Ormond Foxhounds, Ballingarry

SATURDAY, March 1st was always going to be a very special day. Two years ago, when the future of the famed and historic Ormond Foxhounds looked bleak on the retirement of their huntsman, a white knight stepped forth and agreed to take the mastership and hunt hounds as an amateur for two seasons, until the hunt could get back on its feet.

Of course, the white knight could only be Oliver Ryan-Purcell who lives in nearby Cloughjordan, which fortuitously is also where hounds are kennelled. A man of uncertain years, he has hunting engrained in his DNA. He and Dorothy, his better half, took over both the kennels and the hounds and have shown great sport for the last two seasons.

Oliver was brought up in Churchtown, Co Cork, almost directly opposite Vincent O’Brien’s original home at Clashganiffe. Here, growing up, Oliver as a lad had a private pack of harriers. Having qualified as a solicitor, he went on to hunt with the North Tipps for six seasons, finding time to also hunt the Scarteens for a season, when his cousin Chris Ryan was having a well-deserved sabbatical. His wife Dorothy, who comes from nearby Nenagh, is equally dedicated and took hounds and kennels under her wing for the last two seasons.

Lawn meet

The Ormond are nothing if not traditional. Our hosts for the day were the Kenny family, who held a lawn meet at their Fairymount Farm near Ballingarry on the Tipperary/Offaly border.

The family have always been involved and hunt history records the family involvement since Adam was a boy or at least since his great uncle David in 1895 contributed 25 Sovereigns, so that the hunt could continue.

From father to son, the family connection has remained and John has been chairman since 1999. Sadly, he no longer sits up, however, the family were more than suitably represented, with his son Graham on a very smart bay, acting as field master. His son, Scott, was well-mounted and beautifully turned out. Scott (18) is an all-round sportsman and captained the Irish under 17 hockey team to victory.

He and his sisters are all students in King’s Hospital School, which counts among its old boys former Taoiseach Dr Leo Varadkar and Fairyhouse manager Peter Roe. From Laois and returning to her roots was Mary Blundell, who grew up in Fairymount and her travelling companion Billy Lanigan, racehorse trainer, as always, at his sartorial best.

Meanwhile, hospitality was being dispensed by hunt secretary, Jessica Cahalane, Linda Kenny and Graham’s wife Sandy, who is a very distinguished artist. The Cahalane’s have been generational supporters of the hunt and host the very successful two-day point-to-point on their extensive farm just outside the village.

The Cahalanes owned the very successful Gordon Lord Byron, trained locally by Tom Hogan and won all over the world. Another veteran of the hunt enjoying the hospitality was Mabel Wallace, who recently celebrated her 101st birthday and still drives her own car. John Kenny recalls a photo of a very young Mabel being led on her pony just 95 years ago.

She recalls first hunting with George Webb, who hunted hounds back in the 30s. Nicolas Ryan-Purcell, who was there on the day, has made a feature length film on her life, times and memories and it was premiered to great acclaim at the Birr Theatre and Arts centre last year. Dorothy’s brother Tommy Riggs-Miller, the distinguished Nenagh veterinarian, was there with his wife, the now-retired consultant anaesthetist, Dr Ann Elisabeth.

Former huntsman, jockey, raconteur, thespian and so much more, Capt Donal Swann turned up to wish Oliver well. Hounds are kennelled on his estate at Mondreeny near Cloughjordan and he carried the horn with great distinction from 1973-89.

Dedication

A presentation of a painting by Sandy Kenny was made to Oliver and Dorothy by chairman John (see page 91) and, in a panegyric address, he praised Dorothy and Oliver for their dedication to hunting and the Ormond in particular.

But we came to hunt and, all too soon, the call came to mount up and Oliver brought his all-bitch pack with mounted field for a moving off picture in front of Kenny’s. His whippers-in on the day were Keith Breen, Natasha Hayes and young Conn Gleeson from Scarteen, deputising for the day. The good news is that Keith Breen has taken on the role of huntsman for the coming season, replacing Oliver on his retirement. We can but wish him well. He was out with his young son, Ruben, on his pony.

Visiting from the nearby Golden Vale was former master Mattie Maher, who was accompanying his son Philip, who was going well all day. Another regular was Tadhg O’Leary of Dungar Oats, renowned for the quality of his feed.

Family groups included the Monahan’s from Glass House Stables, dad Colm with Mia, Ben and, the star of the show, Alex - all of eight. Another family were Kevin O’Meara and his daughter, Kaytlyn.

Hounds drew across the road in more Kenny land and some great jumping resulted over a couple of really stiff hedges, led by our hosts, Graham and young Scott, who are preparing for the Antler Challenge, followed by Michael Larkin. Giving a great display jumping upsides were Craig Loughnane and his partner Ashling Kavanagh. Another young jockey and pupil at Kings Hospital was Avril Clarke, whose grandmother Anne (Long) came from Limerick.

Graham Kenny clears the gate on his own farm, out with the Ormond Foxhounds at Fairymount Farm, Ballingarry \ Catherine Power

Stellar display

Hounds went to draw and find at Lower Ballinahinch, which has a very large lake complete with ancient Cranog and loads of covert. While hounds were woodland hunting, the field had a feast day of schooling over hedges, where Graham and Scott, among others, gave a display of stellar gate jumping.

Hounds then crossed the road to draw Knocksigowna, with loads of cover and semi-mature plantations. For all that, Reynard was not at home, but it did not deter the field from a schooling session.

Keeping us in touch all day were Valerie Phelan from Clonakenny and Jennifer Donovan from Borrisokane, whose daughter Jessica was riding. While Valerie is standing down this season, she hopes to be back in action by the next opening meet.

With the day winding down and further festivities planned at the Castle Bar in Shinrone, Oliver blew for home. However, before all that, there was further food and festivities back at Fairymount, where old-fashioned hospitality was dispensed by the Kenny family.

As this is our last hunting report for the current season, Catherine and I would like to thank all those hunts, who made us so welcome and look forward to seeing them again next season, DV.

The team

Kennels: Mondreeney, Cloughjordan

Chairman: Mr John Kenny (1999)

Hon Sec: Jessica Cahalane

Treasurer: Ann Ryan

Master and Huntsman: Oliver Ryan-Purcell (2023)

Field master: Mr Graham Kenny

Whippers-in: Keith Breen, Natasha Hayes and Conn Gleeson (locum)

History

Founded by Lord Lismore in 1778, they are one of the oldest packs in Ireland. They are still kennelled on the land of Capt Donal Swann, who hunted hounds from 1973 to ’89.

Some former masters:

Mr Assheton Biddulph 1884-96, Earl of Huntingdon 1919-23, George Webb 1923-40, Capt L Preston 1952-60, Ml Higgins 1972-73, Capt Donal Swann 1973-89, Geo Younghusband 1983-93.

They meet on Saturdays.