‘Spirit of Ballinrobe’ wooden horse sculpture officially launched

BALLINROBE’S centuries-old association with horse racing has been marked with the unveiling of a life-sized wooden sculpture known as ‘The Spirit of Ballinrobe’.

Carved by local chainsaw artist Tommy Kerrigan, the cedar word sculpture depicts a life-sized racehorse complete with jockey and jump.

The two-year project started in 2022 when Paul Mc Donald of Ballinrobe Tidy Towns saw a horse sculpture elsewhere and thought Ballinrobe should have something similar.

With the 250-year anniversary of horse racing in Ballinrobe approaching, the Ballinrobe Tidy Towns committee agreed to support the project.

The only racecourse in Mayo is located in Ballinrobe, where horse racing dates back to at least 1773.

A huge fundraising effort was undertaken to support the project, which also received funding and support from local county councillors Michael Burke, Patsy O’Brien and Damien Ryan the Ballinrobe Racecourse committee.

Local businesses got behind the effort too, offering donations and raffle prizes while Biggins’ Bar ran a memorable Drag Night fundraiser.

^{(L-R) James Morley, Monica Horan (CDC), Frank Keane (CDC) and Tommy Kerrigan.}

John Flannelly, Racecourse Manager said: “We were delighted to get involved with this project with the Tidy Towns to celebrate the long history of horse racing here in Ballinrobe.”

The horse was completed in June of 2023 and the sculpture went on temporary display at the racecourse while its final location on the Castlebar Road was being prepared.

The necessary permissions were sought and the footpath was re-routed to accommodate the three-tonne horse.

James Morley, Chair of Ballinrobe Tidy Towns, described the finished sculpture as ‘a work of art’.

“We’re all delighted with the end result”, he said. “It’s great to be able to do something to honour the heritage of our town in such a beautiful way.”

Jonathan Mullin, Director of Racing, Horse Racing Ireland, cut the ribbon to officially launch the ‘The Spirit of Ballinrobe’ on Friday, September 20, where he was accompanied by members of Ballinrobe Tidy Towns, Ballinrobe Racecourse committee, Ballinrobe Community Development Council, Councillors, and artist Tommy Kerrigan.

Ballinrobe Tidy Towns would like to thank everyone who helped to make this project happen.

PHOTO CAPTION: Frank Keane (CDC), Cllr. Patsy O’Brien, Cllr. Michael Burke, Cllr. Damien Ryan, James Morley (BTT), Jonathan Mullin (Horse Racing Ireland), Tommy Kerrigan, Paul McDonald (BTT), Ken Murphy (Racecourse Committee Chair), Marguerite Culkeen (BTT), Peter Heaps, (BTT), John Flannelly (Racecourse Manager).