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Horses Are Woven Into the Fabric of Ireland

When you think of Ireland, pictures of sheep probably come into your mind, dotting the hillsides like popcorn on a plush, green carpet. However, horses are also very much a part of the history and culture of the Emerald Isle.

Irish Horses : Clara : Ireland

Genetically speaking, if you have some Irish in you, it will be difficult not to see a horse without some trigger of emotion. A love of horses can be knitted into your genes as much as fair skin, freckles, a long, slender nose, and yes, maybe even your temper!

You simply cannot talk about Ireland, or its Celtic history without mentioning Equus. The two are entwined like the never ending circles in knotwork gracing the ancient Book of Kells and stones.

Ireland has a history rich with horses, as rich as the limestone bone-building fields of grass the stud farm horses graze on. From Ireland’s Celtic roots when horses were used for farming, funerals, weddings, reflections of their goddesses (Rhiannon and Epona), trading, and more, to today when horses continue to be a dominant force in the country.

One can see that there is something special in the relationship of the Irish with horses.

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Source The Equinest
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End of a great day spent in WestMeath and Offaly …

The Card Players : Paddy Ryans : Horseleap : Ireland

Horseleap (Irish: Baile Átha an Urchair) is a town situated upon the Offaly, Westmeath county border in Ireland, along the R446, formerly the main Dublin to Galway road. The village itself possesses a church, primary school, a garden centre, a pub, and a petrol station. Horseleap dates back to the 12th century steeped in Ui Neill, Geoghegan history.

The village’s Irish name (Baile Átha an Urchair or Áth an Urchair) was historically anglicised as Ballanurcher, Athnurcher and Ardnurcher.[1] The name probably derives from the legend that Conchobar mac Nessa was killed here.[2]

Horseleap’s present name dates back to 1192. The Norman lord Brian Fitzgerald had been riding through the lands neighbouring his castle in Donore when he came across members of the Mac Geoghegan clan who had long disputed De Lacy’s claim to the lands. Following a dispute, De Lacy was forced to flee on horseback from the Mac Geoghans. On approaching his castle he discovered that the drawbridge was raised forcing De Lacy’s horse to jump the castle’s moat. De Lacey survived the jump and escaped almost certain death at the hands of the Mac Geoghegan clan.[citation needed]

The battle of Ardnocher took place here in 1329 between the forces of Thomas Butler and William Mac Geoghegan. Mac Geoghegan won and Butler and many of his soldiers were killed.

Modern Day

Apart from the story of how it got its name Horseleap also has a new story of modern day interest. The 12 foot high bronze statue of the prancing horse that stands on the village green was actually made in Italy by Ferrari. In the nineties the Ferrari formula one racing team made a present of one of these statues of its famous logo to each of their F1 drivers. This one was shipped to Ireland in 1999 to be given to Eddie Irvine who had finished as runner up in the World championship for Ferrari that year. It was stored in a barn in County Tyrone and was to be a surprise to Irvine. However just before this was to take place Irvine told Ferrari he was leaving them to join the Jaguar team. Ferrari never told Irvine about the statue and it stayed in the barn for a year until a local farmer from Horseleap was up in Tyrone buying cattle and was told about it. A delegation from the village was then dispatched to make the case that they had the ideal home for this statue and that they wished to purchase it. They bought the statue for a fee less than it cost to make and it was erected in 2000.

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300 Year Old Tree

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300 Year Old Tree

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Firebrigade to the rescue …

The 300 Year Old Tree

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Ireland : Hill of Uisneach : Bealtaine : 2011

“Over 2000 years ago a band of Egyptians were sailing up the River Shannon to attend the great Festival of the Fires which was held each year at the month of May at the Hill of Uisneach. Caesar acknowledged Uisneach and its great festival when he spoke of assemblies and trading at ‘the consecrated place considered to be centre of all Gaul…”

Although it stands just 180m above sea level, the summit of Uisneach commands extensive panoramic views over the central plain, with no less than twenty counties visible on the horizon. In every direction hills and mountains animate a horizon where green melts into blue, hinting at seas and complete encirclement. It is difficult to match in Ireland the range of prospect from the top. It’s also difficult to quantify Uisneach’s remarkable history.

The roots of Uisneach lie beyond recorded history but its surviving monuments and relics range in date from the Neolithic, early Bronze Age to the medieval period, indicating human activity spanning some five millennia.

Source Festival of the Fires
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Uisneach : Festival Of The Fires : Mide : Ireland :2011

Reaction to the 2010 Festival

Emergency services, local authorities, tourism bodies and, most importantly, festival goers hailed the returning Celtic festival at Uisneach as a triumph. With OAP’s and children granted free entrance to the event, there was an unrivalled mix of generations on the hillside, soaking up what the Irish Independent declared as “a festival with a difference”. The Irish Times added the “enchanted” festival was “a source of hope”. The regional press too was united in its praise with the Westmeath Examiner hailing it as the most significant cultural event in the region in centuries. Radio stations also buzzed with great reports.

Gardaí reported no arrests and the ambulance services also declared a clean bill of health with no major incidents reported. Hotels throughout Westmeath all reported full houses, with B&B’s also painting a similar picture. Midlands Tourism officer Rhona Rogers said the “stunning event” gave the region a “significant economic and tourism boost at a time when it is needed most”. Speaking on behalf of Fáilte Ireland, Rory McCarthy said he was “very impressed” with the festival.

The festival culminated with a spectacular fire ceremony and dazzling fire parade, which was led by the winners of the 2010 Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the LUXe group. The colourful pageant featured night floats and hundreds of supremely talented fire performers, musicians and other performers. Our thanks must go to all the incredible fire performers who took part – From Babylon’s Inferno to the Stagecraft group, from Lisa Dunne and her crew to the Galway gang we are eternally indebted.

Source : www.festivalofthefires.com/?p=98
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