MICHAEL Dempsey, former master and huntsman of the Galway Blazers for 40 seasons, celebrated his 95th birthday last week at the home of his son Tom who whipped-in to him for 10 seasons before taking over the horn from his father for another 20 seasons.

Tom’s wife Mairead, who with Tom has lovingly cared for Michael, is a domestic science teacher made a special birthday cake. His nieces – Rose, a former joint-master, Carmel and Joan – joined in the social distance celebrations.

One of the highlights of the occasion was a poem that Joan penned about Michael’s life from childhood autumn hunting in Moyode Wood with his idol Major Bowes Daly of Dunsandle House, his top horses Superman and Gavroche, to hunting all the County Galway packs - the Galway Blazers, Lady Molly O’Rourke’s Bermingham, North Galway Hounds and the East Galway. The poem was arranged to a musical background by Carmel who is a well-known Galway musician and performs at many of the social occasions.

Some other highlights were Michael out racing his good friend Tommy Brennan in one of the first Hunt Chases at the RDS and parading 22 and a half couple of the Blazers Hounds on two occasions in the Parade of Champions, settling them on the bank without assistance by just using his voice.

His hunting trips to the USA were not forgotten, hunting with his friend Melvin Poe, huntsman of the Orange County in Virginia and not being tempted to join all the spectators when Jackie Onassis had a fall as hounds were in full flight. Michael did not let Melvin out of his sight and they were there when the pack marked to ground. Leaving the last words to Joan, she said that her uncle Michael was an unrivalled huntsman and horseman of his era, and his name will go down in hunting folklore.

Happy Birthday master, from all of us that have been privileged to hunt and enjoy spectacular sport with you.