25/06/2026
It's the only photo I've ever had Photoshopped.
Pat Gleeson's mare had her ears back in the original photo and no, this just would not do. Not for Pat's funeral .. I'd already asked the priest would it be appropriate to take a photo .. "I think Pat would like that," was his reply.
And now, Margaret, his other half, has joined Pat. Margaret Gleeson was a lady. There is no better word to define her. Stylish yet a shrewd character, always enjoyed hers and Pat's company, including a day at Coolgreen.
We knew Pat 'wasn't well', to use a-sometimes Irish euphemism for a terminal illness. Through his good friend Deirdre Quinn, a request arrived. Pat would dearly like an article written about him.
I cannot think of a more humble character to make such a 'bold' request. Perhaps emboldened by the inevitable, carpe diem. I'm just glad he got to read the finished article, rather than having to write his obituary instead.
A one-page feature, it was the broadest brushstroke of Pat's life, but at least it was a couple of chapters told.
Despite 'it' hovering over us, a lovely afternoon was spent in the 'good room', where Margaret's impeccable taste was stamped everywhere and walls filled with photos of Pat and his beloved Margaret, Draught horses. And more photos of the couple. He was so proud of Margaret, it went unspoken.
We still saw Margaret at shows after Pat passed away in September 2010; often with her good friends, the O'Donoghues, Marie Hayes, the Shannon and Slattery families; always with a stack of ISA yearbooks to sell at the earlier shows.
She was always a special guest of honour at Clarecastle Show, having put up the Pat Gleeson Memorial Cup for the Irish Draught championship. Her and Eileen Slattery, a former Rose of Tralee, pictured side by side; two glamourous Munster ladies.
A couple of years ago, at Newmarket on Fergus, Margaret mentioned a recent diagnosis, a heart-sinking moment.
Life can be cruel. Tonight is Shane Dalton's funeral, a young lad with his future ahead of him. All we can do is offer his family and friends words of love and support.
We mourn Margaret too tonight. I think I know now why I took that photo. It's a snapshot of paying respect; his mare led by Richard and Breid Shannon; Chris Ryan and Eamon Gleeson on their hunters; his good friends in the Irish Draught world surrounding Margaret.
We can say what we want about Ireland, but it's still a country of good people who rally round at these times for the Dalton and Gleeson families.
RIP.
