Saunder’s News- Letter 23 October 1818
Bonmahon Races
On Wednesday last, the second annual meeting of these
races commenced, and, on that day, and the following there was excellent
running; although the weather was very unfavourable it did not present the
occurrence of a very numerous meeting. Friday morning was peculiarly favourable
for the most interesting steeplechase that ever took place in this county.
Fifteen of the most celebrated hunters from different
counties met, and were entered to contest the prize, which was about 100, and
twelve of the best appeared on the ground about two o’clock, mounted by
gentlemen selected for superior horsemanship. They started near Newtown, and
ended in Bonmahon, and the ground for four miles was so judiciously marked out,
that the spectators could witness the entire of this admirable chase. For the
first 3 miles it was difficult to discover which horse had the advantage, but
on ascending the hill commencing, the fourth mile, after a desperate struggle,
Mr Ronayne’s famous horse, rode by Mr Carew, and Mr M Power’s horse rode by Mr
Briscoe, took the lead, followed closely by the rest. Mr Ronayne’s horse was
the victor, and never was there witnessed so severe and well contested a chase,
or so numerous and respectable an assemblage. They ran the four miles, carrying
12 stone, through a very enclose country, in 14 minutes. The joyous scene
closed without any accident, and at the hospitable mansion of Gardenmorris
[owned by the Power O’Shee family], where festive board invited the passing
stranger, bumbers [glasses] were filled by the generous host and amiable
hostess, who have spared neither expense nor trouble to make the beautiful
village of Bonmahon one of the most eligible bathing-places near our city [Waterford].
Engraving of Bunmahon Village, Circa 1849