WE have been hunting with the Co Clare hunt for over 30 seasons, well before our association with The Irish Field, and have never had a bad day. There is always a pent-up excitement once you cross the Shannon from the placid plains of Limerick to the challenge of the rocky walls of Clare. Added to that, the Clare welcome makes it always a very special day in our calendar and we were very glad to be invited to their opening meet last Sunday in Tulla. As we passed the cross of Spancil Hill, we knew we were in the heart of Co Clare and recalled the words of the song:

“The young, the old, the brave and the bold came, their duty to fulfill