Last weekend I travelled to Cambridge to present a paper at the Horse & the Country House conference, organised by the Attingham Trust. My paper focused on The Racehorses, Gambling and Equestrian Buildings of Sir Edward O’Brien, 2nd Baronet Dromoland (1705-65)’.

Given the focus of my paper, it was necessary to travel to Dromoland to view the equestrian buildings in person. I enjoyed a lovely day at Dromoland, and had a lovely tour of the castle and the gardens, making much use of my camera. The pictures featured prominently in my presentation, and I received great feedback on my paper from those in attendance at Madingley Hall.

The Temple of Mercury, built by Sir Edward O’Brien, 2nd Bart. Dromoland, in memory of one of his racehorses, Seán Buí, a horse on which he reportedly gambled the Dromoland estate.