New book on Westport Horse Show to be launched

IN various experiences in parish work, the memories which surround the people involved in the Westport Horse Show Society stand in a very special place.

After arriving in Westport in 1970, succeeding Fr Dominick Grealy, the invitation to become involved came from the Chairman Hugh Ryan. It became a welcome pastoral outreach at the time in getting to know people and settle into the life of a busy parish. In recent years, the message of Pope Francis to priests was to encourage them to get among their people and experience the 'smell of the sheep' in their parish ministry! Looking back now, I appreciate how this became for me the opportunity 'to get the smell of the horse' in the company and friendship of so many people.

I became inspired at meetings to meet up with such a variety of people with a range of talents, skills and work coming together each year to build up and further the impressive event which the show had become by 1970. The beginning of the whole idea emerged through the local Tourist Development Company and Micheál O’Donnell with Jack McGreevy sold the venture to a small group of people to organise a Horse Show! It was in line with other projects like the International Fishing Festival, the visit of Princess Grace to Croagh Patrick, the link road on to Bertrá Beach. 

The main aim was to promote the profile of Westport on the national scene with a view to business and tourism and develop the local resources. I am so glad to have pictures included of that committee and the original meeting of the group planning the first show in the story of Challenging Fences.  The availability of the Lawn by Lord Sligo was a huge boost to their endeavours in such a beautiful and picturesque setting.

What a challenge to face! To start a show is such an impressive setting. The vision, the energy, the camaraderie created a bonding between so many people which was the foundation. It ignited the work and planning, the administration and collaboration in a remarkable achievement. The visits of the Irish Team, the Taoiseach, the massive local support became the driving force. People who came to live in the parish were welcomed and so many pitched into the endeavour. 

Visitors and the horse fraternity were astounded at the professional way everything was organised. It held high shoulders with the RDS in Dublin. And during the 'Troubles' the links with people from the North of Ireland remained staunch and they came to Westport with their horses knowing that they would be welcomed. And the challenges – getting prize money, coping with weather conditions and the loss of inspirational people.

The contributions of memories in words and stories from so many of the young generation of those years have enlivened and put sparkle into Challenging Fences. Isn’t there a sense that each one of us and in different ways face a challenging fence in our lives? So often it is the word, the bit of advice, and the support of friends that makes the difference!

From the Lawn to the Hill

IT is a remarkable achievement that the show at present continues to thrive despite all the challenges such events face in more recent times. May that inspiration and leadership continue to thrive with the Foy family in our community into the future. In recent years, it is due to the work and influence of Michael Ring TD that some financial support was provided to promote such events and local heritage and community involvement. 

I write these words in the hope that the ‘spirit of volunteerism’ which was so active and alive in that venture of Westport Horse Show will continue to build the community spirit of our area in the magnificent setting of Croagh Patrick. Such a huge amount of work was done – so obvious on the grounds – and so quietly in the work of administration which went on long before and after the Show. All done with great heart and gracious spirit to promote a venture that did so much for building community spirit and in such a variety of ways. All promoting ‘the kingdom of God’. And that is the spirit so evident in the development of sport facilities in the community and the recent history of the Golf Club.

It is my hope that this memoir of the history and ongoing story of this local event will help to cherish memories and especially the spirit and dedication of so many who have passed to their eternal reward.

Challenging Fences will be launched on Friday November 24 at 8pm in the Ashleigh Suite, Castlecourt Hotel. All are welcome.