Two of Ireland’s Leading Visitor Attractions Come Together

Kylemore Abbey in Connemara is delighted to be once again partnering with the Irish National Stud to promote the Connemara pony. Following on from the success of last year’s partnership, Kylemore Abbey will place “Ava” a sixteen-year-old Connemara mare and her filly foal “Peaceful Blaithín” in the Irish National Stud for the coming months to allow visitors to the National Stud view Ireland’s native pony. All foals born on the Kylemore Estate carry “Peaceful” as a prefix to their name.

“Ava” and “Blaithín” will be on public display as they graze in paddocks alongside living legends such as “Hurricane Fly” and “Faugheen”. Cathal Beale CEO of The Irish National Stud said: “It was fantastic to have a Connemara mare and foal here at the stud last year to showcase to our visitors and to promote another National breed, they were a great attraction. We are delighted to have Connemara mare “Ava” and her foal “Peaceful Blaithín” here this summer and are very grateful to Kylemore Abbey for loaning them to us.” 

Meanwhile visitors to Kylemore Abbey can still meet Connemara ponies at the Pony Paddock where an informative talk takes place daily at 3.30pm with Ciara Nee, local pony expert. The talks allow visitors from all over the world learn about the unique features of a Connemara Pony as well as see demonstrations of grooming and handling this remarkably docile breed.

Reflecting on the partnership and the introduction of Connemara Ponies to the Kylemore Abbey estate, Kylemore Abbey’s CEO, Conor Coyne remarked: “In this, the centenary year for the Connemara Pony Breeders Society, it is wonderful to once again be given the opportunity to promote the breed at another leading visitor attraction, the Irish National Stud. Connemara Ponies have only been on the Kylemore estate for the past five years, but they have become a key feature of a visit to Kylemore Abbey and we are delighted we can share them with the visitors who come to Kylemore and once again, with the visitors to the National Stud.”

Kylemore is honoured to be invited to participate in the centenary celebrations of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society. “Coosheen Julie”, a former Clifden supreme champion and her foal “Peaceful Fionn” will be paraded at the Clifden Connemara Pony Show in August. The Connemara Pony Show is the most highly anticipated event for Connemara Pony Breeders worldwide, and given the significance of this centenary year, it promises to be a wonderful celebration of all things “Connemara Pony”.

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