Padhraic Moynihan, huntsman of the Kildare Foxhounds, acknowledges the massive crowd who turned out to see them off in Dunlavin on St Stephen's Day \ Siobhan English Photography

John Hourigan (Scarteen hunt chairman) on his faithful horse takes the banks in his stride \ Catherine Power

The Island Foxhounds, led by huntsman Paul Scallan (on grey) and whipper-in Albert Whitehead head off from Blackwater last Saturday \ Siobhan English

Katie Staunton enjoying her day out with the North Galway Foxhounds in Belclare \ Maura Morrin

Billy Dalton North Galway Foxhounds crossing a stone wall out with the North Galway Foxhounds in Belclare \ Maura Morrin

Eimear Ryan jumps the big double bank in Scarteen \ Catherine Power

The East Galway Hunt had a Childrens meet on December 28th with great crowds following and appointed some of our junior members as hunt staff for the day. Left to right, whipper-in Katie Gibbons, field master Aleesha Doerflinger, Huntsman Eoghan McCabe, Deputy Huntsman Oisin McDonagh, whipper-in Alex Kenny, whipper-in Jane Duffy

Dave Hennessy (11), on his first day's hunting, sails over the hedge on his great pony \ Catherine Power

Conor Lyons at the Westmeath Harriers meet at Raharney \ Mark Wiseman

Aoibheann Donohue and Bueno at the Ballymacads meet at Crossdrum \ Mark Wiseman

Amy Ryan at the Ballymacad's meet at Crossdrum \ Mark Wiseman

A family affair - Enright siblings Dylan,Taylor and Dean (huntsman) with dad Philip at the Westmeath Harriers meet at Raharney on Sunday \ Mark Wiseman

Joint mater and huntsman of the Mr Kerrs Beagles, Grace Kerr, at the meet from Wilsons in Blessington \ Noel Mullins

Just minutes after taking a fall at a massive bank, Lucy Bailey was all smiles heading on to the next draw with the Island Foxhounds from Blackwater \ Siobhan English

Rachel Welham hunting with the Kildare Foxhounds from Grangecon on board the 10-year-old Irish Draught gelding Lismullen Silver Lad, by Fast Silver \ Siobhan English Photography

Mel Purcell with her family Georgina, Jonty, and Rory out with Scarteen \ Catherine Power