A VERY large following of the Fingal Harriers met at the home of the late former master Larry McGuinness’ home in Lougshinney, courtesy of his daughter Nuala, her husband Chris and daughter Polly.

It was a nostalgic occasion as the yard holds a lot of equestrian history as Larry foaled and broke Greasepaint, runner-up twice in 1983 under Colin Magnier and 1984, ridden by Tommy Carmody, in the Aintree Grand National. He also schooled another Aintree runner in Spittin Image, ridden by the famous Bob Champion before he embarked for Liverpool.

Many top-class hunters were produced in Larry’s yard, and he hosted an annual hunter trials on his farm in Walshestown and a two-day horse show on his Carnhill farm. Both Nuala and her sister Emer hunted, and Nuala’s husband Chris was a regular in the hunting field with both the Ward Union and the Fingal Harriers.

However, the occasion also saw the coming together of many former and past masters and whippers-in with former senior master Joe Duff, who served as master with Larry from 1974-91. He was driven to the meet by his nephew Brian Duff, the proprietor of Broadmeadow Equestrian Centre, Bullstown, near Ashbourne, Co Meath.

As well as being probably two of the most popular masters in recent years as every day was a fun day, they were also both exceptional horsemen, winning numerous point-to-points.

Joe owned a dual-purpose hunter, the chesnut Kilgarvin, that he led the field on for 12 seasons as well as the horse winning a number of point-to-points each year.

Hounds and hunt staff posed at Lizzies’ Cottage and understandably were delayed moving off as hilarious stories were recounted and indeed embellished of hunting in former years!