In a little pocket of the countryside in Aughrim, Co Wicklow, lies a magical place called Tir Na nOg, where humans and horses connect in ways that many would never have thought possible.
While Celtic mythology might suggest a make-believe place where kids roam freely without discomfort or unhappiness, this real-life centre is doing its best to bring as much joy as possible to both its young – and older – visitors, using the magical power of horses.
This small but mighty equine-assisted therapy riding centre is the brainchild of 45-year-old Siobhan Duffy, who has seen firsthand how transformative the horse and human connection can be.
As a child, Siobhan admits she always found solace in the company of horses, choosing to muck out stables and tack and handle from the age of eight.
‘I just found just being with the animals so calming and therapeutic,’ she says. ‘When I lost my mum at 18 – she was only 56 – I really found pockets of peace through that grief when I was around horses. Not just their intuitive nature; something about the ritual of caring for them felt so grounding.
‘It was more than a pastime for me, it was a deep emotional connection,’ she shrugs. ‘I’ve always known how special horses were and how they can make a difference to humans.’
So it makes sense that Siobhan decided to make these majestic animals loom ever larger in her life. She decided to train as a therapeutic riding coach in Bray’s Festina Lente centre, which equipped her with the qualifications and skills to open her own therapy riding centre in September 2022.
She started with a pony, three clients and ’11 cent in my bank account’, she laughs. Fast forward to today, Siobhan has a stable of six hard-working ponies, who have brought untold benefits to hundreds of children and adults, through therapeutic riding, pony camps and social interactions.
From the get-go, Siobhan wanted a fully-inclusive offering, for people of all ages and disabilities, and that includes making the centre financially accessible to all. For example, Tir Na nOg hosts a social club every second Sunday that allows an entire family to enjoy this place for an hour and a half – kids on the horses, cuppas and biscuits for the parents – for just €30.
‘I didn’t want to drive up the prices, because that affects access for families,’ she says. ‘I was inspired to set up the social club because about 80 per cent of our clients might have additional needs, so the kids get overwhelmed in situations and are triggered by sights and sounds, so they wouldn’t be comfortable in, say, a cinema or shopping centre. Whereas here they get to be kids, they get to spend time with the horses, jump and run around and simply be free.
‘We get kids coming in with crippling shyness or anxiety, who might be struggling at school, or who are being bullied, or going through a family split,’ says Siobhan, who has seen first-hand how therapy ponies can help build confidence, improve social skills and manage anxiety in children and adults alike.
‘Then you get kids who are non-verbal, who come and form bonds with these animals and their lives begin to change. I’ve seen parents break down in tears because they can’t believe they’ve heard their children laugh for the first time in years. It’s a safe space for them, and the joy that comes with that…’ she says, her voice cracking with emotion. ‘It’s humbling, to say the least.
‘Then physically, I’m seeing kids coming in with additional needs and say hip dysplasia and hypermobility or low core strength, and horse riding helps them so much,’ she says, adding that they are also honing their focus and concentration skills.
Today, Tir Na nOg remains a one-woman show; with Siobhan relying on the help of volunteers and her daughter Leah to keep the stable doors open. Because of the small scale of the operation, she receives no state funding and this means that everything – from insurance to feed to veterinary bills – comes out of her own pocket. Sadly, the reality of running such a financially-stretched facility means that there is a question mark over the centre’s future next year.
‘It’s a real struggle to keep things going,’ she admits. ‘Definitely, there has to be hard choices made in the new year. I’m a social enterprise and I provide a community service, but I’m too small to be a charity right now, which needs board members and big financial input. There are grants available but the problem is I need money up front to go for them in the first place, and I don’t even have that.’
This Christmas, Siobhan is calling on the public – both in a personal and corporate capacity – to help keep the centre open and smiles on the faces of the children it has helped so much through its sponsor-a-pony fundraiser.
Every donation, no matter the amount, makes a difference in providing care and resources for these very special animals that play a vital role in this hugely important work.
‘Winter time is particularly challenging – between bedding and hay and feeds and veterinary, you’re talking at least €400 a week,’ says Siobhan. ‘We’d love to expand to provide facilities such as a playroom/sensory room, and more classes and camps and clubs for families, but I can’t do it all on my own.
‘It would be lovely to be able to have staff and more ponies. Poppy, for example, is my ginger mare who is in her late 20s and I have to put her in retirement soon, and let her take a break for the rest of her days. She’s getting tired,’ Siobhan reflects of her gorgeous big girl, who, alongside her other four-legged hard workers, seem nothing short of extraordinary.
‘These therapy ponies, they are a special breed, not every horse can be one,’ says Siobhan. ‘They have to be tried and tested to see if they have patience and tolerance. They are more loyal than people. They do everything that’s asked of them, even what’s against their nature.
‘If they are frightened, they won’t run away or startle. Children might be overwhelmed with emotions, and these ponies absorb them, but they don’t act out. They walk with us calmly every day, no matter what.’
To support Tir Na Nog go here
The horses of Tir Na NOg
Poppy
In her late 20s, Poppy spent many of her years as a pony for children’s horse-riding lessons, and she just wasn’t ready to hang up her hooves. This gentle, kindhearted girl is a lady through and through, as reliable as she is beautiful.
Kutz
A retired 19-yearold champion Welsh cob, Katz gave her owner four foals and won everything going in her classes. This winning mare brings that unshakeable nature to her therapy work and is gentle, kind and brilliant with children.
Dude
A newbie to the team, this eight-year-old cob was injured as foal and had a large lump on his face but he is just as handsome and brilliant as the rest. Kind and gentle, Dude does his jog without question every day without question and has proved his worth over and over.
Bobby
Bobby is a little cheeky chappie at only six years old. He loves his food and treats, and is a yard favourite with a fun personality the kids really connect with.
Squirt
Don’t be fooled by the name or size – this 17-year-old mountain pony is nothing short of majestic. Squirt once belonged to a little girl who is now all grown up, and was once famous in the Waterford pony club for his enormous jumps, high jinks and his speed.
Pula
Diminutive white dapple Pula is approximately 14 years old. He’s sweet and kind and despite his size he isn’t afraid of anything and will stand stoic at whatever life throws at him
