HISTORY

A hunting pack was founded in 1735 by the Sherbourne family of Loughcrew. Then in 1797, the Ballymacad Foxhounds was founded by a Dean and two local squires and kennelled in Loughcrew by William Naper.

BALLYMACAD FOXHOUNDS

Chairman: Ken Farrelly

Masters: Thosh Kellett and Jim Stevenson

Huntsman: Kevin Donohoe

Whippers-in: Bobby Kellett and Maurice Quinn

Field-Master: Ken Farrelly

Joint Honorary Secretaries: Rachel Gilsenan and Mark Meehan

I WAS pleasantly surprised when a number of Ballymacad hunt followers complimented hounds and the huntsman for working really hard all day in poor scenting conditions. Their priorities would appear to be hounds, acknowledging the performance of their hunters and not indulging in self-praise, the generosity of the farming community, and the privilege of crossing natural country.

The Ballymacad hunting country could be best described as ‘God’s own’ country, with its absence of motorways, relatively unspoiled countryside, natural coverts, and magnificent scenery. If one wanted an insight into innovative fundraising, look no further than the Ballys. They have a series of Newbie Novice meets that Anne Marie Galligan deservedly gets the credit for.

The meets are designed to introduce old and new to hunting, and make Pony Clubs, Riding Clubs and visitors welcome, with meets that are suitable for jumping and non-jumping alike. They have pioneered the Best Hunter Event, raffled a few made hunters, hosted an enjoyable Simulated Game Shoot followed by a Game Dinner cooked by Michelin Star Chef Richard Corrigan and his Mayfair Restaurant staff at his Virginia Park Lodge. It was originally a hunting lodge and very popular for weddings.

HALFWAY HOUSE

The meet was at the Halfway House in Ballinlough village, owned by Bernard O’Reilly and his wife Margaret. Another Margaret (Gavin) was busy in the grocery. She is the aunt of the Gordon Elliot-based jockey Keith Donoghue. Foot followers Willie and Liz Reddy, Paddy McCabe, Mark Wiseman and his son Matt and George Brady from London, home visiting the family poised with the 2019 hunt calendar, while joint honorary secretary Rachel Gilsenan was busy collecting the cap.

One is struck by the high standard of turnout of the 60 mounted followers who obviously take a great pride in their hunting attire. Proper black hunting jackets, black velvet covered caps – there were no wax jackets or multi-coloured cap covers in sight!

Ballymacad Foxhounds field-master Ken Farrelly with Eileen Farrelly (not related) at their meet from Ballinlough village (Photo: Noel Mullins)

Joint-master Jim Stevenson and his wife Brona were hunting while his fellow joint master of 25 seasons, Thosh Kellett, was still entertaining visitors at home. Also out were field-master Ken Farrelly, Paul Keogan, Mary Jane Roberts who has been known to partner a few point-to-point winners in her day, Cathryn Gibney, Sinead and Kate Hyland, Edel Tuite, Collette Keogh, Eileen Farrelly whose husband Ambrose was following by car, Bronwyn Fitzpatrick, Brendan Tully, a brother of Olivia who has taken a break from hunting to raise her two children, now at their most active age! Young riders Ciara Smith and Eimear Callaghan were on two smashing ponies.

Ciara O’Neill was hunting with her father Gary (the incoming joint-master of the Ballymacads) from the well-known Fincourt Hotel in Oldcastle, a favourite hostelry for hunt followers. David Wiggins and Sara McDonnell were visiting from the Louth Foxhounds. David’s aunt Joan Wiggins whipped-in to the North Tipperary Foxhounds. Colin Crowe was also visiting from the neighbouring Westmeath Foxhounds.

Following by car were Jim McDonnell, who hunts a Kerry Beagle pack in Co Louth, and Grainne Farrelly, married to hunt follower Colm Tully. Philip Sheridan, now retired from hunted for 54 seasons was out, with three members out of the five Donohoes that hunted the Ballymacads, current huntsman Kevin, his father Barry and his grandfather Peter.

He was also field-master for 25 seasons with his highlight a 45-minute slow hunt in Billis which put hounds to the pin of their collars to stay true to the line on a bad scenting day, but that is what makes a day’s hunting for true hunt followers.

Cara Kellett, wife of whipper-in Bobby, waved the followers off with their two children Siun and Evan. Eoghan McCabe, whipper-in of the Kildare Foxhounds, was on a day off. John Culligan, accompanied by Paul Smith, has two nephews, Ian and Colm McKeever in New York, operating horse drawn carriages in Central Park. Donal Gilsenan was out with his daughter Rachel. His brother Rory runs one of the largest show horse yards in Britain.

Also Grainne Gibbons, owner and manager of Sallymount Sport Horses and Stud, who told the amazing tale of schooling Top Gun for Jan Tops, two weeks before the Barcelona Olympics.

She found herself in a field with the shortest way out over four strands of wire. Needless to say, Tops was slightly unhappy when he heard it. But the horse went on to win an individual bronze medal and team gold, so Grainne’s wire jumping was probably the makings of him! Meanwhile Nobby Halpin, Brendan Tully and 11-year-old Cece Jackson had tidied up around the pub with a wheelie bin before the hunt got to the first covert.

IN THE BLOOD

Huntsman Kevin Donohoe is the consummate professional, punctual at the meet, moving off at 11am which means all the followers are ready too. He is the fifth in his family to hunt the Ballymacads, now in his 21st season, and has a reputation as a hound breeder and a regular winner at the National Hound Show.

He is a producer of some of the finest and well-schooled hunters and eventers, many that go to Britain, Europe and the USA to carry masters, hunt staff and hunt followers of many packs. He has attracted one of the strongest teams of any hunt with Vanessa Lennon, a key organiser, driving the hunt truck, and a way of getting on with his string of young sport horses that pass through Donohoe’s yard each season.

His two whippers-in, Bobby Kellett and Maurice Quinn, are the best in the business, operating with their huntsman like a well-oiled machine. And recently he has two very committed former National Hunt jockeys. Shane McGovern, who many will remember partnering the legendary Limestone Lad, who in 1999/2000 alone won eight major races as well as accounting for another legend, Istabraq, by five and a half lengths in the Hattons Grace, was one.

Also out was Barry Reynolds who rode for trainers Noel Meade and Gavin Cromwell. They are not just horsemen but have a huge interest in hounds, helping out in kennels, whipping-in and ride the young hunters. The kennel huntsman is Alan Keogan and on fencing duty is Carl Clinton.

The first draw in the stubble in Ranavogue, hounds had their sterns up, cold marking near the Plantation. Surprisingly, the Old Fort was blank. But hounds found in Gilsenans of Ardglasson.

Scent was, to say the least, poor but Donohoe’s pack don’t need a strong scenting day, and they gave this fox some serious exercise but lost him as he may have ran back to Ranavogue. There was a brace and a half in Thomastown and as can happen in poor scenting conditions, the pack split but quickly reformed and got a nice 30-minute hunt over the best of stone wall and big up-bank country, ideal for young hunters in the making.

The huntsman passed through Williamstown and found again in Jimmy Melia’s, pressing on through Finnegan’s, Tommy Snow’s, Declan Flood’s, John Chatham’s and crossed the Loughcrew road, hunting right up 1,000 feet to the summit to the 5,000-year-old Loughcrew Cairn, and marked to ground on James Naper’s farm.

Riders turned around in awe at the spectacular panoramic views of the countryside, one of those special occasions that will live on in the memory of old and young alike.

What a day! Huntsman Kevin Donohoe and his hounds weaved their magic yet again, but like the modest man he is, he puts it all down to his fantastic team.