Big horseshoes to fill at Muckross Traditional Farms

Muckross Traditional Farms has welcomed two new members to its working team with the arrival of Paddy and Ace, two magnificent Clydesdale horses already drawing significant attention from staff and visitors alike.

The six-year-old horses step into the harness to replace long-serving Clydesdales Bud and Ned, who retired after working at the estate for over 20 years. Paddy and Ace certainly have big horseshoes to fill following the decades of service provided by their predecessors.
Paddy, officially registered as Clarnagh Jameson, originated in Kilcock, County Kildare. The Trustees of Muckross House purchased the six-year-old from breeder Cyril Downey, who also broke and trained him.
Ace, registered as Thorpe Hill Ace, travelled from Dale Abbey in Derby, UK, after being gifted directly to the estate by Mrs Sue Pratt to secure a forever home for the horse.
“We at the Traditional Farms were blown away with Mrs Pratt’s generosity and are delighted to accept such a fabulous horse,” said Toddy Doyle, Farm and Events Manager. “With over 70,000 visitors to the Traditional Farms so far this year, these two magnificent Clydesdales have already attracted so much attention. As the saying goes, never look a gift horse in the mouth!”
Clydesdales are chosen specifically for their immense strength, gentle nature, and placid temperament—traits essential for working around large public crowds. Paddy and Ace are currently undergoing training and will soon take on traditional farm duties, pulling the popular visitor carts and carriages across the estate.

Photo Caption
NEW ARRIVALS: Clydesdales Paddy and Ace settling into their new working home at Muckross Traditional Farms alongside Farm and Events Manager Toddy Doyle. Photos: Valerie O’Sullivan.

Eddie Sheehy named Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian recipient

Fossa resident Eddie Sheehy, founder of The Kenya Education Project, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award.

The former St Brigid’s Secondary College teacher will receive the Humanitarian Award Scroll, Medal, and the €3,000 O’Donoghue-Ring Bursary from Mayor of Killarney Councillor John O’Donoghue at an official ceremony in Killarney on Friday, October 30.
The award commemorates the wartime legacy of Killarney native Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, whose Rome Escape Line saved over 6,000 lives in Nazi-occupied Rome during the Second World War. Following a pause since spring 2020, the annual award resumed this year under the stewardship of Kerry County Council, the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, and the O’Donoghue-Ring Collection. The selection panel selected Mr Sheehy from 22 international and domestic nominations.
Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society Chairperson Jerry O’Grady praised the selection. “Eddie Sheehy is an outstanding example of what one individual with the support of his family and friends can do to enhance the lives of the poor and marginalised in our society,” he said.
Killarney Chamber President Johnny Maguire added: “We are delighted to continue to be associated with the Hugh O’Flaherty Humanitarian Award. His humanitarian work is an inspiration to us all – particularly in these difficult times across the world.”
Accepting the honour, Mr Sheehy said: “I am humbled to accept this award on behalf of all those that have helped with the project since it began back in 2003. Our vital work with the children of Embulbul, Kenya would not have been possible without the wonderful support we receive from schools, friends and local businesses.”

The Kenya Education Project

Founded in 2003 by Eddie Sheehy and his late wife Carmella following a volunteer trip to the Nakuru diocese, The Kenya Education Project supports the underprivileged community of Embulbul, Kenya. Starting with an annual table quiz in Killarney, the initiative initially focused on funding basic educational needs for the local primary school. Over the past two decades, the project has grown to encompass school food programmes, family support initiatives, local medical services, and funding an extension to a girls’ hostel at the local school, sustained by continuous support from Kerry schools and local businesses.

Previous Award Recipients

2009: GOAL aid workers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kawuki, held in captivity for 108 days in Darfur.
2010: Fr Michael Sinnott, Columban missionary abducted in the Philippines who returned to service after his release.
2011: Sally O’Neill, Trócaire Director of Operations who spent 40 years aiding crisis zones worldwide.
2012: Sr Agnes Hunt, former prison chaplain at Wormwood Scrubs and volunteer for the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas.
2013: Donal Walsh (Posthumous), 16-year-old Tralee teenager who inspired peers to value human life during his battle with cancer.
2014: Dr John Beavis, orthopaedic surgeon and founder of medical charity IDEALS, serving conflict zones in Gaza.
2015: Fr Sean Myers, Killarney-born Redemptorist missionary who spent 55 years serving oppressed communities in Northeast Brazil.
2016: Fr Shay Cullen, founder of the PREDA Foundation protecting exploited women and children in the Philippines.
2017: Sr Orla Treacy, Loreto nun who established primary and secondary schools in war-torn South Sudan.
2018: Ireland’s Rescue Services, honoring the RNLI, Irish Coast Guard, and Kerry Mountain Rescue volunteer teams.
2019: Ireland’s UN Peacekeepers, recognizing Irish Defence Forces personnel serving continuous global missions since 1958.