Rain and low prices dampen annual horse fair
For the first time in decades, there were no bumper to bumper tailbacks on the busiest day of the year in the Co Kerry town, all due to the recently opened bypass.
“Nothing would move here today if we hadn’t the bypass,” said Castleisland councillor and publican Bobby O’Connell.
Large numbers of horses, ponies and donkeys lined the broad main street. But the unanimous verdict was that the fair was poor – hardly worth getting wet for owners who waited patiently for potential purchasers to come along.
Bargains were there for those prepared to seek them out.
Paddy Noonan, of Buttevant, Co Cork, was happy to pay €250 for a filly foal which he reckoned would have cost him €1,000 three or four years ago.
“The market has collapsed. I remember selling a very good animal here, a few years ago, for €1,200. I’d be lucky to get €300 or €400 for the same animal today,” he remarked.
But, given the huge amount of horses going to factories for slaughter, he believed the situation could change in a few years when the surplus will have disappeared and demand begins to rise again.
“You’ll see horse prices going up again. Give it about four years. Mark my words,” he predicted.
It seemed some people in Castleisland yesterday were prepared to give animals away almost for nothing – one of the talking points of the fair was the reported sale of two pony foals for just €60.
But, it was a good day for business generally, especially for public houses and restaurants along the main street, as people sought shelter from the rain.
Businessman Den Joe O’Connor maintained the fair should continue to be held on the street.
“It’s an old tradition; it’s good for the town and it’s much better than having nothing. A lot of towns would love to have it.”
