History

Reputedly the oldest pack in Ireland, though neighbouring Duhallow might dispute this claim. They go right back to the Tonson-Rye family of Rye Court in 1742. The eggshell blue of their hunt collars reputedly relates to Eliza, John Tonson-Rye’s wife, who chose it as the colour of her favourite ballgown. A dyed in the wool hunting man, John expanded the country and hunted three days a week thereafter for 28 seasons. It has been worn with pride by members in the intervening 282 years.

Former masters

John Rye 1742-58, Mr James Penrose 1758-80, John Tonson-Rye 1780-97, Lord William Bentinck 1894-95, John Peacocke 1910-11, Jerry Rohan 1919-21, Capt AH Hornby 1921-40, Sir Geo Colthurst 1930-45, EN & JAC Mahoney 1945-76, T Noel Tanner 1993-, Mr Robert Harkin 2003 (still in office) 21 seasons and counting.

The Team

Chairman: Mr Brendan Browne

President: Mr Jim Willis

Master and huntsman: Mr Ken Grandon (2014)

Jt masters: Mr John Crean (2014), Mr Killian Lynch (2014), Mr Robert Harkin (2003).

Whippers-in: Mr Daniel O’Riordan

Field master: Donie O’Riordan

Honorary secretary: Donie O’Riordan

Meets: Wednesday and Saturday 11.30am

LISGOOLD, a more sporting village than Lisgoold it would be hard to find. Located on the road between Midleton and Rathcormack, the United Hunt Lisgoold point-to-point is scheduled to be held there on January 5th, 2025.

The sporting connection doesn’t end there, as Lisgoold is also the home of champion jockey, Paul Townend. He has been champion jockey six times. In 2019, he gave Willie Mullins his first Cheltenham Gold Cup winner with Al Boum and he repeated this success in 2020. He recorded his third and fourth win in the race on Galopin Des Champs in 2023 and again in 2024. This was the venue for a recent meet of the amalgamated Muskerry and United Foxhounds.

Over the last two seasons, the famed and historic Muskerry Foxhounds have gone through something of a renaissance. They have taken on a new identity following their amalgamation with their neighbouring foxhound pack, The United, which are based around the county town of Midleton in East Cork. The United, of somewhat more recent lineage, date back to 1871, when they were formed by Lord Shannon of Castlemartyr, who amalgamated two local packs to form the new entity.

The Muskerry are now kennelled in the United Hunt kennels near Dungourney and continue to be hunted by their master and amateur huntsman Ken Grandon, who has carried the horn now for 10 seasons and is as enthusiastic now as the day he drew his first cover. He is always well-mounted and turned out to ‘Meltonian’ standards. Despite being an amateur, he brings a quiet air of professionalism to his day hunting. He was out with his daughter Faye, a national teacher in a nearby school.

Likewise, senior master Robert Harkin, now in his 21st season and hunt secretary for several seasons before that, has steered his beloved hunt through many stormy waters. Like Grandon, Harkin had his daughter Sophia hunting with him. Sophia is the marketing director with one of Cork’s leading companies.

Robert, as always, was well-mounted on a new hunter he acquired last season from Patrick Kennedy, a stalwart of the gallant Tipps’ from Killenaule. Robert described it as the most hospitable purchase he ever made, as he was royally entertained by the Kennedy’s even after the cheque was written.

Family affair

They weren’t the only families in the field, hunt chairman Brendan Browne was out with his 13-year-old daughter, also named Faye, on her foot-perfect pony. Likewise, John Paul O’Callaghan from Macroom was out with Eabha, a veteran at 10. Not the only junior in the field, as we also had young Fia Cogan with dad John following on foot.

While joint master John Crean was missing on business, very much present was Killian Lynch from Macroom, a dedicated foxhunter, who is to be found mid-week visiting the leading southern packs.

The village boasts of but one pub, but it’s a good one, with a shop attached where you buy your copy of The Irish Field before you enjoy proper Lisgoold hospitality. The Muskerry sportsmen are firmly of the opinion that a good “sharpener” improves the enjoyment of the day and, so it was, before the saddling bell was sounded and jockeys mounted up.

It was not all Muskerry either. The United were represented by the old guard, led, of course, by the inimitable Dom Daly, long-time chairman of the hunt and one of Cork’s leading property auctioneers. Dom has been chairman since 1992, a record 32 seasons of service to hunt and still going strong.

Former whipper-in Ned Moran, who was in office right up to his mid-80s, was out, as was Mary Daunt, whose hunting with the United goes right back to the days of Commander Merry ‘67-‘69.

All the while, our huntsman had taken the hound transport a couple hundred yards from the village to allow hounds to relax before the meet proper. Sadly, such a luxury was not afforded him (or his hounds), as when he had barely dropped the ramp, Reynard appeared and, even before he had a chance to get into the plate, hounds were off on a screamer.

The music reverberated off the glen with the orchestra in full voice, but it was not to last. After a couple of goes up and down, our pilot found a welcoming shore and was given best. At long last, hounds returned to the village and, with the field in tow, hacked to their first draw proper in Johnny Barry’s farm.

Wooded glens

It is a feature of Co Cork to have large wooded glens with almost unlimited covert and this was no exception. It takes a diligent and hard-working pack of hounds to draw properly such a glen, but the Muskerry tick both boxes. The lead hound could be heard with just a whimper, but it soon became a crescendo, as the pack joined in and marvellous woodland hunting ensued.

It was a real hound-mans day with music to die for, as one could pick out the notes of the individual hounds, as they hunted their fox up and down the glen. It was the Royal Albert Hall at its best, but of course, it couldn’t last and eventually our pilot found a welcoming refuge and was given best.

We were indebted to dyed in the wool hunt enthusiast and former paramedic, Antony Buckley, who kept us in touch. Occasionally, even he had to defer to the superior knowledge of Dom Daly, who knows every blade of grass in the United country.

The next draw was at the old Leadington Estate, with its iconic piers reflecting a forgotten grandeur. Hounds found and hunted on towards Richard Rowan’s, whose family from time immemorial have been steeped in hunting and racing. However, it was around then that weather gods took a hand and those still on horseback were belted with incessant rain enough to dim the ardour of all but the most dedicated foxhunter. Eventually, better sense prevailed and our huntsman (very reluctantly) blew for home.

Fortunately, our host pub was able to accommodate dripping huntsmen, while they enjoyed a restorative drink before returning to home comforts.