Dartfield is seeped in Irish history. The original house was built in 1827 by Henry Blake a member of one of the historical tribes of Galway. The museum buildings were redesigned from the old courtyard in the grounds of Dartfield house. In 1993 Dartfield was bought by Willie Leahy, a local horseman and the owner of the famous Connemara Trail riding holiday, to expand his riding holiday business. In June 2000 work began to convert the courtyard. Now in place of the derelict cottages and stables stands a magnificent 19,000 sq ft facility, dedicated to Irish horses and the Connemara pony.

Dartfield is set amongst 350 acres of parkland for no extra charge visitors can enjoy the walking tour along safe level pathways and see deer, cattle, sheep and Irish horses and Connemara ponies. The parkland around Dartfield house was developed to create the Dartfield event course.

Willie has had an involvement with Irish horses and Connemara ponies for all of his life. He has led the popular riding holiday the Connemara and Coast trails for over 40 years and is Field Master of the Galway Blazers Hunt. He is also the largest breeder of Connemara ponies in the world and owns in the region of 400 horses. It is Willie’s vision and determination that led to the foundation of Dartfield and its current development to encompass the forgotten Irish history of rural life and the historic motor cars.