Dickie Power

WHEN I last hunted with the Co Clares, it was Declan Moran’s first day and opening meet as huntsman. Many milestones had been passed in the interim, not least of which was that he is now engaged to his whipper-in Gillian Byrnes. They make a strong team; hard working with a passion for hunting and both outstanding cross-country riders.

When Byrnes suggested that I should hunt at their kennel meet, with breakfast thrown in, I did not have to be asked a second time. The hunt moved to new kennels situated on the Shannon Estuary eight miles from Ennis around 10 seasons ago. Like any properly set up hunt kennels, it has a pub nearby aptly named The Local Inn.

Breakfast was up and running when we arrived and all and sundry, on foot and mounted, were well looked after courtesy of the pub and the hunt. All too soon the saddling bell was sounded and we got mounted for a photo call on the green outside the pub.

A short hack took us to the first draw where I had the opportunity to watch our huntsman and his two whippers-in on duty that day, Joe Coffey and the aforementioned Byrnes. Moran was mounted on a horse passed to him by Pat Quinn of Clarecastle who, having hunted for over 60 seasons, decided to hang up his boots

I have known Byrnes since her days as star rider on the Scarteen hunt chase team when they won all over the country. She works as an IT specialist with computer manufacturer Dell but manages to juggle her free time around the hunt card.

Her fiancé and huntsman has been hunting with the Clares since junior pony club and his dad Sean never voluntarily misses a day. The Morans are a strong racing family. Sean owned the very useful chaser New Story, trained by Michael Hourigan, who won the cross-country race at the Cheltenham Festival. Missing was solicitor Darragh Hassett, who was recovering from a bad fall incurred while hunting with the Quorn in Leicestershire, England, last week. He had to be helicoptered to hospital but happily is making a good recovery and will be back at his desk, if not in the saddle, shortly.

Moran is now in his second season and has consistently shown good sport since taking over. As hounds drew, the field popped walls as if they were going out of fashion. We hadn’t gone too far when local veterinary surgeon Ian Brassil managed to get himself bucked off a horse he was trying. Ian is a cousin of Grand National winning trainer Martin, whose charge Numbersixvalverde won in 2006 ridden by Slippers Madden. No harm done, he was back in the plate as if nothing had happened.

As we schooled over the famous Clare walls, I took a lead from Brian McCarthy from Quin, who has been hunting with the Clare’s for over 50 seasons and crosses the country with style and dash which belies his years.

YOUNGER GENERATION

The younger generation was represented by two family teams, local farmer Pat Troy and his son Ethan who had signed in at the local school in the morning before slipping off to go hunting, and Fergal Bannon, who runs the Weavers Inn in Newmarket-on-Fergus, with his daughter Mia.

As we reached the summit of Cragbrien hill we were treated to the panoramic view of the Shannon Estuary with Coney Island at the confluence of the rivers Fergus and Shannon. At this point the river is at least five miles wide.

Here I got a sharp lesson in the dangers of jumping unknown walls as I took on what appeared to be a most inviting obstacle, only to find a mighty drop at the far side. By some miracle both horse and man managed to remain upright and in one piece.

Just to show how it’s done in Clare, I was followed by Paul McInerney from Shepperton who sailed over it as if it was a hurdle. The McInerneys are a great hunting family, with dad Michael and brother James all mounted and going well. James is an equine specialist with FBD insurance and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. FBD are now insuring more hunts and equestrian activity in Ireland.

Also going well on a nice grey was farrier Tommy Considine, who has branched out and has opened a prep yard for young horses near Quin.

Hounds then crossed the road to draw land running down towards the estuary close to the kennels. As we crossed a bank, local landowner Kieran Coffey and his nice coloured horse missed their footing. The horse fell on Coffey but luckily didn’t struggle or kick. A team assembled to roll the horse off him and both continued unscathed.

Hounds spoke and a fox was viewed away by the ever-vigilant Byrnes but the land was saturated with recent slurry and even the scenting ability of the Clare hounds was no match for it. With going treacherous, Tom Lane and his horse slipped up on the flat and got absolutely plastered with slurry. He is a son of former IFA president and rugby international, the late Paddy Lane.

Hounds drew on again across the main road and in Johnny O’Brien’s crags it became evident that there was a brace afoot. Second season dog Sprocket, a draft from the South Notts pack, was first away.

The field was treated to the rare sight of the fox, hounds and hunt staff all in the one field and it took all the efforts of our field master Kieran O’Connor to maintain order. O’Connor runs a pub in Ruan and is brother-in-law of point-to-point jockey Derek who broke all records by riding his 1,000th winner this week.

MUSIC TO DIE FOR

With hounds flying and music to die for, we got a smashing dash towards Clarecastle over walls that would make the Blaszers envious. I tucked in behind Julie Ann Hannon from Ardsolous, making a return visit with her husband Johnny Prenderville from the Wards. They were both riding horses owned by her father Pat, who could go round with their eyes shut. Their owner has hunted with the County Clares for close on 70 seasons and rarely misses a day but he was otherwise detained on this occasion as he was judging at a fat stock show.

Also going well was nurse Mary Hogan from Kildysart, whose father Mick Hogan was a famous veterinary surgeon from that area. She is a close cousin of the late US president John F. Kennedy.

Just as horses and jockeys were feeling the strain, hounds marked in a previously unknown earth. He was given best and we pressed to draw the now-recovered Kieran Coffey’s land and from there into Marcus Neilans.

As hounds drew we hunted through Niall O’Connell’s very smart property. He was joint meet organiser on the day, a role he shares with Eugene O’Connor, the former owner of The Local Inn. As we drew on I had the opportunity to chat to Jim Arthur, riding a new grey who was having his first day in the walls but jumped like a veteran. We schooled back towards the kennels and the pub, where typical Clare hospitality soup and all that goes with it was there to refresh the field and foot followers.

Throughout the day my photographer was kept in touch by John Horan and his faithful terrier Jacksey. A day in Clare is always an experience and I can’t wait to return but next time I will be sure to always take a lead!

FACTFILE

Chairman: Kieran Walsh

Vice-chairman: Darragh Hassett

Honorary secretary: Angela Taylor

Treasurer: Derek Burke

Huntsman: Declan Moran

Field master: Jamesy Arthur

Whippers-in: Joe Coffey , Gillian Byrnes and Kieran Walsh

Point-to-point secretary: Paul O’Neill

HISTORY

Founded in 1890, the pack was originally designated as harriers before becoming foxhounds in the 1980s, though continuing to hunt in green. The founding master was Major Hickman of Fenloe House, who was also a great racing man. Fenloe, under the ownership of the late Tom Costello, produced five Gold Cup winners including Best Mate. Jimmo Quinn later became master and huntsman before passing over to Gerry Burke and Matty Green among others.