Madam, – It took me three readings of Miriam Lord’s contribution on Mullingar Show (Summer Living, July 13th) to be convinced that it was a lighthearted piece of factual reportage and not the insightful, incisive and hilarious satire which the same writer pens for her Dáil Sketch column.
Ms Lord knew she was “near the horses when the accents became more RDS and men and women strolled about, rears encased in jodhpurs that would put the Golden Bramahs to shame and cover a fair few duck eggs”.
Claiming as we do to live in a classless, post-colonial Ireland, are we not beyond the stereotype of the mounted landlord, or more likely his agent, flicking his whip at the cowering peasant? The overwhelming majority of participants exhibiting sports horses at shows throughout the country, including the RDS, are small- and mediumsized farmers and horse producers struggling to make a living in an area affected more than most by the current recession.These people work horrendous hours in all weathers, while contributing to an industry which continues to make Ireland world-renowned.
I presume that by an “RDS accent” Ms Lord refers to the much-pilloried short vowels and confident tones of the Anglo-Irish gentry. Those remnants of that social group who work with horses will recognise the inaccuracy of Ms Lord’s albeit frivolous portrayal.
However, many urban dwellers who increasingly have no rural roots need to be reminded that Irish people and their horses live in the 21st and not the 18th century.
Anyway what’s so wrong with having a backside like a Golden Bramah? – Yours, etc,