OBITUARY: Terence McKeag

Well-known equestrian expert passes away

On Friday, October 6, 2023, Terence Adams McKeag, BEM, JP, MFH passed away.

The late Terence Adams McKeag, BEM, JP, MFH pictured at Balmoral Show, where he stewarded for over 50 years.

Terence was born on April 2, 1942 in Ballyrobert, Craigavad, County Down.

He was married to Heather for 48 years and they had three children, Simon, Neville and Hilary.

For well over half a century, equestrian expert Terence McKeag has been a familiar figure at all the major shows and events across Ireland.

He received the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to Agriculture and to Equestrian Sport in Northern Ireland in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list in January 2022.

Terence was no stranger to presentations, having received a prestigious award from the Royal Dublin Society’s Equestrian Committee, in acknowledgement of his significant contribution to the annual Dublin Horse Show and to equestrianism in Ireland.

He was a long-serving life member of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS), having stewarded at Balmoral Show for over 50 years and was presented with an honorary award by the Princess Royal for his services.

Terence devoted his life to equestrian activities and, whilst residing at Fairview, Ballygilbert, he hosted the North Down Harriers Point-to-Point for many years, as well as an Irish Horse Trials Society annual event. He was an amateur point-to-point rider and competed successfully on his own horse ‘Enfield Rebel’.

Terence was also a past Master of North Down Harriers and was responsible for instigating the New Year’s Day hunt at the Olde Inn, Crawfordsburn.

He was a lifelong member and elder of Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church and an honorary member of North Down Rotary Club.

He is sadly missed by his wife Heather, his three children Simon, Neville and Hilary and three grandchildren, Finlay, Avy and Eben.

GC