WE have spent most of our working life running a small family supermarket in Killeshandra, a small border town in west Cavan.
Running a retail business has had more than its share of challenges throughout the years as we have battled with the larger multiples, the German discounters, the cross-border trade, decline in the population in rural Ireland, and indeed the credit crunch of 2008, though thankfully we continue to overcome all this.
The family business left no room for any other outside interests or hobbies, at least not for Mary and myself, as keeping the business afloat and banks happy was in itself a full-time job for both of us.
At this time, while working with us in the family shop, our late son Colm was gaining experience and knowledge in building up his stock of ponies.
Growing up in Aughnasheelin, Colm played GAA and we reckon he inherited a love of horses from his grandfather, Eddie Dolan.
Ballinamore, where we’re both from, has its annual agricultural show in August and we would have brought our children each summer.
What started out as a hobby for Colm soon became a passion and love for the Connemara pony breed. At the same time he developed strong friendships amongst his fellow breeders and exhibitors. Although they were all rivals in the show ring, it was a totally different story outside the ring with strong, binding friendships built up.
Paul and Mary Costello at Clifden Show. \ Susan Finnerty
Seriosuly ill
In 2016, Colm became very seriously ill just after a holiday to New York to visit his aunt Caroline and her family there. If there was a silver lining since, it is recognising what a fantastic community spirit there still is, both in our home area and within the showing world too.
We were overwhelmed by the support and well wishes that not only Colm received but us, his family, too. During a fundraising event for Colm held in early 2017, Connemara pony breeders from every corner of Ireland came together to give their support by offering stallion nominations, making donations and turning up for this fundraising night in the Commercial Hotel. It again made us realise how many good people are out there.
Unfortunately, in July 2018, after nearly 700 days in St Vincent’s Hospital, where he received exceptional care from the staff, Colm passed away from his illness. Yet again his fellow Connemara Pony Breeder Society (CPBS) friends showed their respect at the time of the funeral and have been there for us as a family to this day.
You’ll often hear that it’s impossible to name everyone when thanking people for their support or mention all the little and not-so-little things family, neighbours and friends did.
All we can say is that we will always appreciate the kindnesses shown to us by you.
In Colm’s honour
In late 2018, the Roundstone Show committee contacted us to say they would like to run a class in honour of Colm at their next show and we donated the Colm Costello Perpetual Cup for this class. So in July this year, Mary and myself, Liam and Emma, [Colm’s brother and sister] travelled to Connemara for the weekend.
As a family, we were very proud to present this cup to the first winner at Roundstone and even more overwhelmed to learn that the complete show was dedicated to Colm’s memory. This was very fitting as this show was one of his favourites and had been very successful for him in past years.
By coincidence, the winner that day was a dun colt [Gerry Martyn’s Killea Legend] as Colm’s favourite pony was another dun Connemara; Killaneen Boy, known to all of us as ‘George’.
Red rosette
There was great excitement when George was approved as a Class 1 stallion in 2015 and again when a photo of him and Colm appeared in the Irish Farmers Journal. It was taken at Mohill Show that summer and you can see the pair of them stepping out and the pride in Colm’s face over that red rosette. There were not many ‘Journals’ left in the shop that week!
Killaneen Boy is now owned by Lucinda Kelly, who keeps us up to date with his progress. It was a bittersweet day when George won at Dublin Horse Show two years ago, the same time as we were in St Vincent’s just down the road, but Colm would have been so proud of that win. We will keep both the Killaneen prefix and bloodline going in his memory.
We’ve joined the CPBS and attended shows and I suppose you could say we’ve caught the showing bug. Clifden was another of Colm’s favourite shows so we went west again in August to visit and meet his friends who we are now proud to call our friends.
Although we are latecomers to the pony breeding and showing worlds, and no doubt have had an unusual path to it, we look forward to every show day and sale with the same enthusiasm that we once saw in our late beloved son a few years back.
Now we know how a hobby can turn into a passion and someone you strike up a conversation with at the ringside can become a good friend.
Paul Costello was in conversation with Susan Finnerty.
