Christy's Dream

Christy’s Dream is based on the Dublin phenomenon of ‘urban cowboys’, young lads who own and ride horses in deprived areas of the city. Stories of horses living in houses and other bizarre occurrences are legion, but in recent times there has been a recognition that horses have a meaningful role to play in the lives of many boys who otherwise lack any sense of purpose or direction. As a result, schemes providing stabling and education in caring properly for the animals have been set up within communities in the city.

The story of Christy, who longs for a pony of his own, is narrated in simple and direct language, and Binch uses naturalistic watercolours rather than words to provide details of life on the tower block estate which is his home. The scenes around the horse market at Smithfield are captured with vivid realism as Christy, smiling and hopeful, and his craggy-faced Granda stride among the dealers and their animals. While Granda is in the pub with his cronies, Christy slips off to buy the beautiful grey filly with which he has fallen in love. The problem then is how to tell Ma who is dead against the horses. Eventually she is reconciled, leaving Christy free to dream his dream of becoming a famous jockey. Christy’s Dream, a story of hope and resourcefulness, is well served by Binch’s talent for painting both horses and humans.