IT would be hard to find a more appropriate meet post-Christmas for the Limerick Harriers than the famous pub known as Kirby’s Hunting Lodge. Located roughly halfway between Limerick City and the small town of Bruff, it enjoys a large car park just off the main road where boxes can safely park. It has been in the Kirby family for generations and is now run by Donal Kirby and his mother Frances, and more welcoming hosts it would be hard to find.
To make the day even more attractive for your correspondents, it is almost within walking distance of home.
As we arrived, retired master Pat Birmingham was collecting cap and horses were being un-boxed and mounted while some riders were still fortifying themselves for what lay ahead. Never ones to hang around as the clock struck 11am, huntsman Padraic Behan (known to his friends as Paudge), now in his seventh season, was on his horse and ready to roll. The pack looked a picture, a credit to kennel huntsman Brian O’Leary, who also hunts the Fedamore Harriers on foot.
His whippers-in were no less on the ball with Dessie Lenihan, Jerry Murphy and Myles Harney looking very smart in John Peel green. Acting as visiting whipper-in was Mark O’Regan back from Australia where he turns hounds to Colin Dwyer, huntsman of the Oakland Hunt in Melbourne, generally recognised as Australia’s premier pack.
Impressive field
With almost 40 mounted, they made an impressive sight as they made the short hack to their first draw at Rockstown Castle. Of the masters, both Michael O’Mullane and Sean O’Donovan were both mounted and accompanied by family. Sean had his daughter Megan out on a smashing weight-carrying Irish Draught type which they are bringing on. Belying his youth, the grey was as cool as a breeze and was a foot-perfect jumper all day.
Meanwhile, the Mullane family were out in force with Michael’s brother Donal, who lives in the heart of Tipperary country, at Darcy’s cross, his daughter Sophie was out with their mother Linda, as always well turned out making up the team. Gary McCarthy had sportingly opted to stay on foot and do the fencing but his daughter Ide more than made up for his absence in the mounted field.
The master nearest to the meet, John McNamara, had opted for an observer role but his son Chris was showing the way on a really capable coloured mount and was area manager for the day. John’s daughter Danielle, who is married to whipper-in Dessie Lenihan, was as always immaculately turned out and has to be one of the most effective and stylish lady riders to be found. They run a top class hunting yard near Bruree. Fellow whipper-in Jerry Murphy was out with his two daughters, Caoimhe and Lorna, who has returned from a stint in one of the UK’s top eventing yards.
Hidden treasure
In ancient times, the castle was supposed to be the location of hidden treasure but on the day, its treasure was a fine dog fox who didn’t delay and after crossing the local road, set his mask for Skule Hill. After running right around the base of the hill, he went on towards Gortcarrol, noted for its big jumping. However, he found a welcoming shore where he took comfortable refuge and was given best.
Hounds hacked back to John and Audrey Hannon’s extensive farm. Audrey and family hunted for many years and were very involved in Limerick Pony Club but careers now meant there was no Hannon rider on the day but dad John was on hand to see hounds through. As well as a top class beef unit, the Hannons run the internationally famous Lisnalty dairy herd.
They have some smashing banks and locals and visitors alike got their first taste of really proper Limerick banks. While hunt staff were drawing a spinney, our huntsman took on a serious bank with a monumental drop.
Meanwhile, the field, led by area manager Chris McNamara, took on a really decent bank with a mini canal to the rear. He was closely followed by the Furnell family, Dominic and his sister Amelia from Crecora, who showed how it’s done. Dominic put up a creditable performance getting round the four-star Badminton Horse trials on his home- produced Ballycahane Flower Power in 2017.
Visitors from Duhallow, Fergus Feehan and Jane O’Flynn were celebrating their recent engagement with a hunting trip to Limerick. More visitors to have a clear round were Willie Crowe and Joe Turvey, both from the Scarteen.
Sean O’Donovan MH and his daughter Megan with Grange House in the background \ Catherine Power
Ruins
Hounds drew on jumping the big trench into McNamara’s and drew the conifer plantation which surprisingly was blank. However, their visit was not without adventure as Jane O’Flynn came away with a dirty coat after jumping a good stiff set of pallets. No such problems for one of Limerick’s leading accountants. Peter Keogh, who was not found wanting.
They drew across the road into Flavins and found almost straight away in the ruins of the great house, last lived in by the Miss Crokers.
Reynard took the field on a guided tour of the old estate, popping hedges and rails as they went. However, he returned to the ruins and took refuge on the ivy walls which are a mini fox covert in themselves.
As huntsman collected his hounds, it gave us an opportunity to catch up with many hunting friends, such as Terry Sloane whom we had hunted with only the previous week in west Waterford. Also on hand were father and daughter team Mike and Kate Clohessy who rarely miss a day. Mike runs one of Limerick’s most progressive dairy farms, complete with robotic milkers.
Hounds moved on and found again in Bulfin’s plantation with Reynard being viewed away by Myles Harney. They got a smashing spin across the corcise (water meadow) with drains wide and deep enough to swallow both horse and rider but happily, all jockeys had a clear round.
They marked him to ground in Tim Connolly’s plantation and he was given best to complete a successful year’s hunting for 2022.
While some made the hack back in fading light, the majority managed to hitch a lift to the Hunting Lodge where a warm welcome awaited.
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