History

Founded around 1820, they were originally known as the “The Grove Foxhounds” from where they were hunted by William Barton of wine fame. They were then taken on by Henry Marquess of Waterford, who hunted them for several seasons from what is now Rockwell College. They really entered their golden era under the mastership of Evan Williams, who won the last peacetime Grand National on Royal Mail to be followed by Michael Higgins, who showed such marvellous sport for over 20 seasons.

The team

Chairman: Sean Brett

Honorary secretary: Ashling Fitzelle

Hunt treasurer: James O’Reilly BL

Huntsman: Gavin Shorten

Field master: Aidan Fogarty/ Nick Maher

Whipper-in: James O’Donnell

IT was a festive gathering on bank holiday Monday as the Tipperary Foxhounds met in Fethard, in the shadow of the historic town walls, which in their day were besieged by Cromwell in 1650. They are still the most complete town walls in Ireland.

In meeting in Fethard, the Tipps are honouring a long and noble tradition going back to Henry Marquis Of Waterford, who hacked on from Rockwell to have his first opening meet there around 1840 when the town walls were even more extensive than they are now.

In the meantime, Fethard has gained fame and fortune through the world of thoroughbred racehorses and the world-famous Coolmore and Ballydoyle, where Aidan O’Brien just keeps turning out group and classic winners. Aidan holds almost every record including, only last weekend, winning at the Breeders’ Cup in the USA and eclipsing the previous record set by Wayne Lucas. Such is his dominance that the only person likely to exceed his record is himself.

With almost 70 mounted, it was a sight to behold with horses, hounds and foot-followers gathered on the green hemmed in on one side by the famed town walls and, on the other side, by the Clashawley River. It was great to catch up with old friends, such as field master Aidan Fogarty, who at this stage must know every blade of grass in Co Tipperary.

Hard-working hunt secretary Ashling Fitzelle, who works in financial services, was out with her partner Jamie Heffernan, son of champion flat jockey Seamie, who just keeps churning out winners, making him the Peter Pan of the jockey room. But of course, Jamie has a blacktype pedigree as his mum Tanya was one of the best cross-country riders in the country, far beyond the geographical limits of North Kilkenny. Likewise, out was Vice Chairman Nick Maher, one of Tipperary’s leading figures in the property world.

Equine haven

Appropriately, this all happened just at the back entrance of McCarthy’s Bar - possibly the most equestrian bar in the world. Patron Jasper is a grandson of one Dick McCarthy, a professional jockey back in the day, who rode Savernake to win the 1930 Grand National and who founded McCarthy’s bar. In the absence of Jasper, hospitality duties were ably handled by Jane Farrell, who liberally dispensed hot ports to all and sundry without distinction between foot and mounted.

Huntsman Gavin Shorten, now in his 14th season in Fethard, certainly arrived in good time. On the day, he was hunting 14 and a half couple bred on modern lines. The Tipps are now a two-day pack, but it isn’t that long since they hunted a four-day week, with 70 couple in kennels. Gavin started his hunting career in West Limerick, where his dad farms.

Alan Murphy crossing the country at the opening meet of the Tipperary Foxhounds \ Catherine Power

Turning hounds to him was James O’Donnell riding a coloured who, like his jockey, had plenty of experience under his belt having learned his trade with Hugh Robards in Limerick. He farms quite near Coolmore and acts as whipper-in on a part-time basis.

Almost the first people we met were former and current hunt treasurers, Peter Reilly and his son James. Both father and son are practising solicitors and are looked on as the premier county’s leading jurists and, while James was riding, Peter was holding a watching brief.

All too soon Gavin, with a short note on the horn, declared the season open and hounds made the short hack through town by the hall, now a fine museum, and on towards the North Gate, where hounds paused briefly under the arch for a photocall.

Closely following hunt staff and hounds were the Ronan family. Like the Ryans of Scarteen, the Ronans have played a key role in the Tipps since the era of Evan Williams. The family group were led by Paul and his cousin Jack, both former masters (1996-2002). In addition, Paul was accompanied by daughters Kim and Jenny, not to mention his sister Dot (Clowes) now living in Leicestershire. To complete the family group on foot were Paul’s other sister Pam Magnier and his mother Dorothy, whose husband Tom had been master ’91 to ’96.

Warm welcome

Hounds then hacked on to their first draw beside the Clashawley near Rocklow as hounds drew former NH jockey Leighton Aspell, who hollaed the fox away. He is now retired, but best known for winning both the 2014 and 2015 Grand National riding Pineau de Re and Many Clouds. On the day, he was accompanied by daughters Niamh, Lucy and Kitty.

Hounds then ran through Rocklow and Ann’s Gift right as far as the Cashel road where scent petered out. Gavin then brought his hounds back to draw John Halley’s. John only recently stepped down as master of the Co Limerick. He runs Fethard Veterinary Hospital, which is probably the most advanced equine veterinary hospital in these islands. Sadly, racing duties prevented any Halley from being out, but of course a warm welcome for the hunt is always assured.

Hounds spoke almost immediately and ran to the quarry but he found a welcoming shore and was left. In Halley’s, the field had some nice wall jumping where former master Alan Murphy gave a smashing display, as did West Waterford visitors Philip Desmond and Treey Sloane. Family groups there were aplenty and not found wanting were Deirdre Blackwell and her children. Giving a great display over Halley’s wall was hunt stalwart PJ Burke from Clooney.

Hounds then drew on through McGarry’s farm, which held a brace and a half. Our huntsman managed to settle hounds on his chosen quarry, which had been spotted slipping away by Nick Seale. He ran through O’Regan’s and ran for Power’s wood. He was marked to ground just on the edge of Ann’s Gift.

With the field somewhat reduced, Gavin drew on in Houlihan’s, where they found a fine dog fox. He set his mask for Fethard and ran at speed with scent improving as they ran. It was a sharp thing resulting in plenty of empty saddles. However, he was marked to ground on the edge of Fethard.

Little remained of the day, but a quick pit stop in McCarthy’s or, for the more abstemious, a leisurely break at Sadlers Bistro which is part of the Coolmore empire, where we met Michael McMahon SC and his partner Imelda O’Donnell who now live nearby. It was a great post-hunt gathering including Jack Ronan from Orchardstown and Mona Croome-Carroll with Clare Ryan of New Inn.