IN an exciting partnership, Kylemore Abbey recently teamed up with the Irish National Stud which will see one of Kylemore’s Connemara Pony mares and her foal spend the summer months at the iconic Co Kildare stud.

It follows on as a natural progression from the 2021 initiative which first saw Gray Lass graze on the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin in the Phoenix Park.

The nine-year-old mare Lehid Canal Prince mare and her foal, Peaceful Promise, now call a very prominent field at the INS home - they are right next to racehorse legends like Beef or Salmon and Hurricane Fly, who were very excited to see their new neighbours arrive.

A delegation from Kylemore Abbey including Sr Karol O’Connell, along with Kylemore’s pony handlers, and president of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society, David Sheedy, travelled with the mare and foal last month and they are well settled at their new home.

“We are delighted with the initiative between Kylemore and the National Stud, because it’s just a fantastic way to showcase our pony.

“And now we have a Connemara mare and foal here, amongst probably the best horses in the world,” said David Sheedy.

One of the things that makes the Connemara Pony breed so popular, he said, is their temperament. As Peaceful Promise explored his new surroundings, Sheedy added: “Even here today, when the foal was being led up, you can see how cool and collected he was. No fuss!”

Since the introduction of the ‘Peaceful’ Connemara pony herd at Kylemore Abbey in 2019, they have become a key part of the visitor experience with daily feedings, opportunities for visitors to name the new foals online, and a pony trail with fun signage running along the paddock.

CEO of Kylemore Abbey, Conor Coyne, said the Abbey “has a long-standing tradition of promoting the best of the West of Ireland and this partnership will bring the national breed of pony to Ireland’s showcase for all things equine.”

Sr Karol, who is passionate about the Connemara ponies at the Abbey, said the mare will be dearly missed on the grounds while she spends the summer at the Irish National Stud.

“She’s such a beautiful pony and she’s very sociable and the tourists love her because you can pet her, even her little foal is getting to be very social. They’re just lovely but we know they’re coming back.”

Visitors to the Irish National Stud’s Racehorse Experience will also be treated to a stunning floor-to-ceiling view of the paddock at the end of the exhibition. (For more details, visit www.irishnationalstud.ie)