hill pilgrimages and that changes in the calendar might well mean that Cahirmee Fair once fell at the end, and not in the middle, of the seventh month. However, there is no doubt that this fair was a recognised institution prior to the Cromwellian Wars, because references to the Fair Field of Cahirmee are to be found in ancient documents dating from the reign of Charles II. It would be interesting, if one could, to trace the history of many of the young colts and fillies that started out on their career of fame when they were brought to the fair-field of Cahirmee. One at least of them has achieved immortality, for he served as the throne from which a great captain-general brought a continent to his feet. He is the white charger Marengo, which Napoleon is shown as riding in Meissonier's masterpiece The Retreat from Moscow. Coincidentally, the Duke of Wellington's horse at the Battle of Waterloo, an Irish black named Copenhagen, was also purchased at Cahirmee. 2020 COVID-19 pandemic Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Garda Síochána and council officials have held meetings in order to prevent the fair happening in July 2020. Councillor Ian Doyle, Mayor of County Cork, said that it was likely the council would have to put up barriers. He also said that the council would contact the various horse organisations to ask them not to support the 2020 fair. He said that by the date of the fair the expected travel limit would be 20km and that the majority of those attending would come from much further away. He said that the Charleville Agricultural Show and Mallow Garden Festival had been cancelled on safety grounds. Normally the fair attracts thousands of people. There were other cancellations in 1915–18 & 1940–45. References 3. Denis A. Cronin, Irish Fairs and Markets: Studies in Local History, Four Courts Press, Dublin 2001. Horse history and evolution Warhorses Annual fairs Fairs in Ireland