Did you know... 11 Facts about the Dublin Horse Show!

Since it was first held in 1864 the Horse Show has become a Dublin institution. A celebration of Ireland's affinity with the horse, from the best show horses to the best international show jumpers. It is one of Ireland's largest events, a highlight of the summer, each year welcoming tens of thousands of people from Ireland and all over the world.

11 Facts about the Dublin Horse Show:
1. The first show was held in 1864 under the auspices of the Society, but organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland. There were 366 entries in the first show with a total prize fund of £520.

2. On the 28, 29 and 30 July 1868 the first show was held and organised by the Royal Dublin Society on the lawns of Leinster House. The Council granted £100 out of the Society's funds to be awarded in prizes. It started as a show of led-horses and featured ‘leaping' demonstrations.

3. Ass and mule classes were listed at the first show!

4. In 1869 the first Challenge Cup was presented for the best exhibit in the classes for hunters and young horses likely to make hunters.

5. With over 800 entries in the Show in 1895, it was necessary to run the jumping competitors off in pairs - causing difficulties for the judges at the time!

6. No lady was allowed to ride in any jumping competition until 1919.

7. A novelty class for women was introduced in 1919. In 1920 women were able to compete freely. Women were permitted to compete in the international competitions from 1954 (an international rule).

8. In times past the Ladies Hunter Classes for ladies riding side-saddle in traditional costume (veil and habit) were judged on the Thursday of the Show. As a result Thursday became Ladies' Day, the longest

9. Six countries competed in the first international teams competition for the Aga Khan Challenge trophy - Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Ireland. The Swiss team won the title on Irish bred horses.

10. The Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show is Ireland's largest equestrian event, and one of the largest events held on the island.

11. The show has the third largest annual prize pool for International Show Jumping in the world.

Attending the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show this year? Check out our accommodation packages by clicking here!

Celebrate 4th July

What way to celebrate America's Independence Day than to cook a nice traditional American dish.

Pulled Pork

with Mint Julep Barbecue Sauce

Makes 12 sandwiches

Ingredients
1 bone-in pork shoulder, 5 lb. (2.5 kg)
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds
1 cup (8 fl oz/250 ml) apple cider
1 cup (8 fl oz/250 ml) cider vinegar
4 yellow onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 green bell pepper seeded and finely chopped
12 sesame seed-topped sandwich buns, split and warmed
12 dill pickle spears

Sauce
2 oz/60 g unsalted butter
3 yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons peeled and chopped fresh ginger
16 fl oz/500 ml tomato purée
9 oz/280 g dark molasses
3 oz/90 g coarse-grain Dijon mustard
4 fl oz/125 ml bourbon
4 fl oz/125 ml cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 lemon, sliced
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 oz/15 g chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon Tabasco or other hot-pepper sauce

1. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees C. Lightly coat a large baking pan with vegetable oil. Rub the pork shoulder with the pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and mustard seeds and place in the baking pan. Pour the cider and vinegar over and around the pork. Scatter the onions, garlic, and bell pepper over and around the pork. Cover with aluminum foil.

2. Roast for 3 hours. Uncover and continue to roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork registers 82 degrees C, about 1 hour.

3. While the pork is roasting, make the sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and ginger and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato purée, molasses, mustard, bourbon, vinegar, Worcestershire, lemon, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to very low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until very thick, about 2 hours. Discard the lemon slices. Stir in the mint and Tabasco.

4. Remove the pork from the oven and transfer to a plate. Let stand for 1 hour. Reserve the roasted vegetables. Using 2 forks, shred the pork by steadying the meat with 1 fork and pulling it away with the other, discarding any fat. Place the shredded pork in a bowl. With a slotted spoon, transfer the roasted vegetables to the bowl with the pork.

5. Mix the sauce with the shredded pork. Stuff each bun with some of the pork and serve immediately with the pickle spears on the side.

Enjoy!

Don't Forget Fathers Day

Story of Father's Day

 Father's Day is about acknowledging and appreciating the important role played by a father in raising their child. The tradition to celebrate Father's Day was recognised thousands of years ago where studies have claimed that over 4,000 years ago in Babylon a son called Elmesu carved a father's day message on a clay card. In his message Elmesu wished his father a long and healthy life.

The tradition of celebrating Father's Day as seen today originated in the last century. Though there are several people who are credited for furthering the cause of Father's Day, there is far greater acceptance for Ms Sonora Louise Smart Dodd's contribution. A doting daughter from Spokane, Washington, Ms Dodd is recognized as the Founder or Mother of the Father's Day Festival.

Sonora recognized the hardships her father must have gone through while bringing up his six children alone. When Sonora was 16, her mother had died during childbirth. Sonora's father a Civil War veteran by the name of William Jackson Smart raised six children including the newborn on his own. Sonora questioned that if there is a day to recognize mothers then why is not there a day to honour fathers?
She began a sincere campaign lobbying for the cause of Father's Day. Her hard work began to show signs of success when Spokane celebrated its first Father's Day on June 19, 1910 with the support of Spokane Ministerial Association and the local Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). To pay tribute to her affectionate father, Sonora wished that Father's Day be celebrated on her father's birthday on June 5, but it so happened that there was not enough time for preparation and the day came to be celebrated on third Sunday in the month of June.

Father's Day has now become a hugely popular festival. World over people thank their father and pay tribute to them. Most commonly children gift Father's Day cards and flowers to their father. Neckties are a popular gift on the occasion of Father's Day. Due to the tradition of giving gifts, cards makers, florists and gift sellers campaign for Father's Day Festival in a big way and cash in on the sentiments of the people.

Ideal Gifts for your Father

• Weekend Golf Break at any Talbot Hotel

• Enjoy an evening meal for two in any of the Talbot Hotels Award Winning Restaurants

• Enjoy a spectacular show at Wexford Opera House along with accommodation and an evening meal at the Talbot Hotel

• Talbot Hotel Gift Card

• Bar Food Voucher