‘I absolutely love farming. And horses. We grew up on the farm in Crannaghmore, outside Athlone. P.J, my father, is a total Roscommon GAA fan and Mam, who comes from Laois, was brought up on a dairy farm.

Originally suckler farmers, we’ve transitioned into a calf-to-beef programme, rearing suck calves to produce as store cattle. Every summertime, Sunday was spent going to shows, so from helping getting foals to lead to plaiting, it was always a busy time.

There was an added interest last year with more emphasis on three-year-old loose performance and young event horse classes. Crannaghmore Going For One (Loughehoe Guy x Cavalier Royale) was bought as a foal by my father and brother, Lorcan. Connaughton’s pub, halfway between Athlone and Ballinasloe, is where her name comes from, as it’s often a little Sunday night ritual after a show, good day or otherwise, to “go for one.”

Proud moment

Second in the 2022 All Ireland three-year-old filly final in Dungarvan, she qualified on her first day out in Forth Mountain, Wexford, for the Dublin four-year-old young event horse final. She had an outstanding performance with Gwen Scott in the main arena, a very proud moment to watch. Our plans are to bring her back under saddle to Dublin this year.

Over in Simmonscourt, Crannaghmore Candy Distance (Sligo Candy Boy) was in the three-year-old loose performance final, that was another highlight watching her. A busy Thursday because we were glued to the Irish Draught stallions, as we have Edenagor Rosie, the dam of champion Edenagor Star, who was bred by Jim McNulty. Rosie is scanned in foal to the reserve champion Moylough Legacy which made the day even more exciting.

Dad would have qualified for Breeders Championships with Parkmore Diva (Van Dantzig) so we’d always watch that final too. We were very proud to hear Athlone announced as the qualifying show when Bridget Devaney’s mare and foal won the show jumping section of The Irish Field Breeders Championship. That was a huge achievement for Athlone Show.

Ballinasloe Show and Fair are another Glynn tradition and I was privileged to be the Queen of the Fair in 2022, especially as that year was the horse fair’s 300th anniversary. Ballinasloe, Roscommon, Moate and of course Athlone are local agricultural shows. I initially became involved with Athlone Show to support PJ, who was on the Equine Committee, and I was the Equine Secretary last year.

Family ponies

We had a very successful show last June with all varieties of livestock, horses and dogs and over 100 equine classes alone, from family ponies to All-Ireland Dublin qualifiers. The return of the bovine and poultry sections was a great addition. It was an outstanding team effort in the equine section, from the secretaries tent to each ring and the helpful Moate Show and Midland Youth Group crews. Without this entire supportive network, it wouldn’t be possible.

After the recent AGM, Dad is now the show chairman, Oliver Flanagan is show secretary and I was nominated to continue as Equine Secretary and we’d hope to have another successful show day on Sunday 16 June.

Learning curve

Why did I take on the role? Well, I wanted to give something back to the shows, simple as that. It was a challenge. I’d say in the weeks leading up to the show, it was doing show paperwork around the kitchen table from the minute we got home from school until we went to bed that night, but we really enjoyed it. The first year is always a learning curve and if I was to give advice to exhibitors, it would be please get your entries in on time. That would definitely reduce the workload!

When I said getting home from school, I teach at St. Comans Wood Primary School in Roscommon and graduated from Mary Immaculate College in Limerick. It sounds a cliché but teaching is such a rewarding job. It’s not about the long summer holidays, there’s so much responsibility but I love it.

Teagasc crosses my path a lot. I did the Teagasc Young Breeders, placing third in the 2019 final at the National Ploughing Championships.

During lockdown, I completed a Sport Horse Breeding course and just before Christmas, got engaged to Colm Murray, a Teagasc advisor. From a farming background too, Colm is a beef and sheep farmer near Roscommon town and his farm is always an opportunity for learning, especially around lambing season.

No wedding plans yet. I’m just in a bubble, soaking up the excitement with our engagement, which took me completely by surprise. We had just gotten the Christmas holidays and were heading away for the night over to Connemara, when Colm proposed at Ballynahinch Castle, an absolutely magical place. 2023 was an exceptional year – a special year.

Travel is another passion. “See the world when you can,” is my motto and last year’s travels included Greece, Croatia, Montenegro and Iceland. I’d always research beforehand but Iceland was very different than expected.Blizzards, geysers, the Blue Lagoon, Northern Lights, absolutely amazing. And yes, I saw the lovely little Icelandic ponies, maybe we could put a class on at Athlone this June.

It brings home though, watching now about Iceland’s volcanic eruptions and the international news, how Ireland is still a great country to live in!