Nothing biting: Buyers in short supply at horse fair

THOUSANDS OF people descended on the renowned Spancilhill Horse Fair in Co Clare yesterday but buyers were in short supply.

Gort man James Walsh arrived with his horse at 8am and several hours later said he was tired of waiting for a bidder. “I’ve only had the one offer and I didn’t take it. I was offered €800, but I’m looking for €1,200.”

A regular at the fair for the past 50 years, Mr Walsh said: “My father used come here before me. I’m keeping the tradition up . . . but there is no money here this year.”

Horse dealer Miley Cash from Monasterevin, Co Kildare, said: “I am 62 years coming here. The stock is good, but the market is terrible.”

However, he added: “I have never missed coming here. It is my life, this is all I do. I know most of the farmers here and they are straight people here to deal with.”

Mr Cash added that the fair “is the biggest I have seen in Spancilhill but the farmers are depressed as there are very few buyers.”

Liam Shanahan from Broadford, Co Clare, said: “There is nothing happening like other years and I’m going to have to take my beating on these if I have to. I’ve been holding out for €2,000, but if I get €1,500 I’ll take it.”

Keeping a watchful eyes was ISPCA warden, Frankie Coote. The fair committee provides Mr Coote with the services of a vet for the day. “In terms of animal welfare, this is the best I’ve seen it. I have seen no horse I could class as borderline cruelty. Everything is in fantastic condition,” he said.