A century after Galway man Michael O’Malley travelled with two small steeds from Rosmuc to London’s Olympia, the Connemara Pony Breeders Society plans to pay tribute to its founder.
The international society intends to unveil a plaque outside O’Malley’s home early next month to commemorate the “remarkable man” who introduced the Connemara pony to the wider world. Such was O’Malley’s passion for the breed that, in June 1912, he undertook the long trek to London to show two ponies at a breed parade.
The plaque unveiling in O’Malley’s native Rosmuc on August 6th marks the opening of the 89th annual Connemara Pony Festival in Clifden, which takes place on August 9th and 10th.
