Irish Extra September 2020
August is like New Years Eve for the sporting person, it’s the end of a long summer and 2020 has been particularly long all things considered! I am certainly looking forward to a bit of Autumn, maybe a duck or two and two new arrivals. Firstly, my good lady wife will hopefully have given birth to our second child by the time you read this, and following that, my new pup from Germany will be also arriving Mid October. Null Null Sieben (007) Vom Altern Friedrich is a dog puppy from Germany, from my friend Doreen and with his lineage and breeding he has all the foundations to be hopefully be a good one, and I look forward to writing on him on the future.
Rabbit arrivals
My neighbour James who is a farmer recently told me that he had spotted a rabbit in the rear field behind my house which made me give him a look which suggested I didn’t fully believe him, to which he replied “I knew you wouldn’t believe me”. It sounds unusual that I would doubt an appearance of a rabbit behind my house but it simply is not or ever has been a place for rabbits, and what is even more strange is that the area in question is cut off by a river. I probed further, suggesting it might have been a young Hare or that he was returning from the pub, to which he answered he knew what a hare looked like and the pub has been closed since March! I really doubted him and thought he was seeing things until a few mornings later when exercising the dogs I spotted ears in the dewy grass below a sycamore tree in the field, and sure enough there was a rabbit slipped through the fence and off into some Himalayan Balsam that grows along the bank. Of course, as much as I didn’t want to, I had to tell him he was in fact correct and there was a rabbit that I have spotted a few times since, and he of course delighted in “telling me so” when we were discussing it. It is a quite unusual but not unwelcome appearance as its lovely to see them around so close to the house.
A fine Young Sportsman
There is nothing so pleasant as a young person involved in country sports and more so one that has all the makings of a fine sports person. One such young man was mentioned to me via email a few days ago and his name is Fintan Carlin. Fintan is a fanatical and fine example of a Salmon Angler who has so much respect for salmon and a keen interest in their preservation. Hailing from Strabane in Northern Ireland he has banked around 30 salmon this summer from various rivers, which some weighing up to 15lbs in weight, and he returned each and every one of them. Well Done Fintan, it seems your fine reputation and passion for Salmon angling has not gone unnoticed and I wish you well and tight lines for the future.
Can you assist DEFRA Northern Ireland?
Badgerline is a dedicated line for the reporting of dead badgers & foxes. The animal will be collected & if suitable tested for the presence of bovine TB & other diseases. Report by phoning 028 7744 2399 or email rtabadger@daera-ni.gov.uk We cannot accept reports via social media.
From the Countryside Alliance Ireland
As we prepare for the start of the season in Northern Ireland please remember.
Anyone shooting with lead shot on or over wetlands on or after 1st September 2009 will be committing an offence and liable to prosecution; conviction can result in a fine of up to £1000.
If you are a shoot owner, shoot captain, a club official or a sporting agent and you knowingly allow the use of lead shot on or over wetland you may also be liable to a similar level of fine if convicted.
Irish Hawking Club
I was delighted this week to see a series of presentations and works by the Irish Hawking Club on the history of Irish Falconry, 15th August marked the beginning of Heritage Week and because the Art & Practice of Falconry has been inscribed as one of Ireland’s Intangible Cultural Heritages, they features on the milestones of Irish Falconry throughout that week which can be viewed on the Irish Hawking Club facebook page. The week also marked the anniversary of The Irish Hawking Club that was founded in Dublin in August 1860 which makes them 160 years old! What an achievement. If you have a few minutes to spare, slip on over to the Irish Hawking Club page and check out some fantastic material on the club and falconry.
From the ICC
Loughrea coursing club has lost one of our valued members with the death of Donie Reidy on Tuesday morning, August 18th. Donie domiciled from his native Tournafulla, Co Limerick over 50 years ago and set up business in Loughrea, a business he himself, and later with his sons, ran with much success. Donie had a wide range of sporting interests and was a generous contributor to all clubs. However it would be fair to say that greyhounds and his beloved coursing were top of the list. He was a stalwart member of Loughrea CC and carried out valuable work and repairs at our field in Masonbrook Meadows over the years in preparation for the annual Connacht Cup meeting in October. Indeed he and his family sponsored the famed Connacht Cup All-age event too for the past number of years. Donie was also in charge of the ‘microphone’ at our meeting and always had a witty comment to make especially in relation to the names of greyhounds coming to slips. Whilst he had many successes with his greyhounds on track and field, his greatest hour came when Fortuna, co-owned with his sister Brigid Frank and his friend Dr Paul Nolan, won the Coursing Oaks in 2009. The victory was very well celebrated for many weeks and months afterwards with all his coursing friends in Loughrea and beyond.
Our sincerest sympathy to his beloved wife Pat, family and his many friends in Loughrea and throughout Ireland.
May your gentle soul Rest In Peace.
L.C.C.
Until Next time, Have a good opener for the season, and stay safe.