THERE can be few hotels that are so intrinsically linked to their owners or the world of the horse as The Dunraven Arms in Adare, Co Limerick. Once you enter that famed revolving door, you are struck by the quiet elegance and you won’t have gone too far before you will meet one of the Murphy brothers, Louis or Bryan and more latterly, Bryan’s son Hugh.

Bryan and Louis were born and brought up in Athenry, Co Galway, where their father PF (Paddy) was a veterinary surgeon and a keen hunting and racing man. He bred and produced many useful horses such as Orient War and Fredcoteri who went on to win the Sweeps Hurdle.