AS the reeds by Lough Erne sway in gathering winds and the abundant landscape changes to an autumnal hue, the Fermanagh Harriers, one of Ireland’s oldest hunts, is preparing to begin the 2020/21 season.

Hunting is a tradition which remains hugely supported within the local community. It is also a family-friendly equine activity which can still be enjoyed despite the current Covid-19 restrictions compromising so many of our country’s horse sport pursuits.

The Fermanagh, Monaghan and Cavan borderlands have felt the gallop of the Harriers’ hunt horses for over 300 years, established in the late 1600s by the Inniskilling Fusiliers; an army made up of inhabitants of Enniskillen, who took up arms in defence of their town, against the threat of occupation by the forces of James II.

Today, Patrick Murphy leads the hunt following in the footsteps of local hunting legend Billy Vance of Scarva House, Clones, who was Senior Hunts Master of the Harriers for over 50 years and who was still riding out at 84 before his sad passing in 2016.

“I joined the Fermanagh Harriers in the 1997/98 season through a late friend, local farrier Alex Presho, who passed away in the hunting season of 2015. Billy Vance then asked me into the Mastership in 2004, and I have been there ever since. Billy was a well-respected gentleman on and off the hunting scene, a natural horseman. He always said to me ‘Once you get the hunting bug, it is pretty much incurable!’”

Hounds

As well as his role as Master and Huntsman, Patrick trains and kennels the Harriers’ magnificent pack of hounds.

“We currently have 21 couple in our kennels, both dogs and bitches and they are a mixed pack of Modern and Old English hounds, with a few Welsh hounds in there as well. There are also seven and a half couple of younger hounds who will be entered into the full hunt next season. The hounds are currently fit and ready to go, with exercising having been done on bicycles over the summer, but is now done on horseback daily. We have a bond with the hounds just as much as we do with the horses.”

The Fermanagh Harriers have always worked symbiotically with the farmers of the border counties to run the hunt, and Patrick is keen to express gratitude to these farmers who have welcomed the pack across their lands for centuries:

“We hunt every Saturday across the fields of our large hunt map. On the Friday before a hunt, we walk the lands to check on the hedges, ditches and fences. Then we go on a Sunday or Monday after, to show our respect to the farmers, we check that the lands are as we found them and that nothing has been displaced or damaged. The farmers are the future of our hunting, without their goodwill on the land there would be no hunt – it is vitally important that they are respected and looked after.”

With up to 35 members of all ages riding out on Saturdays for up to four hours, the meets are a thriving and exhilarating day out, not just for the riders and the dogs but of course for the hunt horses who gallop and leap their way over miles of our most beautiful borderlands.

Community

Hunts are not just for hunter horses of course; many local showjumping or event horses and ponies get a spin with the Harriers to encourage bravery and fitness. Patrick himself has two mighty Irish Draughts with which he leads the hunt.

The first is a 17.3hh grey by Moylough Bouncer called Rocky and the second, Tom, is a 17hh chesnut by Carrick Diamond Lad. Both horses are strong of body with the stamina to match. Still, Patrick admits the secret to a successful hunt horse stems from its mind, “A good hunt horse needs the courage and ability to leave the rest of the field and go first.”

The Fermanagh Harriers are both a hunt and point-to-point organisation and the two traditions have always gone side by side. The Harriers’ traditionally stage an annual two-day point-to-point. With the current Covid-19 disruption however, they will have a one-day point-to-point instead to be held at Necarne Estate, Irvinestown on the September 26th. Much to the disappointment of many, this popular event will happen behind closed doors due to current restrictions.

Patrick believes the future of hunting to be very positive. With hunts being given the go-ahead in these difficult times, events such as the annual Boxing Day hunt in Enniskillen, with its traditional stop at the beautiful Dunbar House for festive refreshments, mean that these equine social gatherings become not only much-needed community time but are also fantastic celebrations of centuries of historic hunting tradition and of the goodwill of the hunt’s valued farmers and landowners.

“We have a dedicated Chairman and committee who are always working hard behind the scenes to ensure the best for the club. We have new members coming out every year, including the younger generation, which is great to see,” Patrick said.