CROWDS OF up to 20,000 gathered at Buttevant, north Cork yesterday, for the 700-year-old Cahirmee horse fair, the oldest of its kind in Europe.
Gardaí implemented traffic diversions for motorists to skirt the town, as the main street was transformed into a scene reminiscent of times past as traders gathered to buy and sell, barter and banter over an array of horses, foals, cobs and geldings yesterday.
It is rumoured Bonaparte’s famous mount, Marengo, was bought at Cahirmee in 1799, as well as Wellington’s charger, Copenhagen, around 1810.
The horse fair transforms Buttevant into a thriving town which attracts thousands of people. A host of stalls along the main street offered everything from saddlery to sandals, and a range of antique dealers also added their wares.
Carpets, toys, tools, clothes, food and even psychic readings were available to fair-goers, who braved rain showers amid spells of sunshine. The fair came to Buttevant from Cahirmee Fair Field, 2km from the town, in 1921, and has taken place along the town’s main street yearly ever since.
Visitors witnessed the buying and selling of horses on the streets, while a horse show also took place with prizes including the best horse of the fair.
Thousands of euro changed hands during yesterday’s one-day event, as hagglers bid for the best bargains, and others sought out thoroughbreds in the hope of bagging the next big name in horseracing glory.