IN keeping with tradition, the Golden Vale Foxhounds’ opening meet was held in Templemore last Sunday. The Templemore Arms was our venue as jockeys and foot followers alike gathered for refreshments. Templemore has a rich and varied history but is perhaps best known as the home of the Garda Training College.

In its previous life, the training college was known as Richmond Barracks and was home to more than 2,000 German prisoners of war during the first World War, just over 100 years ago as I write. Templemore must be almost unique among county towns in that it can still host a meet in the very centre with all horses unboxed close by. But hunting is engrained in the DNA of Co Tipperary which has no less than six mounted packs hunting within its boundaries.