Noel Mullins New Book Release

Noel Mullins, author and photo-journalist from Loughrea in Co Galway, has a long association with horses and hunting in particular. He is the author of “The Origins of Irish Horse Fairs & Horse Sales,” “Horse Tales and Hunt Talk,” and, “The Irish Hunter,” and has recently released his new book: “The Dublin Horse Show: Pictures of my Memories”. Noel has brought his wealth of experience in writing and photography to his latest book, which he has achieved through reporting equestrian events across the world for The Irish Field, as well as many other journals including The Chronicle of the Horse, Foxhunting Life and Horse Country in the USA, and Gulf News in Dubai. He was has delivered papers and talks on subjects including the Irish horse, Irish horse sales and their origins, and Foxhunting and related literature.

He is a member of the Library and Archives Committee of the Royal Dublin Society, and his recent publication offers a pictorial journey through the years he has attended The Dublin Horse Show with 800 images carefully selected from thousands of Noel’s memories of the Show. The images include famous names such as Tommy Wade, Frances Cash, Paul Darragh and Cian O’Connor, as well as the Irish Army Team, four-time winners of the Aga Khan Cup. Also included is Dorothea Findlater, who was interviewed in 2016 at 108 years of age, making her the oldest known spectator and competitor at the Show.

There are also images of significant events which have taken place at the Show, such as the recent visit from the Princess Royal, and a visit by Bruce and Patti Springsteen to watch their daughter Jessica competing for the USA Aga Khan winning team. There are images of the RDS Library and Archives Exhibitions, and of the arrival of the Dublin Lord Mayor in his gold gilded coach of 1789, pulled by four horses, as he comes to open the Show each year. The photos give a tour through the classes and events of the Show, as a reminder to those who have attended of the huge range of competitions to witness or as something to persuade those who have never attended to make the journey. Some highlights of the competitions photographed in Noel’s book include the Grand Prix, Ridden and In-Hand Hunter classes, Racehorse to Riding Horse classes, Cobs and Coloured Horses classes, native Irish breeds’ classes including the Irish Draught and Connemara Pony, Pony Club Games and Riding for the Disabled.

The book provides stunning images of all aspects of The Dublin Horse Show including the history, special events and highlights for competitors and spectators. There is also a foreword written by Matthew Dempsey, former President of the Royal Dublin Society, and who is chairman of the Irish National Stud and the Agricultural Trust. The book, along with Noel’s other publications, are available from www.noelmullins.com if you wish to appreciate the Show through his fantastic visuals.