History

The hunt dates from 1745, founded by the Becher family (of Becher’s Brook fame), and it has hunted continuously to this date. Along with the neighbouring Muskerry, it is the oldest recognised pack of foxhounds in Ireland.

Meets: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11am

Hunt officers

Chairman: Patrick Coleman

Joint masters: Matt Nagle, Pat Hayes, Joe de Courcey

Joint secretaries: Col Pat Coleman and David O’Meara

Huntsman: Jamie Byrne

Whipper-in: Kevin O’Meara, Peter Kiely, Michael Healy and Finbar O’Mahony (all amateur)

Field master: Roger Kiely

Treasurer: Dr Fiona O’Meara

Country hunted: North Cork, 30 miles North to South and 50 miles East to West (from the Atlantic to Fermoy)

Some former masters

Henry Wrixon of Ballygiblin 1745, Sir William Wrixon-Becher 1822, Vicount Doneraile 1854-63, Lady Dill 1958-62, Capt MJA Hornsbey 1932-63, Harry Freeman-Jackson 1950-69, Noel C Duggan 1975-77, Mrs RG Nelson 1969-86, Dan Coleman 1986-93, David Nagle 1991-2002

BY general agreement, last Monday appears to have been declared a hunting bank holiday in the Barony of Duhallow. But then, hunting has always been taken very seriously in that very special part of the rebel county.

Duhallow have a long and distinguished history, having thrown up such sporting greats as Capt Becher, who lent his name to the famous brook, Vincent O’Brien, Johnjo O’Neill and event rider Austin O’Connor to mention but a few. There has been something of a changing of the guard since last season, with the retirement of joint masters Kate Jarvey (2002), who had been the rock on which so much that is good in Duhallow has been built.

Also on the retirement list was Pat Fleming, chairman and so much more of the hunt since 1996. Another joint master to stand down was Liz Ahearne, but who is still hunting and a key member of the field on our day in Kanturk.

The meet on the day was at Kanturk GAA, which is on the Mallow side of town. Like many Duhallow meets, it boasts neither shop nor pub, but that didn’t in any way dim the Duhallow hunting enthusiasm.

Jamie Byrne has now carried the horn for three seasons and, despite his Limerick origins, is almost accepted as an honorary Corkman. Having formerly turned hounds to Fergus Stokes in Limerick, he is now well-established in his adoptive Duhallow. His field master is the very experienced Roger Kiely, who has produced more top-class hunters and event horses than would fill the fair of Cahiramee.

Since last season, young Peter Kiely (17) has signed up as a whipper-in. Despite his youth, he brings years of experience in the hunting field. In addition, this young jockey is making a name for himself in the point-to-point field, with two rides already to his credit. With his young brother David (16) waiting in the wings, the family involvement is ongoing.

Roger has big boots to fill, as he has been passed the baton by Maurice Coleman, who led the Duhallow field with dash and distinction since he was appointed to the role as a young man by then master Harry Freeman-Jackson. Baileys hunting directory lists him as having taken up office in 1981. I’m sure all hunting enthusiasts will join with me in wishing Maurice a speedy and full recovery from his recent surgery.

The Coleman pedigree has a very good page indeed. Patrick Coleman, son of the late Dan Coleman and nephew of Maurice, is current hunt chairman and was hunting on the day on another “special” Coleman horse. Patrick has the distinction of breaking Hedgehunter, who won the 2005 Grand National (7/1F) for his owner, the late Trevor Hemmings.

Joe de Courcy MFH Duhallow Foxhounds with his guests Mick Philips MFH (VWH) and Ben Backhouse at Kanturk \ Catherine Power

Excited visitors

The rest of the whippers-in are officially all amateur, but are more professional than most. The team are led by Mallow solicitor and Duhallow stalwart Kevin O’Meara, whose brother David has been hunt secretary since 1989. Making up the panel are Michael Healy, a farmer from Ballyclough, and Finbar O’Mahony, a nurse from Deranagree.

Two of the three joint masters were hunting, Pat Hayes from New Twopot House near Mallow. A real keen hunting man, up until recently he held the dual mandate as he was also master of the Iveagh in Co Down. Between it all, he finds time to be the incoming chairman of the The Irish Masters of Foxhounds’ Association. It is a challenging role in these times, but I have no doubt he will be there to steer foxhunting through every problem they may encounter during his term of office. He had three New Zealand guests hunting - Don Loomes, South Canterbury Hunt president, Tony Parish, East Southland Hunt Huntsman and Rachel Vogan of the Christchurch and South Canterbury hunt.

It was a completely new hunting experience and Rachel Vogan recalled “none of us had ever jumped ditches or banks. They were certainly an eye-opener, but the horses are like cats, leaping from one bank to another”.

The second joint master, Joe De Courcey, a former master of the VWH, but now based here in Co Cork, was also out with a couple of guests from the VWH, Michael Philips MFH and Ben Backhouse and all had a clear round.

Duhallow is very much a family hunt and the Roches from Tullylease were well-represented with mother and son duo, Brenda and Ciaran, on two foot-perfect cobs. Dad Joe was car following, as he is recovering from surgery, but is to be back in action after Christmas.

Moving on

Duhallow hunt a long day and move-off never lingers long after meet time of 11am. So it was at 11.11am, with hounds enlarged, our huntsman with a short note on the horn moved off to the first draw nearby at Kilroe cemetery. Drawing on, he took his hounds on to Dermot Riordan’s, where they jumped a really decent bank into Joe Boles’ who, in addition to a large livestock enterprise, also runs a substantial chicken hatchery.

This bank would not have been found wanting in the famed Athlacca ride, but giving a great display was the veteran Eamonn Grainger, whom we last met as field master of the Muskerry. One who gave a spectacular if unconventional performance was former master, Liz Ahearne, on her good bay.

Hounds crossed the road to draw Con O’Keeffe’s large plantation, which held and the Duhallow Orchestra were in full voice, as they hunted up and down the substantial woodland. They hunted on through the old creamery farm and through Gurteenard Stud, which produced so many good horses when owned by the late veterinary surgeon, Liam Hutch. Still in good hands, it is now owned by Tony O’Keeffe. They hunted on through Hurner’s Wood before marking to ground near Philpotts’.

Going well throughout on two smart youngster were Orna Casey and her partner Jason Ring. Not found wanting was Mick Falvey, whose dad was a former Duhallow huntsman. Duhallow are known to have the most knowledgeable foot-followers and it was they that kept us in touch all day.

There probably isn’t a blade of grass in Duhallow that Pat Ahearne (father of Liz), Joe Roche and Helen Dunlea don’t know about. We also had Brendan Murphy as one of our expert guides, who farms extensively near Monymusk, as well as running a very successful bloodstock enterprise. With shadows lengthening, hounds drew Gene O’Sullivan’s plantation and found on the spot. A really decent hunt resulted over some smashing country, running in a big left-handed circle through Cotters before finishing back in Hurner’s Wood, where again Reynard found a welcoming shore.

As hounds hacked back to the meet, the evening had really drawn in and it was almost dark as they boxed up.

Hounds had been out for five-and-a-half hours and had covered an enormous amount of country, much of it at speed. They take their hunting seriously in Duhallow.

Catherine and I would like to wish all our hunting friends and Irish Field readers a very happy hunting Christmas.