Minute's silence for Limerick vet at Cappamore Show

IT WAS a day of mixed emotions for many at the Cappamore Show as the absence of a number of people was keenly felt.

Two in particular taken too soon were the vet for the show Brian Ryan, of Mulcair Vets, and Jackie Walsh, of the horse committee. 

Brian Ryan passed away suddenly in Paris during the Rugby World Cup while Jackie went to his God in July.

Brian’s wife Anna Nolan presented the Brian Ryan Perpetual Cup to Ailis Holohan, Kilkenny (pictured above) for the overall champion young horse of the show. Brian’s daughter Aoife and brother Michael also attended the trophy presentation. 

PJ Ryan, secretary of the horse section, said it was a day of many mixed emotions as Brian and Jackie were in their thoughts. 

“Brian was with us here every year - he was the vet for the show. Even though he was a vet for all animals, horses, seemingly, were at the top of his list. He had a special interest and liking for horses. He was a great supporter of the show and is very sadly missed by everyone,” said PJ.

PJ said Brian was unbelievably talented as a vet. 

“He was a conscientious, cool, quiet man - you couldn't say enough about him. We're missing him today. Mulcair Vets decided during the year to put up this cup in memory of Brian and because horses had a special place in his heart it was allocated to the horse section,” said PJ.

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Coincidentally, Jackie was a client of Brian’s and they were great friends.

Jackie's important role each year was to set out the horse and pony showing rings on the field.

“He knew every square metre and every square inch in his memory. It's a tough old day in many ways but the show's gone off well. I think they both would be happy with the way things have turned out. Two great people gone,” said PJ.

A minute’s silence was impeccably obeyed.

Brian was also fondly remembered in the cattle section. He always presented the trophy in the local class for children from the parish. It was won for the third year-in-a-row by Conor Ryan, showing Commercial calf on behalf of pedigree breeder Eamon O’Donovan, of Dromalty, Cappamore (pictured below).

“We were actually only looking at a picture of the first time Conor won it with Brian presenting the cup. He’d have delivered some of the calves here today but unfortunately he's no longer with us. 

“He was one of a kind as a vet. You'd nearly consider him a friend when he came to the yard. I'm sure a lot of people are thinking about him today,” said Eamon.