I’M from Kilnacarrow, a small townland one mile from Ballinalee village, renowned for the Ballinalee Connemara Pony Show, and seven miles from Granard, where the prestigious agricultural show takes place.
My parents had dairy [cows] for many years, then got into sucklers. By 1996, they purchased their first horse: a six-month-old Irish Draught colt by Glenagyle Rebel (exported to Zimbabwe). My family was bitten by the showing bug and what a world we were lucky to become part of, having made lifelong friends along the way.
I’m engaged to Gerry Tully from Granard who, thankfully, was always involved in horses, having show jumped from a young age alongside his late father Tom, or he wouldn’t have known what he was getting himself into! Gerry now also breeds Irish Draughts, whilst holding the seat of Granard Show chairman.
Monday to Friday, I work as a legal secretary in FJ Gearty & Co, Solicitors in Longford, but once summer season arrives, weekends are spent travelling around the country and supporting our many friends hosting their agricultural shows. In my eyes, agricultural shows are better than any sun holiday.
In 1999, I joined the Irish Draught Horse Society (IDHS) Longford branch, then chaired by Joe Farrell from Lanesboro, a renowned Draught breeder. I was the branch’s youngest secretary.
Later, I joined Granard Show, became its PRO and then secretary, a role I presently hold. To me, it’s a huge honour. I qualified as an ISA conformation and Irish Draught judge, which really was a dream come true.
As a hobby, we’ve tried to build up a nice breeding programme for horses, suitable for showing and eventually under saddle in the UK, USA and further afield.
1. Proudest breeder moment?
I suppose it would have to be a little chesnut filly foal born on a very wet, dreary April morning. She was by Bannvalley Navillus (Crosstown Dancer) out of Gurrauns Romas Way (Roma Caen Hill Flight). One man at Mountbellew Show said: “Your Draught filly oozes quality, is the picture of elegance and is a real beauty.”
We showed ‘Lottie’ all over the country that summer and, with numerous championships under her belt, ended the season with third place in a very strong All-Ireland filly foal final in Ballinasloe.
There were lots of other moments; when you receive videos from owners of ‘your’ horse doing well in whatever discipline, that definitely makes it all worthwhile and keeps you going further. You really do it for the love of the horse and the breed that you are involved with.
2. The person who encouraged you most?
When I first got involved in Irish Draughts, it would have been Joe Farrell from Lisnacusha, Lanesboro. He freely gave his time and knowledge of the breed. Without doubt, my parents, of course. Always valuable advice from Daddy, a man of few words but definitely important advice.
3. Your Irish Draught template?
To me, you need four good legs, one in each corner. Good tracking-up. I must say I’ve a soft spot for greys, along with chesnuts. An Irish Draught who oozes quality is an eye-catcher for me. I also like a horse with that bit of presence going into a showring.
4. Why should more breeders support agricultural shows?
Agricultural shows preserve community, local identity and heritage. And perhaps most importantly, they are preserving the relationship between people, animals, farming and rural life that helped shape Ireland for generations.
At a time when much of modern life exists online, agricultural shows remain rooted in the real world and a great platform to bring people together face-to-face.
They create connections between generations and ensure that traditions, once part of everyday Irish life, remain visible to future generations. Breeders need to support agricultural shows to ensure their survival and showcase their stock.
5. “Fools breed horses for wise men to buy.” Agree/disagree?
There’s quite a lot of truth to an age-old saying. If you were to sit down and work out the costs of getting your foal on the ground, it makes more financial sense to choose from a selection of ‘ready-to-go’ youngsters.
For most Irish breeders, breeding is a labour of love. Or the analogy I often think of is buying bread - do you start from scratch with raw ingredients or go to the shop to buy a loaf?
Discover Longford: Hazel McVeigh, Lizzie Donohoe (Eddie Macken’s niece), Bernie Whyte, Gerry Tully and Charlie Murphy \ Susan Finnerty
6. Prefixes, your thoughts?
Once, it was considered very prestigious to own a horse with a known prefix. You knew the breeder or at least the farm where your horse was born. These days, many people immediately change its name or, worse, drop the breeder’s prefix. This is a huge hardship for the breeder.
When you’ve spent years developing a breeding programme, which isn’t done overnight, you have earned the opportunity to be recognised when your animal does well.
7. Longford has put its mark on the horse world.
Proud to say Longford is home to many equestrian greats and, indeed, equines who have gone to the top. Eddie Macken, synonymous with Granard, will always be revered.
Brian and Anne Gormley were instrumental in Eddie’s career and Brian remains involved with the Midlands VIVA Show jumping, which takes place each year at Granard Showgrounds.
Present-day greats are too many to mention. I don’t wish to offend anyone by naming some and leaving others out, but one young man who springs to mind is Clonterm’s Derek McCoppin, son of Margaret and Ned McCoppin.
Tom and Bernie Whyte in Ardagh have bred and produced too many to name, but one that sticks in my mind is Done N Dusted.
8. That famous horse you’d love to have bred?
You’ll be surprised it’s not an Irish Draught but Shergar! Known for his incredible speed and grace, his name symbolises both triumph and tragedy, reminding us of life’s unpredictable nature.
Some years ago, we bought a three-year-old Touchdown filly and in her breeding was Great Nephew, Shergar’s sire. Her first foal, a Dunkerrin Grey Mist bay colt, was Shergar’s great-great-grand nephew - imagine on a little farm in Ballinalee, Co Longford.
9. It takes a team - who’s on yours?
Well, up until this year, my team consisted of my dad James (‘Jimmy ’) and mam Mary and, in recent years, fiancé Gerry. Not forgetting my nieces and nephew if further help was ever needed.
Unfortunately, in June, I lost both my best friend and, without a doubt, my biggest supporter, Jimmy, after he fought a courageous battle with cancer for 18 months, RIP. Dad attended Ballinalee Connemara Pony Show on June 24th and passed away on June 29th.
As a family, we travelled all over the country for years, exhibiting horses and my mum’s handcrafts at shows. A family affair, for sure. So many good days and plenty of not-so-good days, but we made plenty of cherished memories along the way.
10. Diary date?
I think everyone’s favourite holiday destination in 2027 should be Co Longford, the home of several equestrian greats. Put Saturday, July 17th in your diary for Granard’s 77th agricultural show, where you will meet some of the best in the equestrian world.
Travel down the town to see the Boomerang pub, owned by the Macken family. If Fiona is there, she will most definitely open the door, put on the kettle and you can browse through the many photographs of Eddie.
Just a short distance out the road is Brian Gormley and, indeed, Rincoola, the home of the late Harold McGahern. You may book two weeks off for your trip to Longford, ‘cause Granard will definitely take up a week.