Irish Extra May 2020

An Irish fox hunting club has raised money to help keep the Cork Air Ambulance project flying. Ireland’s first charity funded Air Ambulance based in North Cork, has suffered a massive funding shortfall.

The helicopter is operated by Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR) and staffed by National Ambulance Service medical personnel. It ceased service on April 3 because of lack of funding. The well-known Galtee Foxhounds members saw the benefit of the air ambulance as it recently assisted someone who had fallen from a horse and so they decided to raise money for the charity. Kevin Casey said that his group had raised €2,600 for the group and called on other charities to keep the ICRR in mind for charitable donations. “Each flight costs €3,000. There has been a lack of funding from various charities to the helicopter now. We normally do a fundraiser for a different charity every year and this year we thought the air ambulance was a very worthy cause.  “We raised the money at a charity auction that we held in Kilcoran Lodge recently with myself acting as auctioneer,” Kevin said. “There was a person who was attending the hunt ball who had availed of the services after falling from his horse. That wasn’t from our hunt club but from elsewhere in the country. That inspired us really to fundraise,” Kevin explained. The current Covid-19 crisis has hit the helicopter’s efforts to fundraise and the Galtee Foxhounds were unable to hold a special event for the handover of the cheque.  “There was a plan to do a presentation but, under the current Covid-19 regulations, we couldn’t do that. We had to scrap that idea so we transferred the money directly to them.

“We have thirty members, we hunt from Kilcoran to Mitchelstown and other surrounding areas. We wanted to say a big thanks to the people who support us and the land owners – we wouldn’t be able to do this without them.

I didn’t particularly want to write much on the current Covid 19 pandemic sweeping the world but I almost have little choice! My rabbit catching activities have not stopped but have slowed well down. A lot of my ongoing or regular contracts have closed their doors entirely but thankfully the farm jobs and other areas have continued and it is keeping me ticking over as we say here. Myself and my old pal David Grant were busy for a few nights on an annual job where we carry out night shooting over a two week period, I usually drive and lamp and David shoots. This year quite strangely saw a sharp rise in rabbit numbers which had been dropping gradually over the last numbers of years and this increased our bag significantly. However what I did notice was that a lot of the younger rabbits where in poor condition with a lacking coat and many had terribly poor livers with white spots, which according to the small amount of research I carried out on it a condition known as  “Coccidiosis” but how correct this is I cannot be sure. If anyone has more information on this I would be certainly interested so please do get in touch. David shot in excess of 200 rabbits over the period and I actually had once again the recurring problem of running out of freezer space. However my good old mother in law gave me the use of a spare chest freezer she had and as my good lady had borrowed my truck for the day and I dare not transport rabbits in her vehicle I had the job of taking them half a mile up the road, 25 at a time in a wheel barrow! I did get a few looks from passing cars who were probably expecting grass cuttings or rubble!

A 2km restriction for exercise was placed here some weeks ago but being relatively in the sticks it affected me little as I can exercise the dogs where I usually do and It has been actually nice in many ways to slow down, take stock of things and actually have time to get a few things done around the place. I have been painting, washing, scarifying grass and doing all sorts of those things my father calls retirement jobs!

Well done All!

I must say congratulations to Fiona Devlin (Northern Ireland) and Armagh Sporting dog club who came up with the very innovative idea of an online / virtual dog show. I know Fiona quite well and have always respected her knowledge and management of dogs. She has over the last decade had outstanding showing success with her dog “Maverick” who must be one of the most decorated dogs ever in both showing and racing and was always one I looked out for as much as I wouldn’t be a show person, but Maverick was certainly something special. The event was a qualifier for the 5 Nations Championship at Shanes Castle and was supported and sponsored by the Great Game Fairs of Ireland. The results were:

Lurcher, Brea Rooney – Rocky

Whippet, Brooke Rafferty – Milly

Terrier, Nicky Smith – Rocky

Special Announcement

HOUND PUP STOLEN FROM HUNT KENNELS IN TIPPERARY ON MONDAY NIGHT (13th April).

Old English Hound pup, just 10 weeks old, stolen overnight from The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers. He was stolen from inside the Hunt Kennels, where he was with his litter. “Paddy” is very friendly, with a tattoo in his ear.

Please if anyone has any information please call 00353 (86) 898 2016. Local number – 086 898 2016

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST FAR AND WIDE TO MAKE THIS PUP TOO HOT TO HANDLE AS THE HUNTSMAN IS DESPERATE FOR HIS SAFE RETURN.

Salmon Angling – On Line!

Although my father is a Salmon fanatic I am not but at times I wish I was and while I don’t fish for Salmon I always have a deep respect for the genuine and truly passionate anglers of the world. One of these genuine and very, very passionate anglers is Irelands first lady of Fly Casting, Salmon angler, guide, instructor, world champion and all round delightful lady who I love to meet with at the Irish Game Fair each year is Glenda Powell. Glenda has recently began taking her great instruction, amazing delivery and articulate personality online in a series of You Tube videos covering varying aspects of fly casting. If you’re a new or even old angler I have no doubt Glenda can show you some more, so why not click onto You Tube during Lock Down, search for “Glenda Powell” and spend your time wisely!

Irish Deer Hunting

National Parks and Wildlife Service would normally send application packs in early April by post to those hunters who held a licence for the 2019/2020 deer hunting season. However, due the impact of Covid-19 on the operation of the Wildlife licensing Unit, we will not be sending the applications out by post at this point in time. The Department will keep this matter under review.

In the meantime, the application form and supporting documents are now available on the NPWS website at the following link https://www.npws.ie/…/hunti…/deer-hunting-licences-2020-2021

Thank you for your understanding during these difficult times.

Until Next time, Good hunting & Stay Safe!