The Jack de Bromhead Equine Centre Officially Opens on ChildVision Campus
- Danny Joyce | Editor
- Sep 27
- 4 min read
Today, Henry and Heather de Bromhead, along with their daughters Mia and Georgia and surrounded by family, friends and supporters officially opened The Jack de Bromhead Equine Centre located on the campus of ChildVision in Drumcondra. The new 1,375 sq.m. indoor equine therapeutic centre, named in memory of their beloved son and brother, was built as a result of a campaign spearheaded by Chris Jones which drew generous donations from a group of family and close friends of the de Bromhead’s.
The new indoor facility at the ChildVision campus, which took seventeen months to complete, is at the forefront of specialist therapy and education for children with visual impairments and will give children with visual impairments and additional disabilities access to the best global equine activities in a supportive and purpose designed environment. The centre will allow the ChildVision equine team and volunteers to extend their services to reach more children over more hours making a life-changing difference, especially through the winter months and in bad weather conditions.
The de Bromhead family – Henry, Heather and their daughters Mia and Georgia said today,“The equine centre at ChildVision is a wonderful legacy for our beloved Jack, a hugely missed son and brother. Horses are a huge part of our lives, and we know the physical experience of riding a horse offers so many potential benefits, especially helping address a host of physical, social and emotional issues. More so, the Jack de Bromhead Equine Centre will be a place of learning and hope, full of laughter and joy, traits that were such a part of Jack, all facilitated by the much-treasured horses and ponies that call the ChildVision stables home”.
“We are delighted to have been part of this journey and today to see this vision become a reality with the opening of the Centre. We are forever grateful to all the donors who came on board to support us – we know Jack would be really proud of what this life-changing generosity will enable for generations to come”.
Barry Sheridan, ChildVision CEO, commented, "We are thrilled to be opening the doors of the Jack de Bromhead Equine Centre at ChildVision, a state-of-the-art facility that will enable life-changing opportunities for the children and young people we support. At ChildVision, we strive to empower individuals with visual impairments and other disabilities to live as independently and confidently as possible, and this new centre is a shining example of that commitment in action."
"This incredible facility has been made possible thanks to the generosity and vision of Henry and Heather and their close friend Chris Jones, whose support has been instrumental in bringing this dream to life. In this Equine Centre we will ensure that Jack’s memory will live on in all those families that come through the doors, all those children who will sit up on one of our horses or ponies and we thank the de Bromhead family for entrusting Jack’s name with us. And to all those that supported this fundraising initiative and who look to support us in the future know that we remain committed to delivering the very best in equine assisted activities in the years ahead”.
Chris Jones commented, “Today is a day for the de Bromhead family - for Henry, Heather, Mia and Georgia and of course for the children and families at ChildVision. The vision for this equine centre was to create a space where even more children could benefit from equine assisted therapies. From the beginning of this journey, we wanted to find a fitting way to remember our wonderful friend Jack - who was a hugely talented horseman but also a kind, caring and joyful young man. Now Jack’s name will be forever associated not only with the equine world but with creating joy and hope for so many children. It’s been an immense privilege to be part of this campaign and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful donors who gave so generously to ensure this building became a reality. I know Jack would be really proud by what’s been enabled in his memory”.
Lucy Dillon, Equine Unit Manager of ChildVision added, “Having a facility such as this which has been built by donors, many who were previously strangers to us but friends and family to the de Bromheads, will enable our team of dedicated staff and volunteers to help those children most in need of equine assisted activities. To be able to now be in a position to help more children – not worry about things such as inclement weather or losing natural light is something we are all looking forward to in the weeks, months and years ahead. We are incredibly proud of the work we do and to see children engage with our horses and ponies in such a positive way is why we do what we do”.
Garvan Hanley of Hanley Taite Design Partnership based in Virginia, Co. Cavan was commissioned by ChildVision to design the new centre on the campus. The new equine centre is a contemporary, tensile fabric, curved roofed building with timber and brick clad walls providing an enclosed sand arena, stables for up to 10 horses and ponies, changing facilities, offices, a viewing area/learning space and all ancillary accommodation. The building extends to 1375 sq.m. and will provide services in all weather and on dark evenings in an environment that will offer comfort and safety to its users.
Speaking on the opening, Garvan Hanley of Hanley Taite Design Partnership said, “The new equine centre blends contemporary design with its historic walled garden setting, while prioritising sustainability through renewable materials, solar technology and environmentally conscious construction. Purpose-built to support ChildVision’s work with children of all abilities, the centre provides a safe, accessible and sensory-rich environment where equine assisted activities can take place year-round. With state-of-the-art stables, training facilities for future equine instructors, and landscaped surroundings created by young adults in ChildVision’s Pathways programme, the building is both a community resource and a model for inclusive, sustainable design”.
For updates, follow ChildVision:
Facebook: facebook.com/ChildVisionVI/
Instagram: @childvisionvi
Website: www.childvision.com
Slán go fóill.
