I don't know if James Horan intuited that I spent much of my childhood watching and re-watching a VHS tape called Ballad of the Irish Horse, but he was right on the money when he thought I might like the book project he's been working on, about the culture of the horse throughout Ireland.
Horan is self-publishing this book through Blurb; take a look at many more images on flickr. I hope this story gets picked up by some magazines in the States-- lord knows horses (and unicorns) are hot right now. In any case, info from Horan, and some images:
----
I'm Irish and from a small town called Limerick. I studied fine art print making in college and then decided I wanted to become a photographer. I worked for six years with a news agency called Press 22; after this I went to Sydney, Australia for four years and worked as a staff photographer for the Cumberland newspaper group. Now I'm working in Dublin, Ireland, shooting Press and PR.
When I came home to Ireland last June I found myself looking at it with fresh eyes. With so much change going on in the country and the "Celtic Tiger" economy in full effect, I decided to document one aspect of my culture that has remained largely unchanged but will most likely fade into the history books.
From the tweed-suited old gentlemen and gypsies at the traditional horse fairs of Spancil Hill and Ballinasloe, to the Adidas-clad youth from deprived and working class suburbs of Limerick and Dublin, I have met fearless, competent riders-- all of whom are down to earth, kind-hearted people who love their horses. Most of the people I have photographed have no formal equestrian training and keep their animals in homemade stables or on green areas in housing estates.
The project centers on the monthly
Smithfield horse market; it's one of
Dublin's oldest traditions, dating back
to the 17th century. Dealers come from
around Ireland to buy and sell horses,
but the market is also popular with
local teenagers keen to show off their
ponies and their bare-back riding skills
on the cobbled stone square. 
In recent years the Smithfield area has been redeveloped for modern high-density inner city living with apartments, cafes, hotels and a cinema-- all of which contrast greatly to the horse market. The introduction of The Control of Horses Act has effectively outlawed these kids, and the closure of the market is a real possibility.
The Smithfield Horse Market.
The Smithfield Horse Market.
Vicar Street Stables, Dublin, Ireland.
Vicar Street Stables.
A sunny day in Finglas, Dublin, Ireland.
The Smithfield Horse Market.Vicar Street Stables, Dublin, Ireland.
Vicar Street Stables.
A sunny day in Finglas, Dublin, Ireland.
Every October, Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland is host to the
ancient October Fair, one of the oldest horse fairs in Europe; bathed
in history, it dates back to the 1700s. Today the ever popular fair is
still held, along with a festival that attracts up to 100,000 visitors
from all over the world.
The Ballinasloe Fair.
The Ballinasloe Fair.
Johnny Mac from Moyross, Limerick, is pictured at the Spancil Hill horse fair, County Clare.
Buyers and sellers of horses and ponies gather each year on the 23rd of
June for the famous Spancil Hill horse. At one time, Spancil Hill was
said to be Ireland's largest fair with buyers from Britain, Russia,
Prussia, and France competing to purchase the best stock for their
Imperial armies.
Tommy Gallagher from Mayo is pictured at the Spancil Hill horse fair, County Clare.
See more!
Tommy Gallagher from Mayo is pictured at the Spancil Hill horse fair, County Clare.
See more!
Stumble Upon
Outstanding work. Well worth the price of a book. Thanks, Rachel.