Centuries old horse fair falls foul of Coronavirus
ONE of the longest established autumn horse fairs in the country in Millstreet has become the latest victim of the Coronavirus pandemic after its cancellation was announced.
The annual September Horse Fair attracted equestrian enthusiasts from all over Ireland and from all traditions to buy and sell horses but restrictions on numbers attending outdoor events coupled with health and safety issues surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak meant it could not be staged this year.
In its hey day, the Fair attracted visitors far and wide, providing a huge economic boost for the town. From previous generations of yore, the Fair once upon a time provided horses for the armies of Europe and closer to home, Guinness Brewery availed of equine stock to draw their popular stout all over the country.
Changing times and from the past decade or so, the September Horse Fair became more of a social outing by meeting renewing acquaintances and generating new friendships.
And the trappings of the modern day Horse Fair attracted interest with the streets all awash with stalls of every conceivable nature. A throng of street traders would dot the Town Square and Main Street, vendors thrilled to declare a roaring trade from the latest CDs to a mobile phone.
Down through the years, the passage of time failed to knock the staging of Horse Fair Day in Millstreet and fingers are crossed that once Covid 19 is eradicated, Millstreet Fair Day will return.