IT is always a pleasure to visit the opening meet of a newly appointed huntsman, as was the case when I visited the County Louth Foxhounds opening meet at the beautiful Lisrenny Estate, which is a real working estate of grass and tillage and well preserved fox coverts. It was new huntsman Lloyd Parr’s opening meet and his pack of Old English Foxhounds looked a picture on the front lawn, less than 100 yards from their kennels.

Lloyd’s family were there to support him, his wife Ann Marie and son Lloyd Jnr who has been helping his dad in the kennels since his appointment last May, as well as Daniel, Emma and Louise. His brother Tommy was also there to support whipping-in. Of course Lloyd has a wealth of experience whipping-in and hunting hounds. He was countryman for the Louth for seven seasons and was noted for his speed across country on foot. He went on to hunt the Oriels for a season then the Farney Harriers for four seasons, but undoubtedly the last six seasons that he whipped in under the watchful eye of South Tyrone huntsman Ryan Carvill a talented horseman and hound breeder, rounded off his hunting education. He also survived the challenge of crossing the South Tyrone countryside which is not for the fainthearted. Other South Tyrone supporters there on the day were Patrick Considine, Dympna Kiernan and Sean ‘Duckie’ Farrell.