THERE was much shock and sadness this week at the untimely death of top equestrian businessman Niall Connolly, owner of the flagship Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian Centre, Dundalk, Co Louth.

Niall and his beloved wife Dolores build up Ravensdale Lodge to be one of Ireland’s best equestrian, competition, hacking and event centres. Niall, in his early 50s, was very highly regarded and respected by all those who had the pleaure of knowing him.

Niall’s late aunt Agnes Connolly, who passed away in 2005, ran the first riding centre in the area back in the 1960s so when Niall became the fourth generation of the family to take over the family farm in 1987, he looked at horses as a way of diversifying from the farming industry pressures Ireland was facing at the time.

He began offering livery and schooling services to horse owners in 1990s and this proved so successful that the centre won a National Enterprise Award in 1997.

The business was expanded to a fully fledged equestrian centre in 2000 and went from strength to strength. The €1.25 million indoor arena is regarded as being among the very best public facilities of its kind in Ireland.

It’s believed a suspected heart attack caused his untimely passing.

Niall is survived by his wife Dolores (nee Swan), children Jason, Eve and Rosalyn, mother Joan, sister Verona, brothers Martin, David, Patrick and Kevin, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

His removal will take place this morning (Saturday) to St Mary’s Church, Ravensdale, arriving for Mass at 11am with burial afterwards in Calvary Cemetery. To his family and friends, we extend our deepest sympathy.