EVERYONE calls me Balfy down here.” Balfy is James Balfe, originally from Claremorris and now settled ‘down here’, which happens to be Scone in New South Wales, Australia.

James was one of many hospitable Aussies who got in touch during the bucket list trip and although our paths didn’t cross during a whirlwind visit to Australia’s horse capital, it’s another small world moment. Garbally College, across the fields at home in Ballinasloe, is where both he and The Irish Field hunting correspondent Noel Mullins were boarders at.