An Irish town called Horseleap
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381745)
Rockingham, Australia
March 13, 2017 8:14pm CST
Following on from my posts about 'giant' icons in towns, there is a rearing horse in Ireland. When we visited there some years ago we travelled from Dublin to Galway several times. Each time we passed through Horseleap, a town situated on the Offaly/Westmeath border. At the time it was on the main road between the two cities. The village dates back to the 12th century.
There is a statue of a rearing horse in the town and the legend is that the English name came about when a member of the De Lacy family, fleeing from the Mac Geoghegans was forced to jump his horse over the moat to his castle as the drawbridge was raised.
So we've had a horse, a ram, a galah and a chook so far. Watch this space!
Wagin, Western Australia, is another Australian country town that has a 'giant' as a tourist attraction. Recently I wrote about the giant galah that stands in...
17 people like this
15 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Mar 17
Cowboy movie star Roy Rogers had a museum and in front was a giant statue of his horse Trigger.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (381745)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Mar 17
@JohnRoberts Nothing lasts, does it? People forget or get old and move on.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Mar 17
@JudyEv The museum is long closed and torn down. Trigger's statue is inexplicably tucked away in a corner of the cemetery where Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are buried.
1 person likes this
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
14 Mar 17
Very cool and interesting. We just never know from one discussion to the next what animal will appear. 
3 people like this
@suziecat7 (3349)
• Asheville, North Carolina
14 Mar 17
I also think it's very cool. Off to check out the ram.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381745)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Mar 17
I'm glad you enjoyed reading about Horseleap. They had a steam engine in the main street with the owner drove to the pub once a month just to keep it ticking over.
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Mar 17
Exciting, dangerous story of the town name. James Bond stuff, 12th century style!
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Mar 17
@JudyEv - Probably, but a really cool myth.
1 person likes this
@amandajay (23262)
• New Zealand
14 Mar 17
Looks interesting and glad to know about these things. Thanks for sharing
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
16 Mar 17
I kind of think I would have remembered it if we did.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
16 Mar 17
I was in Ireland one time. I don't know whether we went past Horseleap or not. I don't recall it if we did. Interesting statue for sure.
@allknowing (153544)
• India
14 Mar 17
@JudyEv Did you forget to feed him in the midst of that concern planning? Poor Herc. A hug is on its way.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381745)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Mar 17
@allknowing He found it in the bin. :)
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
15 Mar 17
I am really enjoying these giant animals
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381745)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 17
I'm pleased. Some from now on won't be animals. Some of the towns have chosen other icons. I like the animal ones.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
16 Mar 17
bad placement of the support for the statue, hahahaha
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
18 Mar 17
@JudyEv that is....terrifying, bwahahahah
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
14 Mar 17
I love taking photos of stuff like this. Love this photo.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (59648)
• Philippines
14 Mar 17
That is an impressive horse statue!
I wouldn't mind having something like this at home.
