TRIBUTES were made in memory of John Hubert de la Poer Beresford, the 8th Marquis of Waterford at his funeral service in Clonagam Church, Portlaw, and received from around the world as he was laid to rest within sight of Curraghmore House and the polo ground that he maintained with unwavering devotion throughout much of his adult life.

Born in 1933 and 81 years old at the time of his death on February 11th, he was married to Lady Caroline Olein Geraldine Wyndham-Quin for 58 years.

Among some 300 people who attended his funeral service led by chief celebrant Canon George Cliffe, retired Rector of the Fiddown Union of Churches, the impact of the passing of Lord Waterford as he was known to many was keenly felt.

The highly skilled horseman rode the first of his many point-to-point winners while still at Eton and he went on to become the youngest member recorded at the Irish Turf Club.

Polo, however, was his true calling and from 1960 until nearly the end of his life, Lord Waterford served on the All Ireland Polo Club Committee before and long after his terms as President.

His successes in polo the highest handicapped player at the AIPC and twice winning the British Open Championship for the Cowdray Gold Cup on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Windsor Park team. He brought a team to Hawaii that included his first cousin, the late Major Hugh Dawnay and mounting a team that included all three of his sons. Lord Waterford was instrumental in the return of polo to this country following the two world wars.

His loss will be keenly felt at Curraghmore and at Glenbridge Lodge in Co Wicklow. His passing marked the end of an era as so many from hunting, racing and indeed the polo community remarked at his funeral service.

“There was a fierce competition in the sport he played all his life, and he was a committee member of the AIPC for many years, and the highlight of his career was when he played with his three sons,” said John Perceval Maxwell, a contemporary who gave the tribute to Lord Waterford at his funeral service. “Tyrone bred and trained many horses from his foundation mare, the coloured horse that pulled his parents around Ireland on their honeymoon.”

Lord Waterford’s passion for horse sports took him to 14 countries and inspired the line of horses he bred from Esmeralda, the coloured horse at the root of his successful career.

The Irish Georgian Society issued a statement in tribute to the warm welcome members received on visits to Curraghmore House and Gardens.

“Friendship, duty, honesty and a sense of humour were Tyrone’s points. He managed the estate through difficult times and although he wanted to do so much his focus was by necessity on the house,” added John Perceval Maxwell. “He was liked by many and he took on the estate in difficult financial times.”

Canon Cliffe was assisted at the funeral service by the retired Dean of Cashel Rev Philip John Knowles and Rev.Melissa Jeffers from Athy, Co Kildare. Participants from the Roman Catholic community included Fr Richard O’Halloran, CC, Portlaw; the very Rev Fr Ned Hassett, PP of Abbeyside, Ballinroad and Garranbane and very Rev Fr Pat Geer, PP, Ballneale. K.M.