Knocknagoshel’s Horse Fair an Appreciated and Welcome Strangeness to Village Life

Local woman Helena O’Mahony was minding the goat for a neighbour outside Eddie Walsh’s Bar at the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday. Photo by: John Reidy

Polly the Pony obliges her local passengers, Hanorah Curtin and Alice O’Keeffe with Darragh McGoldrick, Brosna; Amy Rose Mangan and Kayla Roche, Knocknagoshel at the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday. Photo by John Reidy

Local singer and farmer, Jim Lyons was strolling through the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday. Photo by John Reidy

Roger Sampson from Galbally, Co. Limerick was i lár an aonaigh with his trio of Argentine native Falabella ponies at the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday. Photo by John Reidy

There’s a deal in the making in this scene from the annual horse fair in Knocknagoshel on Friday. Photo by John Reidy

Four year old Hanora Curtin is getting lots of attention at the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday from Brenda Leahy, Noreen Murphy, Sheila Curtin, Antoinette O’Keeffe and Richard Curtin. Photo by John Reidy

Tim Doyle, Listowel (left) pictured with Michael Sugrue, Abbeydorney and Pat White, Athea were selling at the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday. Photo by John Reidy

Denis Brosnan, Knocknagoshel and the UK (right) laying out his stall of vintage items and fair relevant goods at Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday with locals from left: Pat Griffin, Paul Doogan, Ger Brosnan and Teddy Moynihan. Photo by John Reidy

Thinking of stepping into Eddie Walsh’s Bar in The Mall during the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday were: John O’Keeffe (left) with Der Keane and Richie Curtin. Photo by John Reidy

Horse talk: Local girl Makayla Maunsell with ‘Mollie’ met Michael Healy Rae, TD with her grand-dad Jerh Brosnan at the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday. Photo by Sheila Costello

Enjoying all the fun of the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday were cousins: Emma Fitzsimons, Dublin and Knocknagoshel and Leah McCarthy, Castleisland. Photo by John Reidy

Father and son Paddy and John Morrissey from Charleville, Co. Cork were at the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair in Co. Kerry on Friday. Photo by: John Reidy

Taking in all the happenings at the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday were from left: Jim O’Connor, The Gap of Dunloe; John McAuliffe, Knocknagoshel and Bill Clifford, Abbeyfeale. Photo by John Reidy

Mikayla Maunsell with her pony ‘Mollie’ at the annual Knocknagoshel Horse Fair on Friday with: Marie Cronin, Kilmanihan; Jerh Brosnan, Mikayla’s grand-dad; Anthony McAuliffe, Knocknagoshel; Denis Bradley, Ballymacelligott and Patrick Hallissey, Lyreacrompane. Photo by John Reidy

The day before the fair: Ted and Pauline O’Leary from Ballinasloe, Co. Galway arrived in Knocknagoshel a day early for the annual horse and had to return home that same evening. Photo by John Reidy

When a handful of local residents of the beautiful village of Knocknagoshel decided to re-instate a long lost fair day tradition around its Pattern Day festivities in 2012 it sparked a debate.

The debate was anchored on the fact that Knocknagoshel did have a fair day tradition. However, the question was: did the village ever host a stand alone horse fair ?

The sub text to the question was: are we reviving a village tradition or making history here ?

Then it was generally thought that there hadn’t been a fair of any description held in the village for over half a century – or more – depending on those whose opinions you heard or sought.

12 Year Old Horse Fair

In fact, it was said that the village was making its own bit of history by holding its first ever horse fair. Horses had been sold in the village before but always as part of the usual cattle fair.

The now 12 year old and history making horse fair made its 2024 return to the street of The Mall on Friday.

The strangeness an event like this brings to an area was widely appreciated and welcomed by all ages at the end of a long week of celebration surrounding their dearly treasured Pattern Day festivities.

The fair day enthusiasm of one Co. Galway couple got the better of them and they arrived down from Ballinasloe to the hill-top village to attend the fair – but a day too early.

AirB&B in Castleisland

Unfortunately for Pauline and Ted O’Leary they had to return home the same day due to business which wouldn’t wait.

They’re regular attendees at the November 1st fair in Castleisland and they’re looking for an AirB&B in or close to the town for a couple of nights.

One of the most dedicated supporters of the Knocknagoshel Horse Fair locals is Anthony McAuliffe and he was his usual busy self i lár an aonaigh on Friday.

And, talking about fair day lore, Anthony made a bit of village history by milking his goat in O’Connor’s Bar and sharing the milk with the customers – which must surely have set them up for the rest of the day and the remaining hours of the Knocknagoshel Pattern festivities of 2024.

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