Photos

"The Beehive," a traditional Irish strucutre, on the grounds of the Irish National Stud. It was built for a celebration, but I'm not sure which one in particular. I think the camera focused on the trees rather than the dome-like building in the background, but it's still kind of a cool photo. I love the almost electric shades of green in the photo.

The farm was first purchased in 1900 from a local farmer by Colonel William Hall-Walker, a member of a wealthy Scottish brewery family. He intended to breed Thoroughbreds there, and in 1945 the Irish National Stud Co. Ltd. was formed and took over the running of the facility in 1946. It has continued to expand and develop over the years and is now a popular tourist destination. Its primary aim was to promote the Thoroughbred industry in Ireland by bringing in top stallions, which has largely succeeded. The complex includes around 950 acres and has 288 stalls for mares, foals and stallions. The stallion paddocks run the length of the Oak Walk. The grounds are amazing! In addition to beautiful, lush landscape the complex houses formal gardens, including the Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra's Gardens. The Irish Horse museum is housed in a converted barn and highlights Ireland's horse racing history. The ruins of the Black Abbey are also on the grounds of the Tully farm.