“Riding is a beautiful escape”

WITH several albums to his name and a Guinness world record for “the fastest fingers on the accordion”, Irish multi-instrumentalist

Liam O’Connor has certainly made his mark in the international music industry. But when he steps off stage, Liam is keen to put himself in the equestrian spotlight.

“Riding is a total escape, a beautiful escape, because horses give you unconditional love,” says Liam, who toured the world in Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance and more recently collaborated with Boy George. “It helps keep the balance. But I like a bit of competition; if there’s something to be won, I’ll go for it.”

A regular on the amateur showjumping circuit with his mare Parkmore Reeba (Gabs), Liam has trained with some of Ireland’s great horsemen, including Olympic showjumper Jack Doyle and former chef d’equipe Robert Splaine. With Gabs hopefully in foal to Denis Lynch’s Nations Cup stallion Cristello, he hopes to find “something nice” in the meantime to showjump and event.

“It’s a great feeling to go in the arena and jump a round of fences,” says Liam, who is based at Charlie Coakley’s Woodlands Equestrian Centre in Killarney. “Horses are in my blood. Once I’d found my feet in the music business, I wanted to go back to what I loved.”

WHEN TWO WORLDS MEET: As a household name in Ireland, where he has ridden and performed at the iconic Millstreet venue, Liam is keen to maintain a professional image.

“I’m into excellence and always have my horse turned out really well,” he says. “You’ve got to keep your standards up. I don’t want people thinking, ‘Oh God, that’s the music man, looking a mess.’”