Wednesday 8 October 2014

A Horse’s Tale gets another airing in response to public demand

The local community and equine industry enthusiasts all over the county will get a further opportunity to view Neville Presho’s television documentary, ‘A Horse’s Tale’ on Monday next, October 13th at The Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon.

Last month two screenings of the film, first broadcast on RTE in 1979, attracted very large attendances to the Courthouse. In fact, the ‘house full’ signs went up for the initial event, organised by the Old Ennistymon Society as part of its contribution to National Heritage Week. In response to public demand, The North Clare Historical Society has now linked up with The Old Ennistymon Society to facilitate another showing, starting at 8pm on Monday next and admission is €5. The 25-minute film and accompanying set of evocative photographs are bound to generate much discussion and contributions from the audience, as did the September screenings.

‘A Horse’s Tale’ features three schoolchildren from Moy National School observing, and lending a hand to, farmer Joe Garrihy from Carrowntedaun, Lahinch, and his trusted Irish Draught mare ‘Doonbay’ as they carried out various tasks on the farm These ranged from cutting and harvesting the hay to drawing home turf from the bog. The film also showed the mare being shod at Moloney’s blacksmith forge in Ennistymon while her repaired bridle is retrieved from the local Crowe’s saddlery. Scenes were also shot at Kilmihil cattle fair and the famous Spancilhill horse fair.

The documentary, produced in association with RTE, was inspired by prize-winning entries from pupils at the Moy National School, under the guidance of School Principal, Úna Uí Rócháin, in a national essay competition. “The previous screenings provoked much stimulating discussion and reminisces about precious but largely forgotten farming and equine traditions, as well as town-based crafts such as the blacksmith and saddler,” said John O’Loughlin, Chairman of the North Clare Historical Society. “We look forward to many further contributions during a group discussion after the film at next week’s event, when the contributors will include Colman Garrihy, the son of ‘Doonbay’ owner, the late Joe Garrihy,” he concluded.

The photo above shows the 'stars' of A Horse's Tale - Joe Garrihy, owner of the Irish Draught mare, Doonbay, flanked by Sean Curtin and Michael Harhen with John Garrihy (seated on creamery can) get a lift from local man, Mick Conlon in Ennistymon.

3 comments:

Susan said...

Greetings from San Diego!
My great grandfather (Henry Patrick Reilly) was born at Moher Lodge in 1838 and I am very interested in learning whatever I can about my family history.
Is or will this film be made available to the public?
I would enjoy watching it very much.
Thank you!
Susan Reilly DeVore

Clare County Library said...

Hello Susan, it may be shown again locally in the area - just keep an eye on this blog. If you are interested in learning about your family history then I'd recommend that you take a look at
TRACING YOUR FAMILY TREE - Tips from Clare County Library
http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/library/local-studies/tracing_your_family_tree.htm

and at the Check-list and Tips for Family Historians Intending to Visit Clare at
http://www.ourlibrary.ca/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1548

and at our extensive genealogy data available online at
http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/genealog.htm

and at our links to genealogical services at
http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/genealogy/genealogical_services.htm

and links to genealogical sources at
http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/links/genealogy.htm

and our surname distribution maps (select the People tab) at
http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/maps/genmap/index.html#M5C-9.07093!52.86467Z9F1*

I would also recommend that you take a look at our Clare Past forum at
http://www.ourlibrary.ca/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=1.

You may well feel that members of the forum may be able to assist you.
You can post a query once you have joined the forum.
You will need to register first on the forum before you can post but that is
a simple enough operation. Do be careful with the visual captcha at the end
when registering. We have this in place to deter robot spammers that are a
plague on all online forums. The important thing to note about the captcha
is that you need to match up the images twice. You're given two images on
top, and a number beneath them. Click on the one that most resembles the
first one first, and then do the same for the second image.

All the best,
Anthony Edwards,
Senior Executive Librarian,
Clare County Library

Susan said...

Thank you so much for your suggestions, Anthony!
I am just reading your post......