Waterford Foxhounds Mothel

THE hunt was founded around 1840 by Lord Waterford who had previously hunted the Tipperary. For the first 50 years of their existence, they were known as the Curraghamore and were the private pack of Lord Waterford and kennelled at his estate Curraghamore near Portlaw.

Chairman: Richard Galvin

Joint-masters: Ian Shanahan, Johnny Kiely, Raymond Morrissey, Lord Waterford, Alan Morrissey

Hon Secretaries: Jerome and Ciara Fahey

Point-to-point secretary: Rosemary Shanahan

Huntsman: Niall Dunne

Whipper-in: Jim Kenny

THE search for Mothel and the Waterford meet was well worthwhile. There we found Mansfield’s as hospitable a pub as you could ask for. Despite our circuitous route, we were still in time to join hunt staff and others for a quick refreshment that set jockeys up for the rigours of the day ahead.

Sadly Curraghmore Whiskey, distilled and produced from local malting barley and water from the Clodagh river, was not available but I’m told it is the real ‘Uisce Beata’ (Water of Life). This is a new venture for Curraghmore and is being headed up by young Richard.

The Morrissey brothers, Raymond and Alan, were missing as they had been hunting the previous day with the Meath, but the other three joint-masters – Johnny Kiely, Lord Waterford and Ian Shanahan – were having a quick council of war with huntsman Niall Dunne. Ian, who runs an engineering business near Butlerstown, was out with his daughter Aoibhe, who was riding a nice coloured cob. She wasn’t the only young hunter on the day, as first time out was Laura Whelan from Carrick on a very smart dappled pony. Visiting from the UK were Ian Armitt and Julia who spend most of the winter in Ireland visiting various packs. Rosemary Driver was there though sadly on foot for the day.

Sticklers for time, on the dot of 11am, the pub was vacated only to find the cross was a hive of a activity with horses and hounds being unboxed, stocks tied, girths tightened and all that goes with preparing for a proper day’s hunting. Almost the first person we met was the always debonair Tim Corballis who, up to very recently, worked as the nominations manager at Coolmore Stud. Riding at jockey weighs, he is lucky enough to always be able to ride a blood horse. RDS stalwart Faith Ponsonby was out as were the couple that keep hunt affairs in order, Jerome Fahy and his wife Ciara, both from Portlaw, though Jerome is originally from Galway. They manage to juggle their time as parents with a young family, full-time jobs and still manage to hunt at least on weekends. Hunt chairman Richard Galvin, Portlaw, who runs an organic farm, was mounted and looked the part.

Huntsman Niall Dunne, now in his sixth season, previously saw service with the Limericks’ Graham Bustin who now hunts the Blue Ridge in Virginia. He has a strong hunting pedigree being a grand nephew of the legendary Larry Rowan of the Ward Union. Niall’s fiancée Kitty Shanahan was out. From Portlaw, she works as an equine osteopath and her services are much sought after over the south east. The happy couple are building a new house near Portlaw which, when finished, will overlook Curraghmore. They hope to get married during the summer and I’m sure all hunting readers will join me in wishing the young couple well.

Just to show Niall’s pedigree isn’t a fluke, his brother Shane acts as his amateur whipper-in. Shane drives down from his native Meath where he works in the motor trade to hunt with the Waterford. Jim Kenny, who learned his trade with the Mullinavat Harriers, is the very able and professional first whip. He comes from a family steeped in hunting and Niall and he make a strong team. A stickler for turnout, the brasswork on the couples hanging from his saddle were absolutely gleaming. Missing on farming duty was Richie Barron from Butlerstown.

Looking the part

So anxious was huntsman Niall to get going, that our photographer had difficulty in restraining all long enough for a least one shot. They really looked a picture, hunt staff and 14 and a half couple of as fine a pack of Old English as there is in these islands. Hound breeding is looked after by Ian Shanahan and Tyronie as Lord Waterford is known by in the hunting field. He missed most of last season as he was stood down due to a head injury. Happily he is fully back in action and is absolutely flying on a horse he got from his brother-in law David Thompson, former huntsman of the Laois.

First draw in an old disused quarry was blank. While this was going on, it gave an opportunity to catch up with the field and renew acquaintances. Visiting from Kilmoganny was their joint-master James Phelan, and a more dedicated foxhunter it would be hard to find.

It wasn’t too long before hounds spoke and they were away and giving great tongue for a really sharp dash towards the Lemmybrien road where Reynard was marked and given best. Our guides at this stage were former huntsman Maurice Flanagan while on his farm quad was James Carroll from nearby Clonea. A young progressive farmer, he has built up a dairy herd of close to 500 cows. His wife Jenny, a daughter of Johnny Kiely, only recently stepped down as hunt treasurer, a role she has passed on to Edmund Dick. Edmund, who is originally from Charleville, where back in the day his father was a very well-known coursing judge. He has extensive supermarket interests in the south east and should be well suited to the job of treasurer.

In the meantime, hounds hacked back towards an area known as the Ash Trees and while at first it looked unpromising, second season hound Actor (by Waterford Charter) soon had a fine dog fox afoot. Soon the pack were all on and a smashing hunt at racing pace ensued. Waterford is open country but with quite a bit of paddock fencing which hunt staff take in their stride. It is dry country with going almost always top of the ground but there is quite a bit of overhang and several riders, including Ian Shanahan, were showing the effect with loads of blood on their stocks. Equestrian vet Gillian King from Dungarvan was well up on the pace but was not called on to stitch up their wounds.

Hunting veterans

Hounds ran hard for Curraghmore but swung left-handed before the road and made a big circle before returning to the estate. The huntsman stopped hounds just short of Curraghmore as they will be hunting there again very shortly. Less than half the field were up with the action but certainly not found wanting were the Watsons, Gordon and Hazel. They are a veteran couple who claim to have 150 years’ experience between riders and horses. Gordon, a retired surgeon from WUH was highly regarded as a clinician. He started his hunting career with the Coolattin when they were hunted by Col Spicer. Hazel who is from Enniskerry would have hunted with the Wicklow and the Bray Harriers. Long may this valiant couple continue!

Another veteran well up was retired bank manager Michael Veale from Dunhill. He was on the peerless grey Isaac who never puts a foot wrong Also well up on the pace was young Laura Whelan who went home 10 feet tall.

Best day out

With many of the field having wisely retired to Mansfield’s or perhaps home, huntsman drew on to what is known as the hunt covert. This covert was one of many planted by the third marquis who founded the hunt and was killed nearby in a hunting accident.

Our guide at this stage was point-to-point secretary Rosemary Shanahan who has swopped her camera for a crutch as she is shortly going for a knee operation. Here we met local farmer and hunt enthusiast Ken Dempsey. Hounds found and ran for the village of Clonea. Fortunately he found refuge just beyond the village at Munboro Lane and was marked to ground. Were it not for that, they would have been hunting in pitch dark.

All in all, it made for an excellent day’s hunting and our best so far this season.