Harnessing the history of the Northern Ireland Carriage Driving Association 

The Northern Ireland Carriage Driving Association (NICDA) stands today as a testament to the passion, determination, and community spirit of the people who built it. From its earliest days, the association has been shaped not just by a love of carriage driving, but by the individuals whose enthusiasm and commitment turned a shared pastime into a thriving organisation.

The story begins in the late 1970s, when local driving enthusiasts from Lurgan, Gilford, and Tandragee began meeting informally. Among those early pioneers were Charlie Monaghan, Joe Topley, Fred and John Uprichard, Jim McCready, Cecil Bunting, Louis Magill, Jackie Larkin, Laurence Ferris, Martin Shepherd, and Tommy Martin. Their gatherings were simple but meaningful—harnessing up horses on a Saturday afternoon and heading out across the countryside to places like Omeath and Newry. On one memorable occasion, a small group even undertook a four-day return journey to Kerrykeel in County Donegal. These journeys were about more than driving; they were about friendship, adventure, and shared passion.

As the group grew, it became clear that something special was taking shape. Cecil Bunting, who would become the association’s first Chairman, played a key role in guiding the transition from informal meets to an organised club. Alongside him, Louis Magill served as Secretary and Beth Elvin as Treasurer, helping to lay the administrative foundations that allowed the association to flourish. Their leadership ensured that the enthusiasm of those early days was channelled into a sustainable and inclusive organisation.

The association’s development was also influenced by those who introduced new ideas and experiences. A significant moment came after Louie O’Neill and Bobby Sloan travelled to the renowned Lowther Driving Trials in Cumbria. There, they met Robert Bowman and witnessed tandem driving in action. Inspired, Louie returned home with fresh ideas and measurements of obstacles, which helped shape the first one-day competitive event held at Tullylagan House near Cookstown in the early 1980s. This marked a turning point, as the club began to embrace competitive carriage driving alongside its social roots.

Throughout the years, many individuals have left their mark through their achievements in competition. Joe Moore, invited by former Chairman Raymond Cousins to judge at Baronscourt, had a profound influence on drivers during the 1990s. His guidance encouraged competitors to raise their standards and strive for excellence, particularly in pursuit of qualification for the National Championships held for many years in Windsor Great Park. Spectators at Baronscourt were also treated to memorable moments, including the sight of HRH Prince Philip competing with his pony four-in-hand—an experience that inspired many within the club.

NICDA members have enjoyed considerable success over the decades. The prestigious Boland Cup at the Irish Championships was first won by a NICDA member in 1984 and has been claimed on numerous occasions since. Drivers such as Sara Clinghan, Judith Lyttle, Julie Ingram and Edwin Bryson have achieved national champion and reserve champion titles at British National Championships, demonstrating the high calibre of talent within the club.

On the international stage, NICDA members have proudly represented their club and country. Sara Clinghan, Fergus Shepherd, Edwin Bryson, Sinead McIntyre, Eddie Ingram, and Jackie Niblock have all competed at World Championships in Single Horse, Horse Pair and Combined Pony classes across Europe. Their participation not only reflects personal dedication and skill but also highlights the strength of the association as a whole.

The club has also seen success at prestigious events such as the Royal Windsor Horse Show, where members have competed in Single Pony, Single Horse, and Horse Pair classes. Drivers including Sara Clinghan, Edwin Bryson, Stephen Sloan, Sinead McIntyre, Jeffrey Lyons and Alex Bryson have all taken part, showcasing Northern Ireland’s carriage driving talent on an international stage.

Yet, beyond titles and competitions, it is the personal stories that truly define NICDA. The friendships formed over decades, the shared experiences of early morning preparations and long days on the course, and the countless hours volunteered behind the scenes all contribute to the club’s enduring spirit.

Hundreds of volunteers have given their time to steward events, build courses, manage logistics and support fellow members. Their efforts, often unseen, have been vital to the association’s success.

NICDA has also been a place where lives intertwine in meaningful ways. Over the years, it has been the starting point for lasting friendships and even marriages, reinforcing its role not just as a sporting organisation, but as a close-knit community.

As the association looks ahead, it does so with pride in its past and confidence in its future. In 2027, NICDA will celebrate its 50th anniversary—an important milestone that honours five decades of dedication, achievement and community. It will be an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of those early pioneers, celebrate the successes of its members and look forward to the next generation of drivers who will carry the tradition onward.

The Northern Ireland Carriage Driving Association remains a living story—one written by its people, shaped by their passion, and driven forward by their shared love of the sport.