Picture this: two riders in helmets jousting with a lance in Galway's Eyre Square, while two more are "prancing about, rearing to go".
Given the square's recent association with late-night horsing about and alcohol-fuelled activity, it is hard to imagine that it was once the proud venue for a grand provincial horse show.
And the attendance wasn't just local. The first Galway horse show of 1892 was "open to the world", although the "world" didn't quite take up the invitation, according to a recently published history.
Reflecting the late 19th century realisation that the horse was not just a "disposable war machine", Galway was one of a number of locations for this new type of leisure event.
Already the area was well provided for, according to Niamh O'Dochartaigh, author of Galway Show, The Story 1892-2000.
In 1888, the Royal Dublin Society allocated an annual sum of £3,000 for improving horse breeding in Ireland, and distributed thoroughbred stallions to different parts of the country to serve half-bred mares. Yet by this stage, horse numbers had increased dramatically in Connaught alone. And the success of the society's show in Dublin gave new impetus to improving quality.
If the first Eyre Square show was a grand occasion for the upper social classes, the event of 1893 was more modest. Chief organiser was Mr Henry Persse from Galway. Lack of space influenced the decision to relocate, and the show discontinued temporarily when Mr Persse died.
However, regular horse fairs and races were being held by then in other parts of the county. Ms O'Dochartaigh charts the "county show" history, continuing with the revival of the Eyre Square event in 1905, and her book is worth having for the photographs alone. Galway Show, The Story 1892-2000 by Niamh O'Dochartaigh is available in all good bookshops in the west.
As this is the last Out of the West column, apologies for the brief but very worthwhile mention of other publications of regional interest submitted to this reporter in recent months.
By Strange Paths: An Autobiography by a Benedictine of Kylemore Abbey has been written by Dame Elizabeth M. Magdalen Lee (€10). Out of the Shadows by Kieran Waldron is a history of 31 secondary schools in the archdiocese of Tuam. Father Waldron is a priest in the archdiocese and taught for 25 years in two of the schools profiled.
Foto Achadh Mor 2001 is a stunning annual photographic publication produced by the community of Achadh Mor near Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, and includes the photographer John Minihan among its contributors. Copies are available from its originator and editor Mr Joe Byrne at Achadh Mor, Co Mayo.
Tír Eolas in Kinvara, Co Galway, has just produced the second and updated edition of The Book of the Burren (€18.50).