Latest news with #MyLovelyHorseAnimalRescue
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Stepping it out at €610k Ledbury in Conna with nod to super hoofers Flatley & Monty's Pass
SUPER hoofers — human and animal — have ties with Ledbury, a gallopingly good split-level property in Conna. Ledbury's connections with speed and stamina are as follows: The Waterford joiner that built the staircase in Castlehyde for Lord of the Dance's Michael Flatley, also made the staircase at Ledbury; the horse that won the 2003 Aintree Grand National, Monty's Pass, trained in the yard next door. Staircase at Ledbury Amidst all this fancy footwork, it was inevitable that some of it would rub off on Ledbury which comes with its own stable yard and four loose boxes, each fitted with automatic drinkers, rubber matting and feed mangers. Four stables ready for new occupants There's a grass arena too, and a large feed and tack room (also for use as a covered hay barn) and there's a water supply to three drinking troughs in the fields around the house, where horses or ponies can graze to their hock's content. It's the kind of set-up you'd envisage as the dream buy for a family of horsey types. Ledbury didn't start out with its best hoof forward. In 1979, the year it was built, it was no more than an over-basement bungalow, owned by agricultural advisor John Anthony, who used the basement for offices. He sold it in 2012 to a UK-based couple, Jo and Patrick Clarke, who relocated from Derbyshire, after falling for the pretty Bride Valley village of Conna. The Clarke's took the bit between the teeth and re-ordered the house completely, upgrading every element, installing the new staircase, and ultimately delivering a high-end home, with a commendable B3 energy rating, and enough space (3,700 sq ft) for an entire yard of stable hands. In time, the house and three acres of grounds outgrew the Clarke's and they put it on the market in 2016 — whereupon it was spotted by a family looking to move out of a semi-d in Midleton's Broomfield to a detached home in the countryside. 'My wife Laura always had an eye out for a detached home with more room and when she saw Ledbury, she absolutely fell for it,' says current owner, Henry Switzer, who bought the property, next door to the yard of horse trainer Jimmy Mangan (Monty's Pass) in 2017. Although their kids are more focused on swimming pools than stables, the couple themselves knew a thing or two about horses. Laura had been involved in eventing and Henry had found himself 'of all places, on one of the German national studs outside Munich, while I was trying to become a sound engineer'. They put Ledbury to good use as a sanctuary for mistreated ponies, taking referrals from My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue. 'They were ponies that had been mistreated, so getting them to trust humans again— that was so, so rewarding,' Henry says. 'Like people, some horses are difficult and some are easy,' he adds. The Switzers also fostered a few lurchers and kept hens. 'What the house represented for us was freedom – to move around, to have animals, room for the kids to roam. It was very much a lifestyle choice for us,' Henry says. Among the loveliest features is the acre of landscaped gardens and the various patio and terrace areas that overlook them. The star of the show though is the first-floor roof top garden terrace, with spectacular views to the Galtee and Knockmealdown mountains. The same views — spanning four counties — are served up to the sunroom, which opens onto the terrace, as does the first floor living room. Sensibly, the main daytime accommodation is upstairs — including the kitchen (with AGA) and family room. The kitchen at Ledbury Six bedrooms are spread across the two floors, with one in use as a library. The main downstairs bedroom has French doors to a patio and there's a conservatory to the rear. Rear terrace Henry says he will 'miss the views the most', but that it's time to move on as their kids' needs have changed. Adrianna Hegarty of Hegarty Properties is selling the five-bed Conna home with double garage and brings it to market with an AMV of €610,000. 'It's been redesigned and renovated to a very high spec and orientated to make the most of the spectacular views,' the agent says. She adds that it 'will excite families with an interest in horses, as well as fishing enthusiasts' as both the rivers Blackwater and Bride are nearby. Moreover the layout could easily accommodate guest accommodation or Airbnb, Ms Hegarty says. Conna village is within walking distance of Ledbury, the town of Midleton is a 20-minute drive, Fermoy is 10 minutes away, there's handy access to the Dublin motorway and Shannon Airport is 30 minutes by car. VERDICT: Quality home on beautiful grounds, ideal for horsey types. Successful bidder gains entry to the Winner's Enclosure.
Irish Independent
14-05-2025
- Irish Independent
‘Heartbroken and horrified' – Garda probe launched as footage emerges of boys beating horses in Tipperary
Gardaí in Clonmel are investigating the footage which has been shared by animal welfare groups and others. It shows two to three boys apparently beating or whipping small horses or ponies in what is understood to be the Cashel road area of Clonmel. The groups have called on members of the public who witness such animal abuse to contact gardaí. Gardaí said they are aware of a video in circulation online and through direct messaging apps that depicts an incident of animal cruelty involving a horse, and which is alleged that it occurred at a location in Clonmel, Co Tipperary on Sunday, May 11. 'Efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the time and date cited in the video, however, our enquiries remain ongoing,' said a garda spokesperson. Gardaí and Inspectors from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) visited the location shown in the video on Tuesday afternoon, May 13, to search a number of acres of farmland. The welfare of all the animals present was checked and inspected. No alleged offences under the Animal and Welfare Act were identified during this search and there were no concerns for the welfare of the animals present. Enquiries are ongoing, added the spokesperson. Animal welfare groups have called on members of the public who witness such animal abuse to call local gardaí. On Monday, May 12, My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue said they were 'heartbroken and horrified by the footage of two ponies being viciously whipped in Clonmel just yesterday.' 'No animal should ever endure such cruelty. This is not an isolated case. We now have further witness statements and evidence pointing to ongoing abuse in the area – involving more than just horses. The incident has been reported to the gardaí. But we need your help to strengthen the case and push for real action. 'If you have any footage, photos, or information that can support justice, please send it to us as soon as possible. If you witness cruelty, record it only if safe to do so. Report it to the gardaí immediately. 'We are calling for immediate action. The time for change is now. We are their voices. We will not stop until justice is done,' added a spokesperson. Nearly 2,000 people have commented on the 19-second video clip shared by My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue. ADVERTISEMENT Independent Tipperary Cllr Liam Browne said he has spoken with gardaí, county council representatives and the ISPCA. 'All three agencies are dealing with the contents and I'm happy to allow them continue their investigations and to come to hopefully satisfactory conclusions,' said Cllr Browne. 'From my own point of view, this needs to be dealt with under a number of pieces of legislation, that is the Animal Welfare Act 2013 and the Control of Horses Act 1996. On a broader comment, I would absolutely condemn anyone who harms or abuses an animal in any way. Anyone. And any animal. 'There is no excuse for it, and personally if an investigation concludes an animal has been harmed, it should be taken, and those involved should never be allowed own or have animals again. 'This issue has arisen on a number of occasions both at district and plenary meetings of the council, and each time councillors have expressed the need for increased services to deal with animal welfare. I, and I am sure my fellow councillors, will continue to ask for these services. 'I also believe that national legislation should be changed to restrict the driving of sulkies by children. Currently it's illegal to drive an electric scooter or bike on the roads, by a person under 16 years of age, but we allow children no more than four or five to take charge of horses on busy roads. "This is a danger to the horses, road users and most importantly the children themselves. 'Culture' or 'tradition' or 'entitlement' should have no part in this conversation. It's about safety. 'National legislators need to grasp this nettle once and for all. It's time they did so. As for the current incident, please allow the proper authorities to complete their investigations,' added Cllr Browne.
