In mid-June, two of Kylemore Abbey’s Connemara ponies traveled to County Kildare, Irish National Stud for the summer.
Mother Karol O’Connell, abbess, saw off Park Ruby and her filly foal, Peaceful Maisie, with treats and gentle strokes before their departure via one of Kylemore’s HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) vehicles.
The significance of the selection of the two ponies runs deep for the Benedictine nuns. Park Ruby was a gift to Kylemore Abbey from Terranova National Park in Canada, and gave birth to her first filly foal this year. The filly was named “Maisie” to honor Sister Máire Hickey, the community’s former abbess, who passed to her eternal reward in February 2025.
Kylemore’s partnership with the Irish National Stud highlights the sustainable efforts of both organizations, and allows approximately 100,000 equine enthusiasts who visit the Irish National Stud each summer to see and learn about the Connemara ponies, known for their docile nature. Ruby and Maisie will not only enjoy the lush grass of County Kildare, but also mingle with Irish racing legends and their offspring.
