Connemara Pony Festival 2026
Annual Clifden Connemara Ponies Show 🐎
August 2026 marks 101 Years of the Connemara Pony Show and the festival promises a host of exciting events.
The Connemara Pony Festival is the premier show for Connemara Ponies in Ireland for breeders and owners from home and overseas. The annual Connemara Pony Festival & Show in Clifden, Co Galway attracts visitors from all over the world. The highlight of the festival is on Thursday and Friday, when the biggest showcase of Connemara Ponies in the world takes place.
Ponies compete in in-hand classes, ridden classes, working hunter classes, and a puissance (or high jump) competition. For non-pony enthusiasts, there is a dog show, a domestic arts show and Irish Dancing. There are a range of craft stalls along the edge of the showgrounds, where regional Irish Countrywomen’s Association members run their own competitions for prize winning eggs, jams, baked goods, arts and crafts.
2026 Connemara Pony Festival prices
| Date | Adults | OAPs/Students | Age 12–18 | U12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 19 Aug 2026 | €12 | €7 | €7 | Free |
| Thu 210Aug 2026 | €10 | €5 | €5 | Free |
| Fri 21 Aug 2026 | €10 | €5 | €5 | Free |
| 3 Day Pass (Wed–Fri) | €25 | €15 | €15 | Free |
Learn about the Connemara Pony 🐴
History of the Connemara Pony
The Connemara Pony, a beloved breed in County Galway, boasts a heritage shrouded in fascinating tales and diverse origins. Legend whispers of Scandinavian ponies, initially introduced to Ireland by Vikings, contributing to the Connemara’s genetic tapestry. Another strand weaves through the Irish Hobby, an extinct breed dating back to the pre-13th century.
Intriguingly, the Spanish Armada’s misfortune in 1588 plays a role in this equine saga. Galleons ran aground, releasing Andalusian horses into the Irish landscape. These elegant Spanish breeds intermingled with the local stock, imparting refinement to the native ponies.
Whether from Viking ponies, the Irish Hobby, or the Andalusians of the Spanish Armada, the Connemara Pony stands as a testament to the harmonious fusion of international influences. Today, these hardy ponies grace the sometimes harsh lands of west County Galway, their presence a living legacy of a rich and storied past.
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Connemara Ponies FAQs
Where in Ireland is the annual Connemara Pony Show?
Where can you see Connemara ponies?
Contact the Festival
Phone: +353 (0)95 21863
Email: [email protected]
CPBS Offices: The Showgrounds,
Clifden, Co. Galway, H71 YA09, Ireland
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