Rebirth at Kernan's of Crossmaglen

By Michael Slavin

There could be no livelier evidence of peace in Northern Ireland than the rebirth of Kernan's Equestrian Centre in Crossmaglen. Built on a border hill by Frank Kernan back in 1968, no sooner had it opened its doors than the troubles flared in South Armagh and it had to shut down. For 40 long years the hopes, dreams and vision of its founder languished behind closed doors. Now with peace in place, while Frank still lives, his son James has flung those doors open once more.

"When we began cleaning it up we found a dusty glass still standing on the bar from the day we closed, we keep it as a symbol," notes James. He, along with his sister Shirley and his fiancée Linda Fahey, are now breathing new life into this wonderful place of the northern horse. Back in those bleak years of the '60s, there was little in the way of serious indoor jumping in Ireland. Only Frank McGarry's in Sligo or Tommy Brennan's in Malahide existed as major venues. So there was little to emulate. But at Frank Kernan's side, as he planned his new venture, was great Italian Olympic champion Graziano Mancinelli. "Build it wide," he advised and that Frank did. Hence its massive span exists as a very useable venue for the shows of today. If all goes well, James will add some length to match the width. "My dad's foresight has really paid off," James says with obvious pride.

James Kernan was still just a young pony rider of 10 when it all began. But he can vividly recall the lively atmosphere of early shows there before the closure. Chief Justice Lord Lowry was one of the judges and his daughter Margie jumped there. But when the Troubles came, people like that would have been in danger. There was fear about. So the only option was roll down the doors and wait for better times to come.

Those times are here now. "No sooner was the Assembly up and running than we began to make plans to re-open", notes international star James with a broad smile. But behind that easy smile there is the kind of steely determination that brought him Ireland's first ever Junior European Championship back in 1974, a host of senior international wins, an Olympic team jacket and membership of four Aga Khan winning teams since 1977. With the road cleared for a revival, he took it with the same kind of vision and courage that drove his father all those 40 years ago.

On the day I met him in the now gleaming arena, he and Linda were clearing up after the previous day's amateur show that had catered for 100 entries from all around the northeast. That is just one example of the kind of activity that has graced the old place during the past year. James reels off a Guidam Indoor Grand prix (see report below), an Autumn League Grand prix, two major amateur shows, a February to April league plus regular pony shows with sponsorships from Forans, David Prentice and Martin Brothers. He also mentions a 70-strong course-building seminar in which he took part himself.

As to the future, he hopes to add that extra length to the arena and cater for an ever greater complement and variety of shows. That is the kind of vision that went into Kernan's of Crossmaglen from the beginning and which is now alive again.

This gleaming white and massive arena on that hill outside what had been a garrisoned town is in itself a potent symbol of northern peace in our time.