WE have spent most of our working life running a small family supermarket in Killeshandra, a small border town in west Cavan.
Running a retail business has had more than its share of challenges throughout the years as we have battled with the larger multiples, the German discounters, the cross-border trade, decline in the population in rural Ireland, and indeed the credit crunch of 2008, though thankfully we continue to overcome all this.
The family business left no room for any other outside interests or hobbies, at least not for Mary and myself, as keeping the business afloat and banks happy was in itself a full-time job for both of us.
At this time, while working with us in the family shop, our late son Colm was gaining experience and knowledge in building up his stock of ponies.
Growing up in Aughnasheelin, Colm played GAA and we reckon he inherited a love of horses from his grandfather, Eddie Dolan.
Ballinamore, where we’re both from, has its annual agricultural show in August and we would have brought our children each summer.
What started out as a hobby for Colm soon became a passion and love for the Connemara pony breed. At the same time he developed strong friendships amongst his fellow breeders and exhibitors. Although they were all rivals in the show ring, it was a totally different story outside the ring with strong, binding friendships built up.
Paul and Mary Costello at Clifden Show. \ Susan Finnerty
Seriosuly ill
In 2016, Colm became very seriously ill just after a holiday to New York to visit his aunt Caroline and her family there. If there was a silver lining since, it is recognising what a fantastic community spirit there still is, both in our home area and within the showing world too.
We were overwhelmed by the support and well wishes that not only Colm received but us, his family, too. During a fundraising event for Colm held in early 2017, Connemara pony breeders from every corner of Ireland came together to give their support by offering stallion nominations, making donations and turning up for this fundraising night in the Commercial Hotel. It again made us realise how many good people are out there.
Unfortunately, in July 2018, after nearly 700 days in St Vincent’s Hospital, where he received exceptional care from the staff, Colm passed away from his illness. Yet again his fellow Connemara Pony Breeder Society (CPBS) friends showed their respect at the time of the funeral and have been there for us as a family to this day.
You’ll often hear that it’s impossible to name everyone when thanking people for their support or mention all the little and not-so-little things family, neighbours and friends did.
All we can say is that we will always appreciate the kindnesses shown to us by you.
In Colm’s honour
In late 2018, the Roundstone Show committee contacted us to say they would like to run a class in honour of Colm at their next show and we donated the Colm Costello Perpetual Cup for this class. So in July this year, Mary and myself, Liam and Emma, [Colm’s brother and sister] travelled to Connemara for the weekend.
As a family, we were very proud to present this cup to the first winner at Roundstone and even more overwhelmed to learn that the complete show was dedicated to Colm’s memory. This was very fitting as this show was one of his favourites and had been very successful for him in past years.
By coincidence, the winner that day was a dun colt [Gerry Martyn’s Killea Legend] as Colm’s favourite pony was another dun Connemara; Killaneen Boy, known to all of us as ‘George’.
Red rosette
There was great excitement when George was approved as a Class 1 stallion in 2015 and again when a photo of him and Colm appeared in the Irish Farmers Journal. It was taken at Mohill Show that summer and you can see the pair of them stepping out and the pride in Colm’s face over that red rosette. There were not many ‘Journals’ left in the shop that week!
Killaneen Boy is now owned by Lucinda Kelly, who keeps us up to date with his progress. It was a bittersweet day when George won at Dublin Horse Show two years ago, the same time as we were in St Vincent’s just down the road, but Colm would have been so proud of that win. We will keep both the Killaneen prefix and bloodline going in his memory.
We’ve joined the CPBS and attended shows and I suppose you could say we’ve caught the showing bug. Clifden was another of Colm’s favourite shows so we went west again in August to visit and meet his friends who we are now proud to call our friends.
Although we are latecomers to the pony breeding and showing worlds, and no doubt have had an unusual path to it, we look forward to every show day and sale with the same enthusiasm that we once saw in our late beloved son a few years back.
Now we know how a hobby can turn into a passion and someone you strike up a conversation with at the ringside can become a good friend.
Paul Costello was in conversation with Susan Finnerty.
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