HIS many friends and the sporting community are stunned by the sudden and untimely death on Thursday evening of Ivan McDonagh of Bansha House, Askeaton.

Only last weekend, Ivan had very successfully run the show jumping section of last weekend’s Limerick Show, as reported in this week’s issue (see pages 81 and 92).

At the recent Dublin Horse Show, he served as a member of the National Appeals Committee. One of nature’s gentlemen, Ivan was respected and loved by all who knew him.

While he was a lifelong show jumping enthusiast and course designer, perhaps hunting was his first love. The Stonehall Harriers are kennelled on his farm and Ivan has been master of the family pack for most of his life.

Ivan was also master and chairman of the nearby Co Limerick Foxhounds for several seasons. He hunted on his trusty grey right up to the Covid lockdown.

To his family we offer our sincere sympathies.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced. A fuller obituary of Ivan’s life will be published in a forthcoming issue of The Irish Field. May he rest in peace.