History

East Clare Harriers were officially formed in 1974 when the Co Clare was divided between the county pack and the newly-formed East Clare Harriers. They are predominantly a drag pack. Previous masters include Sean Jones, John Blake VS (1974-1984), Michael Blake (1974-1980), Joe Brogan (1984-99), Tony Marsh (1984-2013).

Hunt details

Chairman: Tom Nugent

Joint-Masters: Declan Durack and Pat Jones

Secretary: Kiki Novak MRCVS

Point-to-point secretary: Gerry English

Hunter trials secretary: David Jones

Huntsman: Mike O’Dwyer

Whippers-in: Patrick Nugent, Sadhbh McCrea and Sarah Walsh

Field Master: Gerry English

I HAVE had some of my most enjoyable days’ hunting west of the Shannon, both with the county pack and the East Clares, who are based around Scariff on that mighty river. They are one of the few dedicated drag packs in the country and they run a great show.

The East Clares were founded around 1974, when the county pack decided to divest the eastern side of the county to three exceptional sportsmen; Tony Marsh, John Blake MRCVS and Sean Jones. Of the three, Sean is the last man standing and is still well represented by nephews, Pat, who is master, and David, who was first whip up until this season, when he decided to stand down for a season due to back trouble. Another nephew, Shane, hunted the pack for almost 20 seasons and now hunts with the Blazers, while fourth brother Frisk is the very able whipper-in to the Scarteen.

Michael Blake, who hunted hounds as a teenager when the pack were founded, sadly was not out on the day, but is still very much involved. Up until recently, he was show jumping supremo chef d’equipe of Ireland’s international teams and, under his leadership, Ireland enjoyed unprecedented success.

Whitegate

The Half Barrel pub in Whitegate was our venue on Sunday. It is the village’s sole hostelry, but it’s a good one, run by Batt and Annette O’Riordan. More welcoming or attentive hosts would be hard to find. The village is located on Lough Derg on the Shannon, just south of Portumna, and their country runs the length of Lough Derg past Killaloe, almost reaching Limerick City.

The pub was bustling when we arrived, with lots of local families enjoying Sunday brunch and no small number of green coats and yellow waistcoats thrown in. The pub on the day was being run by Mary Burke, ably assisted by Sarah Minogue.

Master Declan Durack, who has been in office since 2000 through a very creditable 26 seasons, is now the senior member of the field, yet still crosses the country like a teenager. The junior member of the day must be young Logan Woods, out with his mother Claire.

https://foto.ifj.ie/fotoweb/archives/5006-Irish-Horse-World/Irish%20Horse%20World/2020/c5%20(3).jpg.info#c=%2Ffotoweb%2Farchives%2F5006-Irish-Horse-World%2F%3Fq%3Deast%2520clare

Declan Durack MH sails over the walls with the East Clare Harriersat Whitegate \ Catherine Power

Huntsman is Michael O’Dwyer from Birr, where he is involved in the meat trade. A fine and competent horseman, he has a way with hounds, and uses the horn sparingly and the whip not at all.

Whipping in on the day were Sadhbh McCrea and Sarah Walsh, whose dad Oliver of Flowerhill hunts the Roscommon Harriers. Regular whipper-in Patrick Nugent was absent due to horse problems. His dad Tom from nearby Tulla is hunt chairman and the family were well represented with Oliver, Roisin and Kiara all out and going well. Also flying was Abigail McGrath on a smashing coloured.

Apart from the huntsman, perhaps the two most important followers on the day were the drag layers, veterinary surgeon Kiki Novak and Mike Lyons, who live in Blazer country around Woodford but obviously know this part of Clare well. Theirs is possibly the most demanding role of the day, as they have to act as pathfinders and jump every fence first, but more importantly, they must know where they are going.

Kiki is a German national and studied veterinary medicine in her native country before moving to Ireland. Like the Normans, however, she has become more Irish than the Irish themselves and has lost all hint of her German accent. Gerry English, who was out the very first time I hunted in East Clare and is a former hunt secretary, was field master for the day. When not hunting, he is a refrigeration engineer in Limerick.

Five lines

On the day, five lines were laid and hounds appeared as keen as regular foxhounds giving excellent tongue. The first line was already being laid as hounds moved off from the village. After a short hack out the Scariff road to Meelick, hounds were laid on and spoke immediately. A smashing dash resulted, with walls being jumped at hurdle-race speed. Hounds ran parallel to the lake, ending in Michael Durack’s gorgeous dairy farm on the shores of Lough Derg, looking right across at Dromineer on the Tipperary side, where we recently hunted with the North Tipperarys.

There were super walls to be jumped on the farm, and going well were the brother and sister team of Aaron and Alison Collins from Scariff, the latter being a student nurse. Also flying first class was Tara Garret Cooney, whose mother Siobhan is a former field master and was out on foot, as she is concentrating on show jumping now.

Hounds ran on to Balliamona where the drag was lifted. Keeping us in touch all day was Catherine, Pat Jones’ better half, with children Shauna and Abigail.

The second line started in Clondia, where there was a brief stop while refreshments were served to both foot and mounted followers. This was organised by Helen Durack, wife of senior master Declan. Hounds then pressed on for their third line, from Beechpark running through Ballingough.

Their final line started at Gweeney, running on through Dromaan before finishing at Knockbrack. At this stage, the field must have jumped at least 50 walls and many of the horses had plenty done. The sweetest note of the day was sounded by our huntsman as he blew for home.

A good wash off in Lough Derg, and all were ready for a refuelling stop at the Half Barrel, which was up to the best Clare hospitality.