‘George loved greatly, and was greatly loved’

GEORGE Briscoe passed away this week at 94 years young. A remarkable man, his dedication to his beloved Tara Harriers, as master for 72 seasons, knew no boundaries. He always spoke proudly of his fellow masters and the loyalty of the hunt staff. As master of the Taras and chairman of the Meath Foxhounds, he continuously reminded followers that to hunt across the countryside was a privilege that had to be respected.

Each season he sent me an invitation in beautiful handwriting to the opening meet at his home in Craystown. When my report was published in The Irish Field he would write again and thank me for attending. The opening meet has been hosted by the Briscoe family since 1937 at Bellinter House, Asigh Stud and latterly at Craystown.

His knowledge of hunting, shooting, and fishing was extensive. George published two books, The Best of Times and Running On. Both are fascinating to read and an important social history. He was a country gentleman to his fingertips.

His early education was in Wales and then at Portora Royal School in Enniskillen. Leaving school in 1939 due to his father’s illness he had to take over the farm at Bellinter and began hunting the pack as a 21-year-old in 1942, and was appointed a master.

He lived for the hunting season, woodcock shooting and fishing. The family never missed the Galway Races. A keen follower of point-to-point racing, he was one of the main organisers of the Tara Harriers/Meath Foxhound annual point-to-point.

George’s philosophy of life served him well: “Be grateful for all the things one can still do, and not bemoan the things that one cannot do.”

He was a wonderful husband and father and his daughter Lorraine is a joint master of the Taras. George was pre-deceased by Louise, whom he married in 1947 and they were together 54 years. Their best man was George’s cousin Aubrey Brabazon. Louise was honorary secretary of the hunt and organiser of the hunt ball at Bellinter.

From the void left by the passing of Louise a new light was to shine in George’s life and that was Jean Wilson (nee Craigie). Both knew each other’s family well. The Craigie’s were masters of the Ward Union Staghounds and Fingal Harriers. They married in 2002 and shared a passion for hunting, entertaining friends, holidays in the west of Ireland and gardening.

A painting of George on his hunter Robinstown by Peter Curling hangs in the sitting room and will remind everyone what a striking figure he was in the hunting field.

The funeral service was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Trim where the Dean said: “George loved greatly, and was greatly loved.”

The cortège was escorted by Tara Harriers’ outriders on striking grey hunters to Bective Cemetery where his nephew, joint master and huntsman Henry Smith, blew ‘Gone Away’.

George is survived by Jean, Lorraine, son-in-law John, granddaughters Lisa and Jackie, sister Stella and stepdaughters Susan and Sheelin. N. M.