I HAVE very happy memories from my last visit to the Muskerry at Cloughduv a couple of seasons ago and was looking forward to a return visit. This small west Cork village is engrained in the Muskerry DNA. It was here they were first founded by the Tonson-Ryes in nearby Ryecourt, right beside the village. The property is still in the family and the present incumbent is Rosaleen Tonson-Rye, still very much involved in the bloodstock world. The link with the family continues through the hunt livery, a particular shade of blue collar, which was chosen by the first master’s wife as the colour of her favourite dress. The hounds were kennelled in Ryecourt up to 20 years ago when they moved to Mrs Coakley’s farm at Lough Ane in Blarney.