THERE are few families in Ireland with such a deep involvement in hunting as the Kerrs from Co Kildare. As custodians of both Mr Kerr’s Beagles and the harriers of the South County Dublin Hunt, their life revolves around hunting.

Paul Kerr has been immersed in the sport as long as he can remember. His wife Finola, along with their daughters, Catherine (33), Eve (31) and Grace (29), have all followed his passion. Today, all five play key roles in the running of these hugely popular packs.

Mr Kerr’s Beagles dates to the 1950s. It was named after Paul’s late father, Paddy Kerr. “My father got involved with beagles through his sister Rose. She was married to Jim Magee, who ran the Delgany Beagle Club. He got his first beagles from them. The family also ran a riding centre,” Paul recalled.

A native of Louth, Paddy moved to West Wicklow in the 1950s, first living in a wing of the spectacular Russborough House outside Blessington. “Back then, the beagles - who hunt hare - were trencher fed in that they were kept by different hunt members and brought together on hunting days. They were registered with the Irish Masters of Beagles Association in 1955.”

Follow the beagles

Things were much different back then, with less road networks. Also, there wasn’t as much farm stock or fences. “There used to be a huge following in the early days. People would come from Dublin on the bus to follow the beagles for the day. We had a lot of locals too and farming people, and kids.”

In the mid-1960s, Paddy and his wife Louise - who was a keen Connemara pony enthusiast - moved just a few miles down the road from Russborough. This farm continues to be home to both packs - some 30 beagles and 30 harriers.

Both Paul and his late brother John whipped-in to their father from a young age, and John later took over as huntsman. When John died in 1994, the mantle was handed to Paul. He hunted the foot pack until about 10 years ago, when his daughter Grace took over the hunting horn. Catherine and Eve have also hunted them from time to time.

Each Sunday during the season, the pack meets at various locations across West Wicklow and East Kildare. On a busy day, the beagles and their followers may walk up to 10 kilometres, often working their way back to their location at dusk.

Always on hand is one of their longest-standing supporters, Des Bell, who has been whipper-in for many years.

Route through farmland

Paul’s connection to the South County Dublin Hunt - one of only a handful of drag hunts in Ireland - goes back over 35 years. The hunt itself dates to the mid-1800s and meets throughout South Dublin and into parts of West Wicklow and Kildare. They hunt an artificial scent over a pre-determined route through farmland, with plenty of jumping included.

“I had hunted the Kildare Foxhounds for about eight seasons before that. Back then, the Kildares hunted on Monday and Thursday and the SCDH hunted on Saturday.

“When Roger Harvey retired as huntsman of the SCDH, I was asked to take them over. That was the early 1990s. I hunted both the Kildares and the drag hunt for one season. The harriers later relocated to here from Grangecon.”

Caring for beagles and harriers, and horses, is a full-time job, but Paul has great help in his wife Finola and his daughters, who officiate as whippers-in and rotate the role while juggling their own commitments. Catherine is a qualified nurse, while Eve works in finance. Grace has recently qualified as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA).

Even in the summer months, there is little down time. They are exercised daily, the beagles on foot close to home and the harriers on the roads. “The roads are quiet around here. We do a five-mile loop on horseback, which gets them fit for the season ahead. We always look forward to seeing new followers for the beagles, and newcomers are very welcome,” Paul concluded.