IRISH NATIONAL STUD
Colucht Groighe Naisiunta na hÉireann Teo
Tully, County Kildare

Horses have been bred and raced in Kildare since around 1300AD. It's likely that war horses were bred here for the Knights of Malta. And horse racing dates back to Celtic times.

The first record of a stud farm being set up in the region was in 1900, when lands were purchased from James Fay, a local farmer, by Colonel William Hall-Walker.

It was in his later life that William Walker turned his attentions to breeding racehorses. He sold foals based solely on their astrological charts and was known to put skylights in his stables to allow his horses to be "touched" by sunlight or moonbeams. He may have been branded as a crackpot by some, but in a ten year period, from 1904-1910, seven classic winners were bred here.

Walker received the title of Lord Wavertree in 1916 in reward for bequeathing the

stud farm and gardens to found a British National Stud. The National Stud continued to produce exceptional race horses under the guidance of its first director, Sir Henry Greer, producing the highest standard of bloodstock in the country. Such greats bred here include Big Game and Sun Chariot.

1943 saw the newly formed Irish Government overtake the land and buildings and by 1945, the Irish National Stud Company Ltd. was formed and took over the running of the stud in August 1946. Since that time, the stud has continued to expand and grow, and produce many of Ireland's top winners. As a result, the stud has gained international recognition and acclaim.

Visitors today can wander around the stud, visiting the original stud boxes with their skylights, Sun Chariot Yard, foaling boxes, pastures, etc.

Also, don't miss the horse museum. This is a state of the art exhibition dedicated to the Sport of Kings. The museum is housed in what was originally the home of the head groom that was later converted into stallion boxes, which houses such famous horses as Tulyar and Royal Charger. The exhibit includes some horse and racing artifacts found around the stud.

Also on this site includes —

Japanese Tea Gardens - traditionally designed gardens on a Japanese theme

~ Pay attraction
~ Parking available
~ Accessible in most instances

http://www.irish-national-stud.ie/stud