STUCK DOWN
First published 2026 by The O’Brien Press Ltd, 12 Terenure Road East, Rathgar, Dublin 6, D06 HD27, Ireland. Tel: +353 1 4923333; Fax: +353 1 4922777; E-mail: books@obrien.ie; Website: obrien.ie The O’Brien Press is a member of Publishing Ireland. ISBN: 978-1-78849-649-0 Copyright for text, typesetting, layout, editing, design © The O’Brien Press Ltd Photos pp20-21 and 26 courtesy of Healy Racing (healyracing.ie); pp22 and 24-25 courtesy of Alamy; p55 thanks to Brenda Boyne; pp36 and 37 with thanks to photographer Aoife Kavanagh and the Tinahely Show (tinahelyshow.ie). All other images © Shutterstock. Edited by Nicola Reddy. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including for text and data mining, training artificial intelligence systems, photocopying, recording or in any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. 2467531 27 29 28 26 To the best of our knowledge, this book complies in full with the requirements of the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). For further information and help with any safety queries, please contact us at productsafety@obrien.ie. Printed and bound by Drukarnia Skleniarz, Poland. The paper in this book is produced using pulp from managed forests. Published in
Horses & Ponies of Ireland
Introd uc tion
F
or generations, humans and horses have stood shoulder to shoulder in Ireland. Findings from Newgrange show that horses were used for
transport and farming here as far back as 2400 BC, and our equine allies have helped tend our lush land ever since. Irish mythology is full of noble steeds, from Cú Chulainn’s chariot horses, Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend, to Aonbharr of the Flowing Mane, horse of the sea god Manannán mac Lir. Macha, the Irish horse goddess, is associated with strength and feminine power, and every child knows of the beautiful white horse that carried Oisín and Niamh to Tír na nÓg. Horses went into battle with our ancient soldiers, and it is said that they can sense danger and even signs of the Otherworld. In modern times, Ireland is famous for its magnificent thoroughbreds. True, we ride the finest horses you’ve ever seen (as Christy Moore might say), but in this book, we also celebrate our clever Connemara ponies, powerful draught horses, hardy bog ponies and gentle cobs, all of whom have a special place in our lives and in our hearts 3
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The best way to travel through Killarney National Park.
The Connemara pony is a cherished symbol of the West of Ireland. This medium-sized breed is agile and clever, with a lovely temperament, making it a perfect riding horse for adults and children. Although not wild, these beautiful ponies are often seen roaming freely over the hills and rocky fields of Galway. 6
Using vintage machinery and Clydesdale horses at the Mullahead Ploughing Match, County Armagh.
Above: The impressive Pegasus looking over Triton Lake at Powerscourt House & Gardens in County Wicklow. Right:: By the 12th Century round tower in Ardmore, County Waterford. 10
In the shadow of Benbulben: grazing near the magnificent mountain in County Sligo.
On St Patrick’s Day, the elegant Lord Mayor’s carriage makes its way along Dame Street in Dublin (above) while celebrations are on a slightly smaller scale in Limerick (opposite).
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A semi-feral herd wandering around the Murlough Nature Reserve near the Mourne Mountains in County Down.