Pheonix Park has been the home of Irish polo since 1873 and is still is. The sport originated some two thousand years ago in Iran and, in the UK, during the days of Empire, was a training game for Army Cavalry units. Known as the ‘Sport of Kings’, it has long been associated with Royalty and indeed, Prince Charles has always been a keen player. Here we see a chukka in progress. A chukka lasts seven and a half minutes and between each one the riders change horses. The spectators shown in this photograph, taken in the 1890s, confirm the view that polo is a rich man’s sport.

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