Richard Pugh

HEALY RACING photography and Richard Pugh share their passion and knowledge of Ireland’s unique point-to-point horse racing scene. Steeplechasing began in Ireland in 1752. Today the sport of point to pointing is thriving as a favourite rural pursuit and is for many their first experience of horse racing. At hundreds of pop-up races around the country dramas are played out, and horses, such as Best Mate and Honeysuckle, and riders, including Derek O’Connor, Jamie Codd, Davy Russell and Rachael Blackmore, begin their glittering careers. THE ORIGINS OF PTP * THE COURSES COUNTRYWIDE * THE HORSES * THE RIDERS * THE HANDLERS * THE GRASSROOTS OF IRISH RACING

In much of the West the concerns of rural people are marginalised and rural issues neglected. This stimulating book draws upon a rich variety of material to show why rural social work is such a challenging field of practice. It incorporates research from different disciplines and places to provide an accessible and comprehensive introduction to rural practice. The first part of the book focuses upon the experience of rurality. The second part of the book turns to the development of rural practice, reviewing different ways of working from casework through to community development. This book is relevant to planners, managers and practitioners not only in social work but also in other welfare services such as health and youth work, who are likely to face similar challenges.