WITH the season winding down, we returned to the ‘dashing’ Duhallow for their final meet at Monymusk Stud, the home of senior master Kate Jarvey, near Kanturk deep in the heart of the barony of Duhallow. It is said that this is a unique nursery for jockeys, horsemen and horses alike. Just taking Monymusk alone, it has produced three Grand National winners in recent years when owned by the late Trevor Hemmings. It reads like a racing ‘who’s who’ with Hedgehunter in 2005, Ballabriggs four years later and Many Clouds completing the hat-trick in 2015, surely a record never to be equalled.

The stud has continued its winning ways under its current owner, Mrs Kate Jarvey, who bred last year’s winner of the Maryland five-star event, Colorado Blue, ridden by Duhallow’s own and Irish Horse World Event Rider of the Year, Austin O’Connor (see pages 90-93).

While there were refreshments covering all tastes, available from a large barn manned by Kate and a bevy of helpers, most were anxious not to miss one treasured moment hunting with huntsman Jamie Byrne and his iconic pack of Old English foxhounds, up with the best to be found in these islands.

Every square foot of parking was accounted for, with a wide variety of boxes, but they all had one thing in common, they had hunting in their Duhallow blood.

Visitors, we had more than a few, with an English group from the West Norfolk, which is reputed to be England’s oldest hunt, dating back to 1540, when Henry VIII was still on the throne.

The group included no less than three Joint-Masters, with Rosie Van Cutsem, an Irish hunting regular since her days in Trinity College, as pathfinder, with the inimitable Aidan ‘Suntan’ O‘Connell acting as chaperone and non-riding captain.

Ready for off

With a sea of country at his disposal arranged by area managers Roger Kiely and Brendan Murphy, who farms extensively in the area, Jamie was more than anxious to be off.

Photos were taken with joint-masters Liz Ahearne, Matt Nagle and Pat Hayes, who were all out. Matt, a man of uncertain years who obviously has no thoughts of retirement, was trying a new horse and came away with a happy clear round, but a somewhat bloodied face after an altercation with a nasty Duhallow bush.

There were two further visiting masters, but both Duhallow regulars, Killian Lynch from the neighbouring Muskerry and, from the Iveagh in far flung Co Down, Alexander Mills – one of Ireland’s largest farm machinery dealers.

On foot were retired Duhallow Chairman Pat Fleming and his wife, Eleanor, a stalwart of Charleville Show. Pat was the guiding light that saw ship Duhallow through many stormy seas and into calm waters. His services to the Duhallow can never be fully appreciated. His role has now been taken over by Patrick Coleman, who is out of action from a hunting accident. Another former master, Maurice O’Connor, was also on hand to see hounds off. Another former master on his good grey was auctioneer Peter O’Meara who, like whipper-in Kevin, comes from a blacktype Duhallow family.

Pat Hayes MFH, Kevin O’Meara whip, Matt Nagle MFH, Jamie Byrnes huntsman, Liz Ahearne MFH and Peter Kiely whip move off from Monymusk to the first draw \ Catherine Power

Family-friendly

Duhallow is above all a family-friendly hunt, with four members of the Palmer family out – dad and mum, Alan and Elaine, with Katie (15) and Aaron (12).

Likewise, the Roche family from Tullylease, Joe and Brenda with children Clodagh and young Kieran. Rachel Morton from Freemount, who is still in transition year, has 27 days done this season on her foot-perfect cob, Hazel.

Jamie on his good grey (formerly hunted by Mrs Jarvey) and his 12 and a half couple of Old English and a field of 60 (every one a Duhallow thruster) made the short hack to the former training grounds of Michael Winters, which is now part of Monymusk and will soon host a state of the art riding centre for the disabled. It would be up and running long ago were it not for planning difficulties, which took a couple of years to resolve.

But the grey – how good is he? Jamie was in full flight “as good as ever I rode, gates, railings, rivers they’re all the same to him, he looks after you and just takes them in his stride.”

These lands run down to the Allow River and have never failed to hold. Hounds had barely touched down when they spoke and ran back across the road to Monymusk and on into Collins’ and Hourigan's. They ran the screen before crossing into Brendan Murphy’s very extensive stubble. At this stage, we were being kept in touch by Helen Dunlea.

They met a really decent Duhallow double and giving a great display was young Peter Kiely, amateur whipper-in and son of field master Roger. The other whips on the day and every day were Kevin O’Meara, Mick Healy and Finbar O’Mahony, who works in A&E, a useful addition to any day’s hunting.

Hounds flying

Hounds were absolutely flying, but leading then (and all day) was the aptly named Champion, a first season hound by Lawyer. All the while, our landowner Brendan Murphy, who also runs a thoroughbred breeding operation, was flying on his good bay and obviously enjoying every moment of it.

Another giving a copybook performance jumping right from the top was Joint Master Liz Ahearne. Jamie’s girlfriend Nikita Kane, who is a work rider with the Charles Byrnes stable, was also going well.

The visitors coming from the flattest county in England acquitted themselves well, but joint-master Robert Gurney, a keen hound man who was accorded the privilege of riding up with the hunt staff, got absolutely buried and came back with a small farm on his hunt coat.

They hunted on through Collins’ and into Daly’s very extensive farm. Here, they checked and when it appeared all was lost, Tribesman and Albany literally stood on their hind legs before bursting into a serious thicket and out the other side popped Reynard.

The hounds ran back through Hayes’ and through Monymusk before marking near a disused building in Hourigan’s. A great end to a red letter day and the season. A short hack back to Monymusk for more refreshments, which this time could be taken at leisure.

But the last word must go to our English visitor from the Norfolk Fens, Rosie Van Cutsem, who summed it up: “There is something so special about the spirit and pluck of hunting in Duhallow. The horses are quite simply geniuses to get through what they do, inspiring complete trust in their ability to miraculously preserve life and limb, the thrill is jumping things you never thought possible!” And so say all of us!