THE Goldburn Beagles met at Davy Dwyer’s Farm in Robinstown, County Meath and Davy and his sons Danny and Jamie made a special presentation to Michael Lynch, the huntsman of the Goldburns, who is retiring from hunting hounds this season.

In this part of the country, hunting, racing and the GAA go hand in hand. Michael’s late father Andy was travelling head man for trainer Noel Meade for 20 years and was honorary whipper-in to the Ward Union Staghounds for 30 seasons. He went on to train horses and produce winners like Zabana who won the Grade 1 Glowise Novice Chase in Punchestown.

Michael helped his father for some years, and now works for the Wards and also acts as a road whipper in. He has done a great job hunting the Goldburns and attracted a good following from the Ward, Meath and Fingal followers who take their families out beagling on the weekend.

It is always noticeable the number of followers who wear the Meath GAA Football colours in their daily lives and the county players have given the supporters some reason for hope of another All Ireland win with their performances in the last two years. But the ladies’ team has stepped forward and filled the gap in the meantime winning two All-Ireland Football titles in 2021 and 2022.

Before a hunting accident caused him to retire from mounted hunting, Davy was one of the top cross-country riders of his time, riding up front with the Ward hunt staff on his well-known hunters Big Tom and Big Ben, but it has not dampened his enthusiasm for following every day by car. His son Danny has taken over from Davy in the hunting field and he now rides up front with the Wards on his well-known hunter Billy the Kid. His other son Jamie produces point to pointers, and combines it with a breaking and pre-training, handling many of the local trainers’ young horses. One well known graduate of Jamie’s was Fennor Cross who won four flat races and two hurdle races in Cheltenham and a Grade 3 in Aintree trained by John McConnell.

Amply rewarded

Chloe Mahon put on a great display of food for the followers at the meet, assisted by Rachel White, Danny and Jamie. Some of the followers were checking their watches as while they wanted to see some of the hunting, they also planned to make the short run over the road to Fairyhouse to see the racing. Raised ground at the back of the farmyard fitted the bill as they had a good view of the first draw and were amply rewarded as hounds kindly ran an accommodating line.

Watching the races later on TV, I recognised a few of the Goldburn followers that were at the meet having safely arrived in Fairyhouse to see local trainer and former Ward follower Gordon Elliot win a four-timer, including the two main feature races. And Caragh Monaghan, who I last met hunting with the Fingals, was the winner of the Bar One Betting Ladies Chase on Vaureal for Ian Donoghue, who previously hunted the County Down Staghounds.

It was Meath GAA Day at Fairyhouse as Caragh also has a Senior All Ireland Football medal. You see it every day how the hunting field polishes the riding skills of these young jockeys, particularly for balance and reading a stride that sets them on their way to winning many of the prestigious horse races all over the world.

The masters of the Goldburn are Aileen Byrne Williams and John O’Toole. Aileen is the vice chairperson of The Hunting Association of Ireland and the Secretary of The Masters of Beagles Association. Her father Kevin was master of the Goldburn (1987-2003) and sadly died in office. Aileen who is in her 22nd season as master has managed the Goldburns as a club through many difficult times. In the last number of years, the hunt has seen a significant increase in followers from mounted packs and from various GAA clubs as they find it a great way of fine tuning their fitness while still enjoying the camaraderie of making new friends in the beautiful North County Dublin and Meath countryside.

History and origins

In addition to the hosts Davy, Danny and Jamie Dwyer at the meet were Mattie Dwyer, Jack and Chloe Mahon, Colin Byrne who is also the joint chairman of the Ward Union Hunt and who whipped into the Goldburns for many years previously, AJ Collins, Joey Elliot, a number of Gavin Cromwell’s nephews, Michael, Emily and young Jack McCabe. Following as well was Dermot O’Reilly from County Monaghan who hunted with the Lackey Hunt, a foot pack based outside Clones one of the many in the county. Dermot also has a keen interest in the history and origins of hounds and hound breeding.

The huntsman Michael Lynch moved off with 12 ½ couple of hounds from the back of the farmyard. The followers that had plans to go racing in nearby Fairyhouse took up a prime position and they were rewarded as hounds struck a line straight away in the hairy ground just two fields in. The music wafted up into the Meath skies which was magic to listen to. The huntsman complimented the chorus with a very decisive sound of ‘Gone Away’. Dwyer’s hunters and point-to-pointers were in their element, not too excited as they see hounds passing very frequently, and were keeping us informed with the direction of the hounds as they disappeared out of sight looking exactly in the direction of the pack on every twist and turn. It reminded me of a similar scene in a Snaffles print titled, ‘The Informers’.

Running at speed

Hounds hunted left-handed first, circling back and then swinging left again in a line for Robinstown Motors in the direction of horse trainer Claire O’Connell’s stables near Donaghmore Cross. Incidentally, Claire trained Roman Harry a 50/1 winner in Dundalk recently, ridden by Niall McCullagh. The followers by now were keeping up well, but a few were feeling the pressure. Just then hounds turned yet again and settled in the direction back towards Ashbourne Rugby Club where they circled back towards McGrath’s in Palmerstown where they checked.

The huntsman took the pack across the road into Pat Rooney’s farm who has been a racehorse owner for many years. Hounds were on song running at speed down Bobbett’s Glen and circled again right-handed and conveniently for the followers back along the banks of the Broadmeadow River checking again near the meet. It was a terrific hunting afternoon with the Goldburn Beagles and their huntsman Michael Lynch was in top form. And it was an equally perfect for the many racing fans in Fairyhouse with Gordon Elliot securing four winners and Caragh Monaghan riding her first winner over fences.