DUAGH may be familiar to those making their annual trip to the Listowel racing festival, as it is located roughly halfway between the west Limerick town of Abbeyfeale and Kerry’s premier racing venue, Listowel.

Jim’s Bar in the middle of the village was the place to be and, we had barely our noses inside the door, when we were inundated with offers of drinks and all kinds of refreshments. But that’s Kerry hospitality for you.

The Kerry committee are nothing if not innovative and it was a strictly over -30s day, with no juniors hunting. The day was thought out to introduce adults to the hunting field and to encourage retired riders back into the field for the day that was in it. By all accounts, they were more than happy with the results, with everyone thoroughly enjoying the day and requesting to make it an annual event. So, it looks like it will become a permanent fixture on the Kerry hunting calendar.

We were greeted by many familiar faces as we arrived, including Shannon O’Mahony, who works as a psychiatric nurse. Also one of the leading lights in the hunt is chairman and master, Michael O’Sullivan, who was out on his good heavyweight. His son Denis hunts the North Tipperary Foxhounds.

O’Sullivan senior is a lecturer in mechanical engineering and received his engraved hunt buttons at the recent hunt ball, in recognition of his 22 years of mastership. His grandson, young Liam Viall was on foot, as age rules for the day had stood him down. Also balloted out were huntsman David Trant’s daughters (and whippers-in) Eabha and Molly Trant. However, their mother Deirdre had decided to sit up and had a most enjoyable day and, more importantly, a clear round.

The day would not have been possible without area managers, Kevin Quilter and Tom Dillion, opening the country. Kevin owns and operates an insulation company and auctioneer Tom Dillion is normally seen spotting some sale properties while out on horseback.

Father and daughter Dr Joe Arthur and Suze O’Neill enjoying the day with the North Kerry Harriers \ Catherine Power

Regulars

Many other regulars, who were also stood down for the day, had generously surrendered their reliable mounts to give others the opportunity to return to the hunting field. The North Kerry Harriers are very much a community-based hunt and all caps on the day, along with donations from non-mounted followers, were donated to Killocrim Flood Relief Fund and Dromclough Astroturf Fund, two worthy local organisations.

Hunt secretary Shannon O’Mahony, riding side saddle, was on a very stylish grey. She really looked the part, complete with tall hat and immaculate riding habit. A psychiatric nurse now, in a former life she worked with elite show jumpers for Lady Georgina Forbes, who produced the great Castle Forbes Libertina. She and Jeremiah O’Connor run the very successful Dera Equestrian Centre between Asdee and the seaside resort of Ballybunion. Jeremiah, on a nice bay, gave a smashing pop down into the nearby river later in the day.

Spotted, eagerly watching the action, was Noel Stack, a field master who unfortunately is out of action due to a hunting injury, however Paddy Dee (Moonshine Lodge Equestrian Centre) was more than happy to take the mount. Noel, rather optimistically, is hoping to be back in action before the end of the season.

Tom Stokes O’Sullivan and Denis O’Sullivan, brothers, were out on the day - their father John laid the foundation stone to return hunting to Kerry in 1994, organising the first meet in Asdee. His children and grandchildren have kept up the tradition and remain on the hunt field to this day.

Mike Mangan, regular field master from Knocknagoshel, was joined by his daughter Katie, who also made a return to the field for the day after having taken up mothering duties in recent years. Mike’s children and grandchildren are regulars on the hunt field each week and hold strong hunting bloodlines.

After a long day hunting, only to be followed by a night of socialising in Duagh, the Mangan family made the trip to Dromahane point-to-point early the following morning for two family horses in the winner’s enclosure, with the winner A Pleasant Surprise and second placed Potters Voyage ridden by none other than Ross Sugrue, another representative of the Harriers.

The veterinary profession were represented by former star of the pony racing circuit and now specialist equine radiologist, Emma Fitzgerald. She is currently working as a teleradiologist and works remotely for the imaging department at the Royal Veterinary College, where she is involved in resident supervision and student teaching. The racing world was represented by Fiona Dowling, who works as a teacher in RACE, based in Kildare, where she mentors the racing stars of the future.

First draw

David Trant, who runs an extensive dairying operation outside Listowel, has now been hunting with the Harriers for over 10 seasons and kennels the hounds on his farm. Hunting 10 and a half couple, he went to his first draw just off the Abbeyfeale road at Foildarrig, along the bank of the river Feale.

Some nice jumping ensued, with the field being called on to jump into and ford a major tributary of the Feale. Hounds found and a fine dog fox was spotted slipping away by the eagle-eyed Jeremiah O’Connor and a nice dash ensued towards Springmount, over a really nice bit of country. Going well were local GP Dr Joe Arthur, who practices in nearby Abbeyfeale and his daughter Suze O’Neill, a specialist physiotherapist and joint field master for the day. Dr Joe, the veteran of the field, is in his mid-70s but crosses the country like a teenager. Giving it best at this stage and handing his horse over to a replacement jockey was Richie O’Donoghue of Asdee, who runs a very successful milking machine business.

Scent eventually petered out, however, Kerry hospitality is never far away and riders and their supports were refreshed just by the ancient graveyard of Springmount.

Hounds hunted on through Islandboy and Knockavallig, eventually finishing back at the village of Duagh. Horses put away, Jim’s Bar (O’Connor’s) was ready with all kinds of hospitality for tired and hungry hunters. Story-telling came from some noted Kerry seanchaís with Maurice Stack, the breeder of Captain Cee Bee and Moon Over Germany, even singing with enthusiasm! Time just seemed to stand still. That’s hunting in the Kingdom.

More pictures in our 'Picture Desk'