History

Reputedly the oldest pack in Ireland, though neighbouring Duhallow might dispute this claim. They go right back to the Tonson-Rye family of Rye Court in 1742. The eggshell blue of their hunt collars reputedly relates to Eliza, John Tonson-Rye’s wife, who chose it as the colour of her favourite ball gown. A dyed in the wool hunting man, John expanded the country and hunted three days a week thereafter for 28 seasons. It has been worn with pride by members in the intervening 282 years.

Team

Chairman: Mr Brendan Browne

President: Mr Jim Willis

Master and huntsman: Mr Ken Grandon (2014)

Joint Masters: Mr John Crean (2014), Mr Killian Lynch (2014), Mr Robert Harkin (2003).

Whipper-in/field master and hon sec: Mr Daniel O’Riordan

Meets: Wednesday and Saturday 11.30am

WINDSOR, near Ovens in west Cork, was our venue for a lawn and gala meet of the Muskerry on Saturday.

The royal connection doesn’t end with the name, as everyone was royally entertained to a copious hunt breakfast as guests of John Crean MFH and his wife Grainne and her sisters, who must have had a cauldron of rashers and all kinds of good breakfast fare on hand. For those who weren’t into tea or coffee, there were lots of more interesting alternatives.

The family were further represented by children Daragh (driving a Gator), Charlie (12) and certainly not forgetting, on her good pony, young Grace, who is all of nine. Also part of the team was Ella Buttimer, on her big bay, who turns out the Crean horses and ponies to perfection.

While other hunts around the country may be struggling with increased costs and reduced numbers, the Muskerry are really on a roll. On the day, there were well over 60 mounted (a record turnout) and a cracking day’s hunting.

They now hunt a vast country from Macroom in the west to Youghal bridge in the east (95km). This vast country results from an unofficial amalgamation with the United based in Midleton and South Union from near Kinsale. Hounds are kennelled in the United kennels near Midleton with Joe Coyle as kennel huntsman. Joe was born with the sound of kennels in his young ears, as he is son of Pat Coyle, the legendary huntsman of the Ward Union.

Veteran

Certainly the veteran of the day was hunt president Jim Willis, who rarely misses a day. A man of uncertain years, he started hunting when Jack Mahony (1960-’73) carried the horn. For all that, he sees out the day almost until huntsman sounds the going home. Another follower who has given long service and still going strong is chairman Brendan Browne, who was out with his daughter Faye.

Likewise hunt secretary Donie O’Riordan, who runs a crash repair business, was out as was his son Daniel looking very smart in the Muskerry livery. From South Union came the galloping grandmother herself, Breada McCarthy from Carrigaline, who hasn’t missed an opening meet for over 60 seasons. She runs a bespoke furniture manufacturing business just outside Carrigaline.

From the United on the day, we had their long-time chairman Dom Daly and Mary Daunt, both of whom go back all the way to John Hyde as MFH. Visiting from Laois was Horse & Hound hunting correspondent Liam Clancy with his daughter Florette. Liam, as befits Ireland’s premier sporting artist, was looking very smart in a dashing scarlet cutaway.

The aptly-named Windsor is about two miles from the small west Cork village of Killumney, where John Crean and family have their farm. They run one of Ireland’s largest and most successful road-making businesses.

The Crean’s are nothing if not entrepreneurial, as his brother Pat (MH Fingal) was also out. Pat is a major player in the property world through his firm, who are now in the throes of erecting Ireland’s tallest building in Dublin, and he is also an owner of top show jumping horses. Also out was Pat’s personal legal adviser Taylor Devine, who we met last year with the South Union. More importantly, Pat is the sporting Joint Master of the Fingal and amateur whipper-in to Ollie Finnegan. Their third brother Jerry, who farms at home in north Kerry, was also out but on foot.

Liam Russell takes a high bank in his stride out with the Muskerry Foxhounds \ Catherine Power

Royal connections

That didn’t end the royal connection! Hunting on the day was that prince among National Hunt jockeys, the great Davy Russell, who was out with young Liam, a competent cross-country rider already at seven - of course, young Liam has a very good page! Davy, now retired from race riding, has won everything worth winning, including being Irish jump racing champion jockey three times. More importantly, he is a great family man and one of nature’s gentlemen.

He wasn’t the only sporting hero on the day as accompanying his daughter Lucy was rugby great Mick O’Driscoll. By all accounts, Lucy had a great day and enjoyed herself. Another well-known follower from the business world was Michael McCarthy of Volvo trucks. By all accounts, he had a clear round!

No day in Muskerry would be complete without Fran O’Callaghan on her trusty black cob. She and Yvonne Murphy from South Union were both out and had a great day. Another follower that is no stranger to Limerick is John Paul O’Callaghan, who was out on a really good type he was bringing on.

Muskerry is well mastered up with senior master Robert Harkin in office since 2003, out with his daughter Sophia, who works as a SNA in schools. Killian Lynch MFH from Macroom was also riding with his wife Chantal on foot.

Unique

The Muskerry are almost unique in the foxhound world in having an amateur Master and huntsman Ken Grandon, who has very successfully carried the horn for the last 12 seasons. He was out with his daughter Faye, who when not hunting is a teacher.

Also on hand was course builder Tony Hurley and former hunt secretary Michael Barry on his electric bike.

Even hearty breakfasts have eventually to be eaten and, following a few well-chosen words of welcome from senior master Robert Harkin, our huntsman mounted up on his good grey and with 10 and a half couple of smashing old English made his way to the first draw on Crean’s farm at Windsor Bog, which held a fine dog fox.

Hounds spoke almost immediately and, with the Muskerry orchestra in full flight, all the huntsman had to do was be a supportive observer. Without too much delay, our pilot was halloaed away by Daniel O’Riordan, who was on point. Hounds ran and crossed over to the road.

In the meantime, it was like the Crimean War, with loads of casualties and more loose horses than would remount a regiment. These banks were no respecters of rank and there was more than one red coat beagling at one stage.

As always, jockeys were restored to their horses and hunting continued across the road to Grange Hill, where they continued to hunt on. They ran through Crean’s neighbours - dairy farmers Liam and Jo O’Riordan, who always make the hunt welcome. Like all good things in life, it didn’t last and our pilot was marked to ground and was given best.

All the while, we were being kept in touch by Antony Coughlan, who is steeped in venery and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the country.

But the day wasn’t over, at least not quite yet. Hounds drew on through Ken White’s equestrian farm, where there was an abundance of made jumps available, which the hunt were permitted to pop over. The day was capped off with a useful schooling session.

It was a happy and well-satisfied group that made the short hack back to Windsor, where a generous plate of hunting stew awaited them. All in all, a most satisfactory day.