It is said that the town of Buttervant gave the term Steeplechase to the English language, in 1752 a local horseman Edward Blake challenged a neighbour to race him from Buttervant to St Ledger church in Doneraile some four miles distant, by keeping the St Ledger steeple in sight both riders could reach the destination by the shortest route.

On the 12th July each year the town comes alive when the yearly Cahirmee Horse Fair is held, the towns streets are given over to the horse and for a day their owners wheel and deal with much hand slapping and banter, and as often is the case clinch the deal in the local pub.