THE untimely and recent passing of Paul Kennedy of Cartown has left a void in the sporting community far beyond his native county of Limerick.

Born in 1955, he was the inheritor of a great sporting tradition, as his father George was master and huntsman of the local Stonehall Harriers for many years, while his mother Marge hunted side-saddle.

As well as hunting with the family pack, they would rarely have missed a day with the Co Limerick at their Wednesday country mid-week meets.

Brought up to the sound of morning stables and the cry of hounds in their summer kennels, it was natural that he would follow an equestrian career. While his brothers Jerome, John and James followed, and enjoyed, successful business careers, as the good book says Paul chose the better part.

Having finished his education in nearby Copeswood College, he competed in several triathlon events in Adare and elsewhere, fishing, shooting and show jumping with his brother James.

Between the flags, he rode a number of Cartown horses in local point-to-points and had very fond memories of his time spent riding out with PP Hogan and his daughter Sarah in Rathcannon.

Sporting family

Bye and bye, romance came his way and through eventing, he met his wife to be, Dr Jane English, from Churchtown in Duhallow country. The daughter of a very sporting local doctor, the family were steeped in horses and the professions in equal measure. Jane went on to be regarded as one of Limerick’s leading doctors.

But back in Cartown, it was horses all the way, what with eventing, jumping and, of course, hunting in the winter.

Lady Melissa Brooke, then master of the Co Limerick, invited Paul to join the mastership and act as field master in Wednesday country, a role he carried out with distinction for many seasons. A really stylish rider and always well-mounted on a Cartown-produced horse, Paul and Jane were the pair to follow when hounds really ran.

Paul and Jane were blessed with two sons, John and Paul Jnr. Good ponies were always on hand to nurture their talents and their love of all things equestrian.

Like their dad, they were the inheritors of a sterling sporting and equestrian tradition and they have used that inheritance wisely.

John is bloodstock and racing manager for Coolmore Australia, while Paul Jnr runs Cartown Sporthorses, based out of the UK and the family home farm back at Cartown.

In the intervening years, many top-class horses were produced by Cartown, but the one that catches the eye is the five-star show jumper Cartown Danger Mouse, whom he bred and campaigned with Paul Jnr in the saddle at 1.60m level.

She was a winner of the Bolesworth CSI4* Grand Prix, on Irish Nations Cup teams in Rome, Sopot, Lummen, Drammen, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, among others.

This stellar mare continues her breeding career at Cartown.

The last few years have seen Paul struggle with his illness, which was eventually to end his life. At his funeral mass in Pallaskenry, John and Paul Jnr spoke of the great care that their mother provided for Paul over the past few years, and about the powerful character that their father was and how dearly he will be missed by all those that knew him.

Hounds led the sombre cortege through the village and a minute’s silence was observed at the opening meet on Saturday at Bruff.

To his family – Jane, John and Paul, his three brothers - we offer our sympathy. His winning smile and infectious good humour will be missed far beyond his beloved Cartown by all who knew him.

DP