All eyes on the Irish National Hound Show

Roddy Bailey sees the Meath Foxhounds in winning form, the Kildare also in the ribbons—and a few surprises

Stradbally Hall, home to the Cosby family for 450 years, provided a striking setting for the annual Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association Show in Co Laois, Ireland. The park is central to the Co Laois Hunt and the father, grandfather and great grandfather of the present occupier all held distinguished office throughout the Hunt’s history. Their enthusiasm for hunting is continued by David Cosby, current owner of Stradbally, who hosts the show of foxhounds and beagles under the auspices of their respective governing bodies. The impressive venue also supported the launch of An Irish Scrapbook, a new hunting work co-written by Desmond McCheane and Cyril Smyth.

Martin Scott, my fellow Hunting Magazine correspondent, former Master and huntsman of the Tiverton and VWH (and still the breeder of the latter), with Adam Waugh, Joint Master and huntsman of the South and West Wilts, judged both doghounds and bitches from 11 packs of foxhounds from Ireland, including the East Down from Ulster. The standard has noticeably risen in recent years and the quality of professional production was a joy to watch.

‘Man of the Match’ was young Mark ‘Spud’ Casserly—whipper-in to the Meath—who proved that ‘he on the reins’ is as important as anybody else in the ring. Mark’s eyes never left his charges or his huntsman as he slackened collars to show a shoulder or deftly warned his boss of a judge’s unexpected turn. Meath huntsman John Henry was confined to the ringside after a bad fall last season. His brother Kenny ably stood in for him: ‘He’s doing a better job than me!’ John called after the kennel claimed both the doghound and bitch championships. Amid the glee at the Meath’s success were wishes of good fortune to the sidelined John Henry coupled with the hope that he will soon be hunting hounds again.

The Meath did not have it all their own way. The Kildare, fresh from a successful foray across the Irish Sea to the Wales and Border Counties Hound Show at Builth Wells, claimed numerous ‘tickets’ including the Reserve Bitch Championship with Label ’03. Joint Master and breeder of the Kildare hounds, Rupert Macauley, could hardly contain his joy as his unentered bitch, Pleasure, took first in her class, having won a second in good company in Wales three days before—and she is not yet a year old. The Carlow Farmers’—a Corrigan family concern helped by huntsman Noel Skelton—had a profitable morning, winning the Couples class and the Reserve Dog hound Championship with Foreman ’03.

More Hunts in Ireland use traditional English hounds than are ever seen in England. The term is arguably a misnomer but two classes and a Challenge Trophy reflect this enthusiasm. Huntsman Graham Buston showed the Waterford hounds to perfection, impressing the spectators with his sympathetic and quiet handling of these ‘Old English’ foxcatchers. Those spectators included a number of visiting Masters from Britain led by South Dorset Master and huntsman Rory Innes and Mr Richard Tyacke, who holds the same position at Wynnstay.