Over the last few months, I found the time to organize photographs taken during my travels in Ireland with my donkey, Missie, back in 1979. Some of these images hold a unique quality of drawing me back to the exact moment when I clicked my old Nikon. One such picture is of Michael Long, a noted horseman, who came to our rescue on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry.
It was Saturday, Midsummer’s Eve, and the charming seaside town of Dingle was bustling with merriment. I had given Missie a well-deserved day off and eagerly joined the festivities. My first stop was Dick Mack’s Pub, where its patrons congratulated me on Missie’s ascent over Conor Pass the day before—a grueling, five-mile, seven-hour climb over the spine of the Slieve Mish Range.
However, some wizened men were quick to warn me that another hazard lay ahead on the scenic Slea Head Drive—the Devil’s Elbow--a rushing stream of water that crosses the road at a tight bend. Foolishly, I paid little heed to their sage advice. After all, my donkey had just conquered a spiraling mountain track, so how threatening could a trickling stream be? During the day’s revels, I had met Michael “Mikey” Long, an engaging horseman from nearby Ventry.
He was eager to lay eyes on my celebrated Jenny, so we walked the short distance to where I had corralled my highway queen. There, Michael gave her a nine-point inspection and found her in topping health. Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with every.
