The Irish Draught Horse In Military History.


The Irish Draught In Military History – Exhibition at the Curragh Camp

The Kildare branch of the Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association supported by Kildare County Council Heritage program recently brought together  an exhibition to highlight the important involvement of the Irish Draught Horse in military History. The exhibition is running in the Curragh Military Museum located in the Curragh Camp, Co Kildare and runs from 17th to 24th August to coincide with Heritage week.

The Irish Draught Exhibition Curragh Camp 2019 – L. to R. Brig. Gen David Dignam, GOC Curragh Camp, Annette Brennan, IDHBA, Jennifer Haverty, Chair IDHBA, Col. Ned Campion, Trish Young Chair Kildare Branch, Eilene Brennan PRO IDHBA

The exhibition was opened by Lieutenant Colonel Des Healy Museum Curator, Brigadier General Dave Dignam GOC Curragh Camp and Patricia Young chair of the Kildare branch of the Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association.

The Irish Draught Exhibition Curragh Camp 2019 – L to R. . Brig. Gen. David Dignam, GOC Curragh Camp; Col. Ned Campion, Trish Young, Kildare Branch, Lt. Col. Des Healy Museum Curator

The Irish Draught horse is still listed as an endangered breed and the exhibition hopes, not only to highlight the involvement of the breed in the military along with its versatility but to also promote the breed itself. There are exhibits and original memorabilia and a wide range of stories and facts on the value of the Irish Draught horse and the roll it has played from the Crimean war through the Great war and to its ceremonial duties today in the Household Cavalry.

The Army equitation school is represented for it’s role in promoting the Irish horse in the sporting field and the Garda Mounted Unit for its current use of the horse in active service.

The Irish Draught Exhibition Curragh Camp 2019 – L. to R. Brig. Gen. David Dignam, Col. Ned Campion, Noel Dunne, TII, Mullamast Archaeological Project Trish Young Kildare Branch,

The exhibition is free to visit and is open,

Monday 19th – Wednesday 21st August;  10am-12.30pm; 2-4.30pm

Thursday 22nd August; 2pm-8pm.

Saturday 24th August 2pm-5pm.

Report and pictures by Jessica Soley BHSI

We will have a follow up Report in our September Issue of Irish Sport Horse Magazine.

Jessica Soley BHSI

Jessica Soley BHSI is a level 5 performance coach and senior assessor for the British Horse Society. Having competed and run her own competition yard she is now an Equine Tutor for QQI Equine courses at level 5&6 run by KWETB in Kildare.

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