IT was a day of firsts at the Ward Union Staghounds’ opening meet in Donore; it was Niall Dunne’s first day as the new huntsman and the hunt’s first time (that anybody can remember) meeting in Donore. And what an area, with spectacular views across the Boyne Valley and all the historic landmarks like The Hill of Tara and Newgrange Passage Grave, which is over 5,000 years old and predates the Pyramids of Egypt.

Not far from Newgrange, as the crow flies, lies Kells which has three Market Crosses that are National Monuments dating back over 1,000 years. On the base of one is a carved image of a stag hunt complete with deer and mounted followers. It is said that, during his Conquest of Ireland (1640-1649), Cromwell’s soldiers sharpened their bayonets and swords on the cross, and the marks can be clearly seen.