Horse fair’s bit of magic is priceless

Burren farmer Micheal Barry was not having too many takers for his two horses in the fairgreen at Spancilhill Horse Fair, but he said "the fair still holds the magic".

Yesterday, thousands converged on Spancilhill outside Ennis for the annual June 23 fair and Mr Barry, a farmer from Boston, Tubber, north Clare, said he had one bid the previous evening for one of his horses.

Standing with his gelding and mare at the sun-kissed fairgreen, he said: “The bid was €730 for the gelding and I was looking for €850 and I’m half sad now I didn’t take it.”

Mr Barry said he was prepared to tough it out until 6pm or 7pm for a sale “but if I walk out with them, I won’t be disappointed, there will be a smile of my face”.

He explained: “There is no money to be had in horses. It is tough to make a buck. It is a passion, it is a love and more than a money-making thing. I was born with horses, it is in the blood.

“I love coming here and meeting so and so and you would hear that someone passed away and it makes you realise that life is very fragile and that resonates here at the fair.

“There is a great bit of magic at the fair and the fair still holds the magic especially early in the morning with the sun coming up over the field and warmth in the air — you couldn’t put a price on it.”

At the other end of the green, horse dealer Miley Cash was busy putting prices on lots of horses. A line of 15 horses with the red capital ‘C’ marked out Miley’s purchases so far.

A queue of would-be horse sellers were anxious to show of their wares to Miley One told him: “There are no ifs and buts about this horse, Miley.”

Another offered a skewbald, asking for €1,400. The deal was done for €1,000.

Miley, now 71, has been coming to Spancilhill for the past 65 years. “When I have money down I have to be happy,” he said. “If I am going to cry, I cry alone. I don’t want any of these fellas see me crying.”

The affable Co Offaly native is one of the largest buyers of horses at the fair every June, and said yesterday: “I would hope to buy around 60 horses today.

“Price is a little bit up, it is not that the prices are much different. People are buzzing, and they want to spend money now and the doom and gloom is nearly over.”

In the green, Lisdoonvarna matchmaker Willie Daly has four horses for sale but selling the animals isn’t his sole focus for the day.

“I have been coming here since I was a young boy,” said Willie. “I treat it is a little social outing and incorporate a little bit of matchmaking.”