Name of Huntsman and where from: Padraic Behan, from Croom, Co Limerick.

Name of Pack: The Limerick Harriers.

Kennels based at: Rockbarton, Grange, Co Limerick.

What type of hounds and how many?: We have 30 couple of Hounds, mostly Old English, Modern English and Dog Harriers.

Hunting experience: As a youngster, I hunted with my local packs, the Stonehall Harriers and Limerick Harriers. I have hunted with a lot of different packs too around Ireland, and in England and America. I also hunted a season in New Zealand before I took over my role as Huntsman with the Limerick Harriers, where I previously whipped-in for eight seasons.

Biggest influence to date: There have been so many. Masters and followers, both past and present, of the Limerick Harriers have given me a lot of support and help. They have shared many wise words of wisdom in the last three seasons. Brian O’Leary is a good friend and works as the kennel huntsman, he is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to hound breeding and he is great to keep an eye on hounds on each hunting day.

Where did your interest in hunting stem from?: My parents. As a child I remember going to see the great Hugh Robards hunting the County Limericks’ each Saturday. He had great hunts from one parish into the next. Foot hunting on Sundays with the local packs also encouraged my passion for the sport. Growing up I hunted horseback with my cousins whom are still either hunting here in Ireland or abroad.

Daily role of a huntsman and pre-hunt day prep: On non-hunting days, day-to-day the jobs may vary. The four hunt horses have to be fed, cleaned out and exercised each day. With the kennel man Brian O’Leary, the kennels have to be washed down and all the hound beds freshened up. Once this is complete, all the hounds are walked and fed once we return. All hounds are checked over for any injuries or unhealthy signs before they head back into their kennel for the night. Once the hounds are finished, hound feed has to be collected for the following day.

On a pre-hunt day, horses are exercised and stables cleaned out. The horses which are going hunting are washed and plaited. All tack and hunting attire is cleaned and prepared. I will then travel around with the area manager and meet as many farmers and landowners in the area as possible, all farmers are carded and contacted about the hunt but I feel meeting them in person is the best way of saying ‘thank you’ for the use of their land the following day. Once I am happy with my draws and the country, I return to the kennels to pick out my hounds for the following day.

How do you decide which hounds will go hunting?: After autumn hunting, I pick a pack of around 25 couple which will be used for the coming season. The pack is mainly made up of Old English and Modern English and Harrier dogs for voice.

I usually hunt around 14 couple of hounds rotating every Wednesday and Saturday. In open country/dairy country, I usually pick a lot of Harrier dogs and in country with forestry/plantations, I mainly pick Old English and Modern English. It’s great to have the choice of either harriers or foxhounds.

How do you choose the various meets?: The meets are chosen at an area managers meeting at the start of the year and by meeting various hunts in the area so no meets clash throughout the hunting year.

Importance of local network of puppy walkers:The puppy walkers are the backbone of the hunt. It is very easy pick out a hound which has been puppy walked and one which has been raised in the kennels, there really is no comparison.

On return to the kennels, the puppies are much more social, thus take no notice of gates, wire or livestock. It is great to show appreciation of the puppy walkers hard work at our puppy show which is held at the start of the year.

Favourite hunting memory: Hard to pick one as I had so many over the years, but If I had to choose, I would say my first season as Huntsman. We had a great day in West Limerick with hounds in front of us all day and just crossing the best of Limerick bank country with lifelong friends. (The one or two beverages and Irish music in the local Tavern afterwards wasn’t too bad either!)

What in your view is the best thing about hunting and being a huntsman?: Men and women of all ages coming together and having a great day out, watching the hounds working and riding across the countryside. Attending events such as the Berneys Huntsman Challenge in Punchestown and the hunt balls are equally important as it brings all hunting people together and keeps horseback hunting alive.

Heading home after a good day’s hunting, everybody is smiling, horses are tired and your hounds have given their all.