Meet the 8-year-old pigeon fancier from Carlow with 22 racing birds and big ambitions

After falling in love with pigeons at an afterschool club, Óran Maher now races birds and hopes more children will join the sport

Eight year old Órann Maher from Grangeford Carlow, with his pigeons. Pictures: Alf Harvey

It was during an afterschool activity that Óran Maher found his calling in life as one of Ireland’s youngest pigeon fanciers.

The eight-year-old, who made it his mission to race birds after the encounter, remembers that day with fondness.

“Michael, who owns the afterschool I used to go to, brought in some of his pigeons,” the second class pupil in St Brigid’s National School tells the Irish Examiner. 

Óran releasing his pigeons.

“He put one on my head. I kept asking my mum and dad if I could get my own pigeon after that. Their answer was always the same — maybe next year.” 

Óran’s request continued for a year until his parents realised this was more than a passing phase. They decided to invest in a loft for the budding bird lover to get started. Staff at the afterschool were also keen to show their support. 

Touched by his interest in a sport typically associated with a far older demographic, pigeon master Michael Purcell from Stay and Play made the ultimate gesture.

Batman and Robin — Óran's first two pigeons

“Michael gave me my first two pigeons,” says Óran. “I called them Batman and Robin. I only named the first two because there are too many to remember. Also, a lot of them look exactly the same.” 

Óran's mother Carmel explains how they got started. “Michael only brought over two initially so he would have enough to practise with. He learned all about how to care for them and home them back with his whistle.” 

Óran, who lives with his parents and three siblings — Fíonn, 13, Caoimhe, 12, and Cadán, 5, learned a wealth from the pigeon master.

Óran and his mentor Michael Purcell.

“When Michael gave them to me I had to keep them locked in for a while because they wouldn’t know where their house was otherwise. They might just fly away or go back to where they were born. 

When I see them now I don’t even have to blow my whistle. They just come to me when they see me. I don’t really miss the pigeons when they’re gone because they normally come back. I only really miss them when they don’t return from a race.

The Carlow native currently has 22 pigeons in his racing loft and is breeding a further 40 birds.

“Even though he doesn’t attend that afterschool anymore, Óran still sees Michael every day and they talk pigeons for a minute after school,” says Carmel. 

“He is giving us great advice because we are still only learning.” 

It's not just his family who were delighted to hear about Óran's involvement in the sport. “One of my neighbours, Reggie, is three gardens down and he races pigeons too," says Carmel. 

"When his pigeons are racing at the same time as Óran’s they actually realise which house is which.” 

Óran's dad Fergal has also been a positive source of support. 

“We need to build a bigger loft so we can separate them a bit better,” says Carmel. 

One of Óran's pigeons.

“Fergal is out every single evening to help with training. You can train them as much as you want at the loft but they have to get mileage in. They have to start going a couple of miles down the road and gradually a bit further and a bit further until we get them to 28 miles.” 

Getting more children involved

Óran is keen to see more kids his age get involved in the sport.

“It’s a good sport to have,” he says. “I love going out to the loft. My best friend thinks that what I’m doing is really cool. One of my friends wants to buy a pigeon from me. I’m going to breed pigeons and give them for free so that there can be more children like me doing the sport.

He admits not everyone is a fan, however.

Some people in my class don’t like pigeons. Even my mum was very afraid of the birds at the start.

Carmel extends her gratitude to everyone who has helped Óran along his journey. “I know that Óran would like to say a big thank you to everyone he has met in the pigeon world who has given him birds,” she says. 

“Some of the biggest breeders in the country have given him pigeons from their lofts and he’s very grateful to them. Every single person he has met through the sport has been absolutely amazing to him, whether that was by sharing knowledge or feeding equipment. 

"Every single person he has met has helped him in one way or another.” 

Óran will be among a number of young people featuring at a charity pigeon event which also entails an auction in aid of St Laserian's Special School in Carlow. 

The event takes place at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel on October 24-25.