July 2004

Ard Cherrymount Stud Farm Ard Cherrymount is a family owned, leading sport horse stud, which was founded over 50 years ago. We built  our new house here in 2003 (starting in 2002) having bought this farm of land the previous year. Designed from the inside out, to facilitate all the different requirements due to our hectic life style. Two separate homes in one, mainly for us and the lower side for the grandparents. Our part of the house also has an A.I room, office and the ability to accommodate students. Our house has direct access into the stable yard for those cold wet days when you don't want to go outside.  Click this to follow the building from the beginning. The stud farm is situated within the original domain of Killua Castle. There are also the remains of eight  medieval stone age raths (or forts) on our stud farm, one is a particularly good  example. Through the centre of the stud farm runs a stone wall and man made tunnel which was originally used to direct the river to fill the castles artificial lake of its day. We have two acres of natural bog (pictured below), home to a wide and varied verity of wildlife, plants and insects, which we view from the front of our house. The stud farm has great views of Killua Castle too, which is presently in the process of restoration, reminding us of a time long ago. It is a magnificent castle situated in rolling Westmeath landscape, surrounded by specimen lime trees that are still standing on this stud farm to this day. Our stud farm comprises of 53 acres, just half a mile from the village of Clonmellon. Our postal address is Meath but the land is actually within the county of Westmeath. In its day, Killua Castle estate was originally the largest estate of County Westmeath with over 5,000 acres. This picture above shows the farm, taken close to the yard, with Killua Castle in the background. We have divided many of the fields with electric fencing using thick visible tape. The majority of the paddocks have access from runways leading directly from the yard making it easier to move mares and foals as well as changing the horses from one paddock to another. We use a rotational system throughout the farm, by grazing with the horses and following on with cattle afterwards. Ard Cherrymount Stud is about ten kilometers from the town of Kells. Situated in a beautiful part of the country just off the pale, near the towns of Athboy (5.5 miles) Delvin (3 miles),  not far from Trim and Mullingar. Dublin is not far either, with its airport as it is approximately 45 kilometers from where we live.   What is available; Accommodation. Indoor barn, Arena (above) and 50 acres of rolling countryside. View Horses and Ponies that are for sale. Visit local stud farms. Join in with the activities of the Stud Farm. Private riding lessons. Learn the basics of A.I. and collection. Breaking and training of young horses. Care of mares, foals, youngstock and Stallions. Stable management and Stud work. Stallion care A stable is often available for a student to bring their own horse too. Annual local shows; Mullingar Show Virginia Agricultural Show Baileborough Horse Show Oldcastle Agricultural Show Royal Meath Show, Trim Weekly showjumping shows; Kells Equestrian Center Broadmeadows Cavan International Kill Equestrian Hunting Hunting is available with access to four local hunts; Meath and Westmeath Foxhounds, Tara Harriers and the Ballymacads,   Cherrymount Winter 2007   History of the original Ard Cherrymount and the land.       Crusing colt foal The house was built in 1704 by the Chaloner family.  The interesting thing is that the house was built on to a tower that dated much further back, possibly to Norman times. The house is situated on a hill with a beautiful view over the countryside.   This mare pictured in front of Ard Cherrymount, is the dam of Abbervale Dream, ranked 44th with BCM , with her '99 colt foal by Cruising who is ranked 8th with BCM World Breeding Rankings.   On the stud farm there is an old shell house, a lime kiln, two medieval raths , rare grain storers and  island follies in The Glen. A copy of the Chaloner diaries of 1810 , when Rev John Chaloner's descendent 'Richard' lived on the estate is here to read, with many of the above places mentioned. Now Ard Cherrymount is a family owned, leading sport horse stud, which was founded over 40 years ago. Facilities There are over 30 loose boxes, a tack  The loose boxes in the front yard. room, wash room and A.I. room, all in the front yard. The back yard has a large hay barn with covering shed, horse walker and a 'four stable' isolation block. This is surrounded by old stone barns, which back onto what was once a walled orchard. To the side of the yards, beyond the old bell tower, is the large all-weather arena and parking area with access from  front and back avenues. Nearby, there is also the famous 'Moynalty Steam Thrashing Festival' held in the August and Annual Kells  Heritage Festival held during the first week of July. The A.I. lab off the front yard. The A.I room off the front yard with Conan on the phone 23/3/00   Ard Cherrymount Stud, Clonmellon, Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland. Telaphone+353-46-9433433