The Connemara Pony & Roundstone
The Beginning
In 1923 a group of men got together in Vaughan’s Hotel in Roundstone and put what is now the Connemara
Pony Show together. The Worlds First Connemara Pony Show was held in the Monastery grounds in
Roundstone and was officially opened by the Maharajah Prince Ranjitsinjhi of Nawanjar.
People involved were: John Cloherty, Josie Mongan, Tom McDonagh, Fr. OJ White PP Roundstone, T. Cotter,
W. Roe, T. McD. Kelly and a few others.
Roundstone to Recess to Clifden
The first Pony Show was held in Roundstone in 1924 and moved to Recess in 1925. The Pony Show travelled
well. Carna for two years, then Clifden, Oughterard and back to Roundstone in 1931 & 1932. Back to Carna
again for twelve years and finally settled in Clifden sometime in 1940s.
The Revival
The Roundstone Pony Show is now in its 10th Year and is held annually on the second Sunday in July. Former
Chairman Paddy 'Yank' McDonagh moved the show plus various other events to Farrell's Field above the
Village on Monastery Road. Current Chairman Brian Mullen and his hardworking committee would like to
thank everyone for who has helped and supported the events held in Farrell’s Field.
In 2015 we achieved another milestone and became members of the Irish Shows Association, further
cementing Roundstone's reputation as a wonderful show location.
In 1923 a group of men got together in Vaughan’s Hotel in Roundstone and put what is now the Connemara
Pony Show together. The Worlds First Connemara Pony Show was held in the Monastery grounds in
Roundstone and was officially opened by the Maharajah Prince Ranjitsinjhi of Nawanjar.
People involved were: John Cloherty, Josie Mongan, Tom McDonagh, Fr. OJ White PP Roundstone, T. Cotter,
W. Roe, T. McD. Kelly and a few others.
Roundstone to Recess to Clifden
The first Pony Show was held in Roundstone in 1924 and moved to Recess in 1925. The Pony Show travelled
well. Carna for two years, then Clifden, Oughterard and back to Roundstone in 1931 & 1932. Back to Carna
again for twelve years and finally settled in Clifden sometime in 1940s.
The Revival
The Roundstone Pony Show is now in its 10th Year and is held annually on the second Sunday in July. Former
Chairman Paddy 'Yank' McDonagh moved the show plus various other events to Farrell's Field above the
Village on Monastery Road. Current Chairman Brian Mullen and his hardworking committee would like to
thank everyone for who has helped and supported the events held in Farrell’s Field.
In 2015 we achieved another milestone and became members of the Irish Shows Association, further
cementing Roundstone's reputation as a wonderful show location.
