The Coolmore group is a large employer in the Tipperary region with over 1,300 people employed directly across its operations. While the prime business is the bloodstock industry, the group also employs people in a multitude of areas.
These jobs range from the well-known Ballydoyle racing stables and farming enterprise to hospitality at the Cashel Palace Hotel.
While the group are looking for the next generation of horsemen and women who are the ‘lifeblood’ of their farms, they are also seeking agricultural scientists, tradespeople, accountants and tech specialists.
To encourage young people to seek out the different employment opportunities in rural Ireland and within their own enterprises, the group hosted their second Coolmore careers fair in Fethard Town Park on Thursday 23 April.
Over 900 students from 15 post-primary schools across Tipperary attended an immersive day which showcased the wide-ranging career options in farming, bloodstock, and tourism.
“We’re trying to give students exposure to the global business of Coolmore,” says James Mockridge, farm manager at Coolmore. “We’re pulling back the curtain to show the Coolmore franchise is more than just elite bloodstock. It’s a massive operation that involves high-tech farming, sustainability, trade, marketing, and accounting.”
The day featured demonstrations, from jockeys mentoring students on race-riding simulators to farriers and master tradespeople bringing hands-on skills into focus, while the Coolmore staff across all departments were available to discuss the broad range of roles that drive the global business.
“We had simulators there where people were being taught by jockeys. Gurteen College brought a simulator of a ewe to lamb, and we also had a tractor simulator.”
Students interacting with equine surgery stand at the Coolmore Careers Fair./ Coolmore
James emphasises the scope of career development. “A lot of the young students feel like they’ve got to go to Dublin or London for high-flying jobs. And in rural Ireland, within one operation and franchise, there are opportunities to travel between Australia, America, and Ireland.
“We have the hospitality sector now with Cashel Palace, and with our two restaurants, there is massive diversification there.
“The reality is that we’re trying to bridge the gap between education and employment. I think in our industry, sometimes it isn’t accessible,” he says.
Students also had the chance to meet representatives from third-level and further education institutions – including University of Limerick, Kildalton Agricultural College, Gurteen College, CAFRE in Enniskillen, and Tipperary Education Training Board.
On the day, these stands offered guidance to those considering future studies in related fields and were available to answer questions that students had on education pathways or career opportunities.
“It’s not just about working with some of the most valuable and exciting bloodstock on the planet; it’s about the future of our rural communities,” says Billy Walsh, principal of Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School who was in attendence of the day.
“It can be a real ‘lightbulb’ moment for students when they realise, they don’t have to move to Dublin or London to have a high-flying career in marketing, accounting, or science.
“There are opportunities on our doorstep that can help sustain our local schools, communities, businesses and sporting organisations.
“Today’s career fair helps inform the next generation of these opportunities”.
James Mockridge, farm manager at Coolmore./ Coolmore
As AI continues to reshape traditional career pathways, agriculture and related courses offer students a resilient alternative where hands-on knowledge, environmental stewardship and innovation remain essential despite rapid technological disruption.
Looking forward, James Mockridge says they see opportunities to open the careers fair up to schools outside of Tipperary and further stretch the reach in terms of highlighting the employment pathways and opportunities within Coolmore and beyond.
See coolmore.ie
The Coolmore group is a large employer in the Tipperary region with over 1,300 people employed directly across its operations. While the prime business is the bloodstock industry, the group also employs people in a multitude of areas.
These jobs range from the well-known Ballydoyle racing stables and farming enterprise to hospitality at the Cashel Palace Hotel.
While the group are looking for the next generation of horsemen and women who are the ‘lifeblood’ of their farms, they are also seeking agricultural scientists, tradespeople, accountants and tech specialists.
To encourage young people to seek out the different employment opportunities in rural Ireland and within their own enterprises, the group hosted their second Coolmore careers fair in Fethard Town Park on Thursday 23 April.
Over 900 students from 15 post-primary schools across Tipperary attended an immersive day which showcased the wide-ranging career options in farming, bloodstock, and tourism.
“We’re trying to give students exposure to the global business of Coolmore,” says James Mockridge, farm manager at Coolmore. “We’re pulling back the curtain to show the Coolmore franchise is more than just elite bloodstock. It’s a massive operation that involves high-tech farming, sustainability, trade, marketing, and accounting.”
The day featured demonstrations, from jockeys mentoring students on race-riding simulators to farriers and master tradespeople bringing hands-on skills into focus, while the Coolmore staff across all departments were available to discuss the broad range of roles that drive the global business.
“We had simulators there where people were being taught by jockeys. Gurteen College brought a simulator of a ewe to lamb, and we also had a tractor simulator.”
Students interacting with equine surgery stand at the Coolmore Careers Fair./ Coolmore
James emphasises the scope of career development. “A lot of the young students feel like they’ve got to go to Dublin or London for high-flying jobs. And in rural Ireland, within one operation and franchise, there are opportunities to travel between Australia, America, and Ireland.
“We have the hospitality sector now with Cashel Palace, and with our two restaurants, there is massive diversification there.
“The reality is that we’re trying to bridge the gap between education and employment. I think in our industry, sometimes it isn’t accessible,” he says.
Students also had the chance to meet representatives from third-level and further education institutions – including University of Limerick, Kildalton Agricultural College, Gurteen College, CAFRE in Enniskillen, and Tipperary Education Training Board.
On the day, these stands offered guidance to those considering future studies in related fields and were available to answer questions that students had on education pathways or career opportunities.
“It’s not just about working with some of the most valuable and exciting bloodstock on the planet; it’s about the future of our rural communities,” says Billy Walsh, principal of Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School who was in attendence of the day.
“It can be a real ‘lightbulb’ moment for students when they realise, they don’t have to move to Dublin or London to have a high-flying career in marketing, accounting, or science.
“There are opportunities on our doorstep that can help sustain our local schools, communities, businesses and sporting organisations.
“Today’s career fair helps inform the next generation of these opportunities”.
James Mockridge, farm manager at Coolmore./ Coolmore
As AI continues to reshape traditional career pathways, agriculture and related courses offer students a resilient alternative where hands-on knowledge, environmental stewardship and innovation remain essential despite rapid technological disruption.
Looking forward, James Mockridge says they see opportunities to open the careers fair up to schools outside of Tipperary and further stretch the reach in terms of highlighting the employment pathways and opportunities within Coolmore and beyond.
See coolmore.ie
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