ONE of the hidden jewels buried in the tranquil west Limerick countryside is Liskennett Farm which offers a variety of services, mostly based on horse riding for young people with a range of disabilities.

Founded in 2015, it was the joint brainchild of David Doyle, who works with St Joseph’s Foundation in Charleville, its then chairperson Eamonn McCarthy and its founder, the late Dr Martin O’Donnell. David’s daughter, Caroline, has autism and around then it was discovered that horse riding could have a hugely beneficial effect. It is one thing to have a good idea but to make it a reality takes money and it was here that JP McManus stepped into the breach by providing 50% of the overall funding for Liskennett, which runs to around 80 acres, and presented it to St Joseph’s to establish an equine unit.

From humble beginnings, it has grown and grown to last year having a staff of 80, providing over 13,000 therapy sessions to those with autism and allied conditions.

David Doyle is still at the helm, though currently on crutches as a result of hip surgery but moves around almost as if nothing had happened.

The farm has a stable of specially trained and selected horses, including a couple of retired chasers from the JP stable, and the riders sit up under very controlled conditions for around half an hour daily.

Last Wednesday the Limerick Harriers made their annual trip to Liskennett with around 30 of their younger followers, all in Christmas fancy dress, to be joined by 12 riders from Liskennett Farm.

Helped by horses

One of the aims of Liskennett is to allow those who use their services feel as much part of normal life as possible and to that end, they rode up-sides with the hunting children from the harriers, many of whom were also on lead reins as some were as young as two. Among those who has benefitted is young Daithí Lawless from Kilfinane, who suffered catastrophic injuries in a car accident. He rides the former JP horse Staker Wallace. Much of his journey back to good health is attributed, at least by his mother Antoinette, to his riding the former chaser who had done more for him than any doctor or therapist thought possible.

Huntsman Padraic Behan’s had his two-year-old son JP out, as proud as punch of dad but of course under the watchful eye of his mum Adrina.

The cap on the day, which was generously subscribed to by the parents, went (as it should) to Liskennett and there to receive it were CEO Michael Hegarty and fundraiser Susan Nolan.

Once hounds were unboxed, and after a few short words from Limerick Harriers’ master and chairman John McNamara, hounds led the parade of some 40 riders around the many roads and tracks running through the farm.

They finished in a paddock near the stables where the young jockeys, under the watchful eye of their minders, rode up and down the many small banks built there for just such a purpose.

Liskennett have ambitious plans to open a satellite unit in Monymusk on a site donated by Duhallow senior-master Kate Jarvey who is already associated with many worthy charities (see page 85). This will be staffed and equipped with suitable horses just as Liskennett is today.