I GREW up on a farm in Co Limerick, the middle child of seven and was lucky enough to have ponies. Married to Tom Maher, we have four children – Katie, David, Mary and Paul – who also love horses, hounds, hunting and all that goes with Pony Club life.
I’ve been the secretary of the Traditional Irish Horse Association (TIHA) for the past 21 years and am also secretary to the Limerick Show Society management committee.
1. When did your interest in horses begin?
My Dad enrolled us in the County Limerick Hunt Branch of the Pony Club at a young age and I have been involved in Pony Club activities for most of my life. Having spent some time as District Commissioner and camp organiser, my summers were always busy since!
2. How did you become involved in Limerick Show?
As a student in secondary school, I spent two summers working in the horse section in the Limerick Show office and I have never managed to detach myself from the show since! As a young Pony Clubber Mrs. Marigold Furnell was our D.C [District Commissioner]. I got on very well with her and she took me under her wing.
3. And then, another voluntary role, this time with the Hunter Improvement Society of Ireland?
Marigold and her husband Major Furnell were active members of the Hunter Improvement Society (the forerunner to the TIHA) and the Limerick Show Society and I was roped into both organisations from an early age.
4. Why was the Hunter Improvement Society set up?
The Hunter Improvement Society (HIS) wished to address the declining numbers of traditionally bred horses in Ireland at the time. Several people in the Society were also on the Limerick Show horse committee and this committee, with the help of Thady Ryan, Major Furnell, Donie O’Brien and George Kennedy secured Aughinish Alumina as the main sponsor for the Limerick Lady championship. These selected traditionally bred two-year-old fillies were then invited back the following year as three-year-olds, in-foal or with a foal at foot by a TIH sire to compete for the Limerick Matron championship.
5. Were these championships well supported by traditional Irish breeders?
Yes, in those days we had over 30 fillies in the Limerick Lady and similar numbers in the Matron Championship, the rings were full. These championships were set up to incentivise and support breeders of traditional Irish horses. The prize money was fantastic and was a ‘just reward’ for the best of TIH breeders. Aughinish Alumina, under the guidance of Pat Lynch and with the able assistance of Liam Meade put on a wonderful show for these prestigious championships. The ‘Aughinish fillies’, as they were called, were highly sought after.
6. Who organised these championships?
I spent several spring/summer evenings helping Marigold Furnell and Donie O’Brien, both sadly no longer with us, organising judges for the 26 Limerick Lady nationwide qualifiers and all the paperwork that went with it. Organising the rosettes for horse section is a job I still do with the late Donie’s wife, Pat O’Brien.
7. When was the HIS follow-up, the Traditional Irish Horse Association, formed?
In 2012, the Hunter Improvement Society, under the chairmanship of Michael MacEwan was subsumed into the Traditional Irish Horse Association. Michael is now the President of TIHA and Hugh Leonard is chairperson.
8. Why did you get involved with the TIHA?
I have always loved traditional Irish horses and seemed to be attracted to ‘like-minded’ people.
9. Limerick Show is one of many to cancel this year, are there any TIHA events going ahead?
Unfortunately, Covid-19 has put a stop to our activities for 2020, but the TIHA council is taking this time out to finalise our strategic plan for 2021-2026. A huge part of this will be our Breeding Plan, which we are hoping to roll out in 2021.
10. What drives the TIHA members and breeders to promote and carry on with traditional bloodlines?
Our TIHA council are firm believers in the uniqueness of the traditional Irish horse. We are passionate about the need to preserve and ‘ring fence’ these exceptional and valuable bloodlines to ensure they continue to be a major player in the sport horse industry in Ireland and around the world.
11. Apart from this unusual year, what other challenges face the TIHA?
Sourcing sponsorship is always a huge challenge for us. We have great plans and ideas, but like everything – they will need financial support to make them a reality.
12. Do you have set hours for TIHA duties or even with a voluntary role, is your phone ever switched off?
No, I have no set hours, all of my TIHA work is done in my spare time. Modern technology allows me to juggle my day job, (a tutor in the School of Education in NUIG), my family life and TIHA commitments.
13. How are you dealing with lockdown?
Zoom has been my ‘new friend’ during lockdown. It has allowed us to continue with staff meetings, assessing students online, TIHA Council meetings, etc. I have really enjoyed the time at home with my family, gardening, reading and catching up on a long list of jobs!
14. Favourite hobby?
Reading.
15. Social media – yes or no?
I am not a fan, but I totally realise its value as a tool and platform connecting people, ideas and products with such a global reach.
16. Inspiration, who inspires you?
Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to have met and become friends with some wonderful people, all who have inspired and influenced me in different ways. My parents, Donie O’Brien, Lady Hemphill, Jack Powell, Michael MacEwan and Hugh Leonard are just some of the standout ones.
17. Favourite getaway corner of the world?
Kenmare, Co. Kerry.
18. Your wish for the future?
To attract young people with vision and energy into the TIHA and Limerick Show who will be aware of the value of these organisations and of the community spirit they can generate at local and national level in such a fast-moving world.
19. One must-have gadget?
Mobile phone.
20. Who would you vote as ‘Person of the Year 2020’?
Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer and chair of the National Public Health Emergency Team who has guided Ireland through this dreadful pandemic with such expertise, care and dedication. We can only wish him, his wife and children all the very best as they face their own difficult challenges. Go raibh mile maith agat, Dr Holohan.