THE setting for the Louth Foxhounds meet was the historic 17th century Beaulieu House and Gardens on the outskirts of Drogheda in Co Louth with its period paintings and Baroque carvings. It was hosted by the owner, Cara Konig, a former actress, designer and model for Pretty Polly Tights. She herself is an enthusiastic hunt follower and was on horseback on the day.

No effort was spared and the range of refreshments reflected the extremely high standard that Cara sets for her stately home which is available for private parties, and corporate events. Livery is also available in the courtyard. Many will have seen the Francis Brennan At Your Service RTE television programme when he and his brother John visited Beaulieu. As Cara, who is the 12th generation of the family to own the property in the last 800 years, keeps such a high standard of maintenance of the house and estate, the Brennans came to the conclusion that the house and estate does not need change, only marketing. However, the costs of supporting such a house are substantial, so planning permission has been applied for a solar farm hidden away out of sight on the estate which would go a long way to underpinning the future of Beaulieu for the next generation.