Irish Extra November 2020

My new German puppy “Remy” arrived safe and well on Sunday past. He bound from a large van with his tail wagging and looking no worse for wear after his three-day journey. My daughter had blown up balloons and bought “Doggy” cupcakes to welcome him to Ireland and the pair spent the afternoon becoming acquainted. He is a fine example of a Wire-Haired Dachshund and arrived from breeder Doreen Klaus (Vom Alten Friedrich) in absolutely spectacular condition. He has only been here 3 days as I write, however it seems a lot longer and as he settles in very well, I can’t help but feel we will have a lot of fun together!
October was a good month as we got into the second half it, the first two weeks were warm in temperature and there seemed to be a distinct lack of game in the local area. My few lamping trips were almost fruitless, leaving me wondering where all the foxes I had spotted on the early summer mornings had gone, not to mention the ducks I saw dropping into the water when I had no gun.
However, things took a turn when I had an invitation from the “Electrician” to accompany him on a morning stalk and were we were lucky enough to down a beautiful Red Stag. What began as a quick early morning outing turned into a 14 hour one by the time, we had the Deer gralloched, skinned, butchered and in the freezer, but it was well worth it. A very memorable day and one I was most grateful to the “Electrician” for the invitation.
The following days saw some success for my Harris who is improving day by day. We have managed a few rabbits on the last few trips out and it has been great sport as he teaches me how to hunt with him. He had one spectacular catch on Saturday past when he struck a bolting rabbit which pulled him almost into a burrow, leaving him holding himself above ground by his wings! It was our only catch of the day but it was very memorable.
“Pandemic Pause”
I avoided any mention of Covid19 in Irish Extra since it rose its head back in March. I suppose many country sports enthusiasts myself included assumed that any mention of a Pandemic would be long gone with the arrival of the season, but unfortunately this has not been the case and with Ireland recently entering a level 5 lock down, Hunting has been put on hold with the IMFHA advising all hunting including fun rides to be put on hold. The NPWS have stated that Deer stalking (recreational) cannot be classed as essential and shoots also are on hold but can apply for a season extension. With the general angling season ending at the end of September, many Irish anglers travelled to Lough Melvin where the season runs later. However, Lough Melvin too has now closed earlier than planned. The Irish Coursing club have stated:
Following a meeting of the Executive Committee of the ICC today and after consideration of the impact of the country going into Level 5 of the Government plan in dealing with Covid-19, and the associated difficulties that would ensue as well as professional advice received, it is decided to suspend all park coursing events and open coursing events from midnight tonight, October 21st. The suspension will exist until it is appropriate to resume coursing events under the ICC Covid-19 Plan. The Executive are acutely aware of what this decision means to clubs, in particular the clubs that were mid-way through their events and we will work with them in bringing those meetings to a conclusion at a future date. We also acknowledge the impact this decision has on club members, owners, trainers, breeders, stud keepers, sponsors, coursing supporters, staff of the ICC and all related businesses that rely on coursing.
However, aside from what has been mentioned, it is possible (with care) to partake in your own country sports, assuming you adhere to the 5km from home rule and this is the advice from An Garda Siochana.
Poacher turned Groundsman…
I was sent this rather interesting newspaper cutting entitled “A Hunting We Will Go” featuring an interview with a local newspaper around 1970 with Redmond Doran of Ballydougan, Lurgan, Northern Ireland. Great grandfather of my good friend Darran Connolly.
“Hunting men form a close community and follow their sport – One that’s as old as man himself, all their days. I’ve never yet met a hunting man who still didn’t retain his interest and participiation right up to as long as he could. Perhaps it’s the fresh air, or the cries of the huntsmen, or maybe the yapping of the terriers or the baying of hounds on a scent or it may even be some primeval instinct in man himself. But whatever it is, there are those who follow the hounds, be they stag, fox, ottter or Beagles. It’s a sport that attracts little limelight but has a faithful following.
What brings up the subject is the fact that during the week I met Redmond Doran of Ballydougan, Lurgan who has been a huntsman all his days. Today, though over 70 years of age, he is light on his foot, carrying not an ounce of excess weight and still able to be out and follow the pack. On his own admission “I am not as quick as I was but I know all the ground and all the short cuts after all these years I can still get there”.
He began life as a weaver but quit as soon he was 18 and after that worked where he got it he said. “Building sites in England and then I joined the Irish Guards and was in them for two years and 9 months. That was in the 1930’s before the war. We weren’t so bad there, we got about five shillings more than an ordinary soldier. We came out with about £1 a week.”
“I used to do a bit at the gun, but I lost it”. The reporter enquired why and Redmond in response told him “She was stolen from the house”. “She was a British Gun, not all that great, but she was alright, just an old double barrelled hammer action”. He went on, “When I had the gun I kept a Springer, but at present I have a Beagle and we had a great hunt out at Laurencetown last week. We rose a fox there and he went to ground near Lisleard Fort. Then we put up another and he went in the same spot. There was a big crowd, about 35 altogether, there are a lot of foxes around this year”.
An altogether separate story and one not published but recounted to me by Redmonds daughter, Mary Connolly nee Doran, was that around the 1930’s after Redmonds Irish Guard service he was caught snaring a Hare on the local Elmfield Estate owned then by the “Uprichard” family. Redmond duly attended court the following week where the presiding Judge passed a fine said to be equivalent of a months wages. Rutledge Uprichard family stood up in the court and overruled the Judge stating it was “Too much” and had the fine reduced by half or thereabouts. After leaving court, Redmond found himself in discussion with Rutledge and was offered a job as groundsman of the estate where he became friends with Master Albert Uprichard and whipped in for some years with his foxhounds as well as hunting with the local and well known “Iveagh” Hounds. Redmond enjoyed a stout or two occasionally and Master Albert, who didn’t drink often drove Redmond around the local pubs where he was somewhat of a local legend, hunting man and character. A great memory of a character when times seemed a little simpler.
Irish Shots
Paul Anthony McGlones sons, enjoying a day with Dad wildfowling on Lough Neagh.
Until Next time – Good Hunting!