The earliest evidence of horses in Ireland comes from bones found in Newgrange, County Meath, dating from about 2000 B.C. Horse ownership was a major status symbol to the Celts. Horses were frequently described in Irish legends as the companion of warriors. For several centuries, the Irish system of evaluating good traits in a horse suggested the perfect horse should have ‘three traits of a bull — a bold walk, a strong neck and a hard forehead; three traits of a hare — bright eyes, lively ears and swift run; three traits of a woman — broad breast, slender waist and short back’.

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The swiftness of horses is another feature to appear regularly in mythology. According to the ‘Book of Invasions’, the three horses of the Tuatha Dé Danann were called ‘Attach’ (blast), ‘Gaoth’ (wind) and ‘Sidhe’ (whirlwind). The Celts had unrivalled skill in the use of the chariot. They were leaders in developing horse-related technology, making chariots that were particularly light and agile. They were also the first to develop the horseshoe, which was later borrowed from them by the Romans.

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Today Ireland is recognised as one of the leading thoroughbred racing and breeding producers in the equestrian world. Coolmore Stud in Fethard is the headquarters of the world's largest breeding operation of thoroughbred horses. Through its racing arm, Ballydoyle, Coolmore has raced many classic winners and champions. The operation is currently owned and run by the Magnier family, which has been associated with a long line of top-class stallions since the 1850s.