TRIBUTES poured in from the hunting and racing world following the sudden passing of the Tynan and Armagh Hunt’s popular senior joint-master Brian Dougan.
A practicing solicitor, he was known as a gentleman, kind, good-natured, strong willed, with strength of character, a deep interest in music, travel, architecture and a farmer with a keen interest in rearing Shorthorn cattle. He filled many roles: master, chairman, hunter trials’ secretary and point-to-point secretary.
A statement from the club read, “Under Brian’s guidance, the club has not just sustained but thrived. His knowledge, support and enthusiasm will not only be missed by the masters and members but by the hunting fraternity as a whole.”
Brian captivated you with that beaming welcoming smile, matched by his deep interest in everybody, full of sincerity and curiosity. Having met him last January at their meet in Richhill near Armagh, I could also describe Brian as the traditional hunt follower of old where hunting and pointing went hand in hand, and where members looked forward to qualifying their horses for the point-to-point season on the hunting field, a sport he had a special interest in.
Four joint-masters of the Tynan and Armagh Hunt, Andrew Phillips, Roy McCall, Brian Dougan and Wilson Faloon pictured at their meet from Richhill \ Noel Mullins
Hunting
Brian had a lifelong association with the Tynan and Armagh Foxhounds, joining the hunt club in 1967, and appointed a joint-master in 1980, latterly becoming the senior master. A man of many roles, he was also chairman of the hunt, the point-to-point secretary and the hunter trials’ secretary. He was proud of many milestones but one in particular was that he hunted 55 consecutive Boxing Day meets which he described as his favourite day of the year.
The story of the ‘blue rope’ related to a rope he carried in his pocket which he used to rescue a faller in ditches or children who needed the reassurance of a lead.
He saw hunting as an integral part of the fabric of the community, embracing all ages and was an able defender of the sport at every opportunity. He made his position very clear when an MLA of the Alliance Party put forward a Private Members Bill in 2021 to ban the sport. Brian stating at the time that any Bill to ban hunting would be vigorously defended.
One of his favourite hunters was Bugsy which he hunted for probably 15 seasons and also competed in the team chase at the Dublin Horse Show. His current hunter was Silvio, a smashing but very lively grey that he rode the day of the Richill meet.
Point-to-Points
Brian was a true Corinthian in the traditional sense, hunting all season and then preparing himself and his horses for the point-to-point season, but then his father George had also ridden in point-to-points.
One could immediately see his immense enthusiasm for point-to-pointing when he started discussing the sport, particularly riding against the likes of Ian Buchanan, Brian Hamilton and Billy Vance. The hunt course in Farmacaffley that has hosted their annual point-to-points since 1895 was a very special place for him, and the reputation it had among the racing community where many winners went on to appear at major races here and across the Irish Sea.
He was delighted that he added a four-year-old race over two and a half miles this year to the race programme. But he got a great laugh when describing some of his point-to-pointers like Spuds Trouble, Accordingtojohnny, Dernamaye and Russell Lodge. The latter he said should have been named ‘The Bookies Favourite’, as the horse ran 36 times and only won once!
Armagh Show
There were tributes also from Armagh Show as Brian was an active committee member for many years, expressing their deep sadness at Brian’s passing, stating that he was a loyal and hardworking member of the committee and organised the hound show every year. Tributes also followed from the Lurgan Show committee.
Music
Brian had a deep interest in music and played the tenor horn in the Old Boys Silver Band in Armagh of which he was a lifelong member. But he also played the organ for many year in his local church, the Tassagh Presbyterian Church, also in Armagh, which was established in 1771.
Travel
One of Brian’s great interests was travel, especially to explore his deep interest in architecture. This took him to places all over Western Europe, especially Italy and many countries in Eastern Europe.
Brian will be sadly missed by his entire family, members of the Tynan and Armagh Foxhounds and a large circle of friends. A funeral service was held in Monday, May 8th in the Tassagh Presbyterian Church in Armagh and burial took place in the adjoining cemetery. May he rest in peace.
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