New!! Horse Sculpture 'Percy'
Percy
This piece of artwork was commissioned by Glaslough Tidy Towns in January 2019. Completed in July 2019 this project has become a photo stop opportunity for many visitors to the village. It reflects the long and historic connections between the horse and Glaslough. The horse has played an integral part in the history and development of Glaslough Village dating back more than 350 years when the Leslies family settled in Glaslough. The concept of creating this artwork was one that the local committee had been considering for a number of years. The horse was painstakingly made by local craftsman Alan Gormley who spend many hours and days welding and crafting the horse. The sculpture is modelled on Percy, a firm favourite amongst both staff and guests at the Castle Leslie Equestrian Centre. Percy was also a gift to Castle Leslie from Lady Jane Alexander of the neighboring Caledon estate in County Tyrone. A local farrier named Breen Concannon donated almost all the recycled horseshoes along with other locals which were used for the project., Reusing and recycling of materials is an important consideration for Glaslough Tidy Towns and was very much in keeping with the committee’s aims and objectives.
The design of the plantation surrounding the sculpture was carried out by skilled workers of Donagh Community Employment Scheme. Glaslough Tidy Towns volunteers carried out all the planting and continue to manage this area throughout the year. Heritage plants were planted in keeping with the village natural landscape and heritage plan.
Castle Leslie – The Horse
The horse has played an integral part in the history and development of the village of Glaslough. When the Leslie family settled here, more than 350 years ago, they brought with them a longstanding passion for horses. The Leslie family motto ‘Grip Fast’ was bestowed on the family as a result of equine heroics. The story goes that a young Hungarian Bartholomew Leslie rescued Queen Margaret of Scotland from a river by asking her to ‘grip fast the buckle’ of his belt. This maxim has endured ever since, and today the strong connection between the estate, village and horses remains strong.
The establishment of the Leslie’s at Glaslough was facilitated by further bravery and horsemanship. The estate was purchased in 1665 by John Leslie the Bishop of Clogher. Bishop John was better known as the ‘Fighting Bishop’, a nickname he earned as result of his bravery in defeating Cromwell’s forces at the Battle of Raphoe. On the Restoration of Charles II, the Bishop, then aged 90, rode from Chester to London in twenty-four hours. As a reward for his loyalty, the King granted him £2,000 which he used to acquire the Glaslough Castle and Demesne.
Glaslough Village was laid out by the Fighting Bishop’s great-great- grandson, Charles Powell Leslie III and completed by his brother John, later Sir John Leslie, 1st Baronet of Glaslough. The Village was designed to accommodate horses, carts and carriages. Although somewhat altered, the historic thoroughfares are still clearly visible. Horses allowed the village of Glaslough to develop. Before the establishment of the Railway at Glaslough and for many years after, horses facilitated the transport of goods to and from this rural area. A regular fair was held in Glaslough which attracted crowds from near and far.
This piece of artwork was commissioned by Glaslough Tidy Towns in January 2019. Completed in July 2019 this project has become a photo stop opportunity for many visitors to the village. It reflects the long and historic connections between the horse and Glaslough. The horse has played an integral part in the history and development of Glaslough Village dating back more than 350 years when the Leslies family settled in Glaslough. The concept of creating this artwork was one that the local committee had been considering for a number of years. The horse was painstakingly made by local craftsman Alan Gormley who spend many hours and days welding and crafting the horse. The sculpture is modelled on Percy, a firm favourite amongst both staff and guests at the Castle Leslie Equestrian Centre. Percy was also a gift to Castle Leslie from Lady Jane Alexander of the neighboring Caledon estate in County Tyrone. A local farrier named Breen Concannon donated almost all the recycled horseshoes along with other locals which were used for the project., Reusing and recycling of materials is an important consideration for Glaslough Tidy Towns and was very much in keeping with the committee’s aims and objectives.
The design of the plantation surrounding the sculpture was carried out by skilled workers of Donagh Community Employment Scheme. Glaslough Tidy Towns volunteers carried out all the planting and continue to manage this area throughout the year. Heritage plants were planted in keeping with the village natural landscape and heritage plan.
Castle Leslie – The Horse
The horse has played an integral part in the history and development of the village of Glaslough. When the Leslie family settled here, more than 350 years ago, they brought with them a longstanding passion for horses. The Leslie family motto ‘Grip Fast’ was bestowed on the family as a result of equine heroics. The story goes that a young Hungarian Bartholomew Leslie rescued Queen Margaret of Scotland from a river by asking her to ‘grip fast the buckle’ of his belt. This maxim has endured ever since, and today the strong connection between the estate, village and horses remains strong.
The establishment of the Leslie’s at Glaslough was facilitated by further bravery and horsemanship. The estate was purchased in 1665 by John Leslie the Bishop of Clogher. Bishop John was better known as the ‘Fighting Bishop’, a nickname he earned as result of his bravery in defeating Cromwell’s forces at the Battle of Raphoe. On the Restoration of Charles II, the Bishop, then aged 90, rode from Chester to London in twenty-four hours. As a reward for his loyalty, the King granted him £2,000 which he used to acquire the Glaslough Castle and Demesne.
Glaslough Village was laid out by the Fighting Bishop’s great-great- grandson, Charles Powell Leslie III and completed by his brother John, later Sir John Leslie, 1st Baronet of Glaslough. The Village was designed to accommodate horses, carts and carriages. Although somewhat altered, the historic thoroughfares are still clearly visible. Horses allowed the village of Glaslough to develop. Before the establishment of the Railway at Glaslough and for many years after, horses facilitated the transport of goods to and from this rural area. A regular fair was held in Glaslough which attracted crowds from near and far.