WHAT better way could anyone see in the new year than a day spent hunting with the Co Clares and with the meet being in Bunratty, it just put the icing on the cake. It has become a tradition for the hunt to meet in the shadow of Bunratty’s historic castle on New Year’s Day and it appears that most of Clare turns up for the occasion.

The card listed move off at 12.30pm but sportsmen had assembled well in advance to enjoy the hospitality of Bunratty Manor Hotel, certainly the most sporting and welcoming of the many hostelries with which Bunratty abounds. Owned by Noel Wallace, this hotel oozes a sporting welcome and one only has to go and look at the picture gallery to realise you are among friends. Sadly our host was not present as he was in hospital but making a good recovery. It must rank as one of the great sporting hotels in Ireland up there with such luminaries as The Dunraven Arms.