WHAT a role model the Bray Harriers are for hunting! One can only admire the way their joint-masters have such a deep appreciation of the privilege they get to ride across a farmer’s workplace. It certainly helps that the masters and the huntsman are all farmers themselves.

The Bray Harriers have been hunting the country for nearly four centuries, and I could not help noticing the air of comradery and enjoyment of the followers at the meet by Lil Doyle’s pub, which sadly, like so many other rural pubs, is now closed.