CONNEMARA ponies took to the streets of Oughterard in Galway on Monday to escort council and Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society (CPBS) members to the unveiling of a special commemorative plaque at the Old Courthouse, commissioned to commemorate the first elected CPBS Council.

Riders Doireann Clancy, Sophie Lee and Dervla Foley led the group to the unveiling ceremony on their ponies.

Outgoing CPBS President Dave Sheedy gave a special welcome to the living relatives of the founding council. He spoke of the public meeting that took place in Oughterard on December 12th,1923, resulting in the election of 11 members of the first council of Bartley O’Sullivan, Michael O’Malley, Willie Roe, Mr Wallace, Joise Mongan, Tim Cotter, Tommy Kelly, Tom Lyons, Mr Prendergast, Father White and Christy Kerin. Mr Sheedy also commented that the pony escort was a sight to behold, as the ponies behaved impeccably and were so well turned out.

Mrs Mary Coyne, grandniece of Willie Roe, then spoke on behalf of the relatives of the founding fathers, describing them as ‘a group of people who has vision, foresight and courage’.

The CPBS thanked those who organised, participated and attended on the day.

In other CPBS news, a new president, Daragh Ó Tuairisg, was confirmed to have been elected on Tuesday of this week after the society’s AGM on Sunday. Pierce O’Malley takes up the position of vice-president and Noel Brett is the new treasurer.

Other details from the AGM, which is closed to the public, are yet to be revealed but The Irish Field understands passport delays, cover certificates, finances, access to minutes and the use of the society’s showgrounds were among the motions put forward and items discussed. Some of these topics were also discussed at the 2022 AGM, the minutes for which have been adopted and are now available for public viewing on the CPBS website.