Galway has a long and proud equestrian tradition, from the world renowned Connemara pony to the Galway Races. A Way With Horses by Niamh Ó Dochartaigh highlights 10 Galway people who were instrumental in upholding that tradition over the past century.
Recently republished, the book offers an insight into Galway’s hunting, showjumping, racing, and breeding fraternities, as well as the highlighted individuals.
Among those featured in the book is Chick Gillen, best known for his city centre barber shop and his years of dedication to boxing both as competitor and coach, who was also instrumental in, among other things, reviving the Claddagh races in the 1970s. A ‘townie’ born and bred, Mr Gillen’s interest in horses started in childhood when he used to ride the milk cart, and he went on to become an accomplished horseman and organised many races and gymkhanas around the city.
Bobby Bolger, who passed away in November, was a renowned Connemara pony breeder. He inherited his love of the breed from his father Jack, an accomplished breeder and showman, and went on to take the supreme champion prize at the Connemara Pony Show three years in a row between 1993 and 1995.
Ó Dochartaigh also traces the history of the Hardiman family, from Corrandulla native Sean Hardiman and his wife Maura keeping horses in Woodquay, to daughter Marjorie and her husband Mark, who now run an equestrian centre between Oranmore and Clarinbridge, to granddaughter Shauna, a promising dressage champion, along with many more families and individuals who have made their mark on equestrian life in Galway
A Way With Horses is available in most Galway bookshops.
