Danny Mullins did a bit with us on social media prior to the launch and we got a great photo of ‘the three Danny’s.’ Doneraile jockey Darragh O’Keeffe came out to the house to do a video with Danny. Local businesses around Mallow, Doneraile and throughout Cork have also really got behind us.

All 100% of gate receipts on Easter Saturday will go directly to the Down Syndrome Centre Cork. We have a marquee on site and a petting farm for kids. Cork Racecourse is supported by some of the top trainers in the country and our new straight seven-furlong track is something we are very proud of.

Worthy cause

People who turn up on the day are guaranteed a great day’s racing and entertainment. All I ask is that you buy a ticket and come support a very worthy cause. I know some people are standoffish or can be a little bit awkward but Danny just loves people. The more, the merrier. It’s just great for him to mingle and play along and it’s great for other kids. It all just helps his steps in life really. So, if you see us on the day, please come up and say hello.

Danny is an absolute joy and the same as having any child. He wants to learn, play and make friends. He has had some medical issues but as he is growing older these are fewer. We do worry for the future. Services are limited and intervention and therapies are vital.

School placements

Although Danny will not begin school until 2027, we already worry about getting a school placement suitable to his needs. Availing of the extra therapies in the DSCC is very important. More localised service availability and appropriate school placements suitable to the needs of children with Down Syndrome are critical. As is greater access to therapies and services to support Danny’s needs.

Waiting times for medical appointments and procedures is also a huge issue, as is the case for all families and children. There is a Children’s Disability team in Mallow but given their resources this is limited for early intervention, but the real worry is that services for school-age children is said to be even more difficult to access.

Down Syndrome Centre Cork provides therapies such as physio, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy at a reduced rate for children attending the centre. Danny has attended physio and continues to attend both speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. We are very happy with these therapies and the support we get.

Parent interaction

Danny has also attended sing and sign groups, joint therapy groups as well as other groups. The Centre also organises many different events throughout the year which we also attend where possible. The Centre fully supports parent interaction and coffee mornings and it is great to be able to meet other parents of children with Down Syndrome, ask questions, share knowledge and experience and share stories. The Centre also includes grandparents and siblings.

The centre is a non-government funded organisation so they rely completely on fundraisers and donations to provide the above to children with Down Syndrome and their families.

www.dscentrecork.ie

Dan was in conversation with John O’Riordan.