Lillian to the rescue

( JJ Hurley)

(Lillian Gash seen here preparing to visit Kinsale Hospital at Christmas )

Lillian Gash has provided an important sanctuary for many animals, with the latest addition making it to the inner sanctum of the Annual Horse Show at the prestigious RDS.

Charlie was a pony that was rescued from Wexford and brought to the Cobh Horse Rescue Centre, where Lillian spotted him and he was subsequently adopted by her.

Almost immediately, Charlie developed a bond with her daughter, Samantha, which reached unbelievable heights last summer, qualifying first at a preliminary competition at Belgooly Show, earning a chance to take part at the RDS in August.

The dream came true for Samantha and Charlie as they both shone at the qualifier proper at Wexford during the summer.

For Lillian, it was a very proud moment to see them both jumping at the heart of Ireland’s elite performers in the national arena.

‘That was a big thing for any rider to be able to qualify for the RDS, making the top 20 ponies in the country,’ she said.

‘You were against the cream of the crop, you are up against horses that are worth thousands of euro, the kids are professionals and their parents are professional trainers too, and Samantha and Charlie proudly completed the competition with only four faults.’

They later travelled to Scotland as part of an Irish jumping team, thanks to the help of Tiggy’s Trust, and both are looking forward to the coming season, as Eimear White continues to help with their development.

In addition to helping out with the Cobh Horse Rescue Centre, Lillian also lends her shoulder to the wheel at another similar project, My Lovely Horse.

The Munster Lost and Found Helpline is another organisation that Lillian helps out with, particularly when it comes to cats.

A member of the Cat Association Club in Cork, not only does she run her own cattery, she also provides a home to abandoned felines and helps to organise the annual cat show in Blarney.

A devout animal lover, she has brought much joy to her place of work at Kinsale Hospital, where a number of regular visitors from the farm bring joy to the older patients.

Most recently, it was Shana the sheep who paid a visit at Christmas, suitably attired for the festive season.

Shana has been a regular visitor since Lillian took her on as a pet.

With the flock continuing to grow, the Robert’s Cove resident is hoping to bring a number of newborn lambs, suitably attired with nappies, to the hospital, with older residents taking the opportunity to bottle-feed the lambs.

It is something Lillian believes is very important, as it brings the older generation back to many memories of their younger days.