About the Owner

Brendan is a founding member and affiliated member of the Irish Miniature Horse and Pony Society (IMHPS) in Ireland. He is viewed as an expert handler and breeder in this specialised field.

Brendan concentrated his efforts on miniature ponies in the Millenium year and started to export Shetland ponies from the Shetland Islands in Scotland. The farmland in Leitrim is suitable for Shetlands and the windy, wet winter weather helps climatise and put the ponies at ease with their new home in Tonnagh. Brendan has established a good temprament and breeding in his ponies.

Pictured left, Brendan at the launch of Irish Miniature Horse and Pony Society


The Flynn family of Tonnagh, Carrick on Shannon have bred horses of all kinds since 1890. Brendan Flynn has helped carry on this great horse tradition into the 21st century. His love of the pony and horse has helped keep this beautiful interest alive and well in Leitrim. Brendan's father Jim was a well renowned breeder and horse trainer in the area and he was often called upon to tame many a wild horse. Jim's knowledge and horse handling ability were transferrd onto his youngest son Brendan.

Pictured Joe Flynn, Jim Flynn and Brendan Flynn centre

Brendan has bred ponies and horses and had a particular interest in driving ponies in the 1970's, 80's and 90's. Brendan bought his first miniature pony in the 1960's at the young age of twelve. He paid £26.00 for a beautiful shetland pony and he has developed a close bond for these breed of ponies ever since. Brendan also had a keen interest in Hackney driving ponies and competed in many driving events around the country. He recently has concentrated his efforts on importing Shetland ponies from Scotland and the Shetland Islands. Brendan has a love for the miniature pony and he breeds, trains and nurtures the ponies on his farmland in Co. Leitrim.

Pictured right Brendan Flynn


As mentioned earlier Brendan's first experience with horses were the driving pony and horse. The purpose of the horse back in the 1960's was to help with daily manual chores on the farmland in Tonnagh. The horses helped mow the meadows, draw in the reaks of hay, draw home the annual supply of turf and draw milkcans to the local Kiltoghert Creamery. The horse was like the modern four wheel drive agricultural tractor. Brendan experienced first hand how to handle and care for the hard-working horse that provided so much assistance to the family farm. He had to learn quickly how to drive the mowing machine and tackle up the horse for all the daily driving and work that had to be done. Indeed the family pony and trap were used to bring the family to Sunday mass and local community occasions. Legend has it that Brendan's brother Michael the oldest once rode the family horse bareback up to the Mohill Horse Show, a show that Michael and Brendan attend religiously to this day.
Pictured Brendans brother, Michael Flynn

Brendan is also an enthusiast on pony driving and began competing in Style and Appearance in the local horse shows in the 1980's, competing at the Jamestown, Ballinamore, Strokestown and Mohill shows with a lot of success. He continued to breed and train driving ponies for competitions during the 1990s. He also took a keen interest in Sunday Pony drives travelling to Sligo, Mayo, Cavan, Donegal, Galway and all over Leitrim to take part. He drove the ponies with a beautiful and unique side car.

Brendan pictured competing in Style and Appearance at Mohill Show

 

Brendan Flynn
Tonnagh, Carrick On Shannon, Co. Leitrim, Ireland
Phone: +353 719620943 | Mobile: +353 877702112
E-mail: brendan@miniatureponies.ie | Website: www.miniatureponies.ie