Not only the publicans were out to meet the East Down Foxhounds at their meet at the inn, but also local farmers like Tom Edgar and his sheepdog Jim. Last year Tom told the huntsman that the foxes had taken 24 of his hens and were as fat as fools, and he did not want to lose any more! Mrs Black stopped to say she had taken her pony in so they could draw away, and farmers David Nicholson and Stephen McGinn were also down to say they had taken all the locks off the gates and wishing the followers an enjoyable day. Stephen Murray a stone mason of Stoney Ways who specialise in all types of traditional stonework as well as landscaping was also there in support. It was a refreshing example of community spirit, upholding old traditions and respecting each other’s sport.

Pat Turley who took on the mastership this year farms on Downpatrick Racecourse where his Kingsfield Haylage business is based. His son Patrick trains about 20 point to pointers together with 12 breezers, so performance is targeted at the sales. Patrick has the ideal background for training as I remember him hunting 12.2 ponies with the East Down and riding up front with the huntsman. I asked him when he was a teenager what he wanted to do when he left school and he said be a jockey. He rode for 5 years, won 20 point to points then went to Ann and Tony O’Callaghan’s Tally-Ho Stud in Mullingar where top stallion Kodiac stands. Then he set up his training operation at home where he has installed a carbon fibre jumping strip. Two of his graduates My Whirlwind is with Nicky Henderson and Power Pause with Willie Mullins.

The other new joint master is Donna Quail whose Arakan Quest trained by Brian Hamilton and ridden by Keith Donoghue was running in Gowran Park as we left the inn. Viewing the race on her phone she was delighted with the ride Keith gave her horse to slot into third in testing conditions. Her daughter Toni is an international junior eventer associated with Ringfort Rua and currently riding out point to pointers in Wexford and was second recently in a point to point in Tipperary.

It is worth travelling to the East Downs just to see how huntsman Declan Feeney handles 17 ½ couple of hounds on his own. He is a one man band, does his own hunt horses, hounds, and the hunt country, and evens finds time to operate a knackery for fallen stock. Looking over the fence was Camilla his donkey who won many of the prizes at the Trim Show as she works under a plough, harrow, and side car. The pair are going to do an re-enactment of the coaching stop at The Lakeside Inn soon. Declan was riding Harvey a former eventer when ridden by Declan Cullen. He previously hunted his Diamond Chin mare who was a real hunting machine for 14 seasons.

Willie McDowell a local Suffolk Cheviots sheep farmer is a great support to Declan. Craig Cavan the former master for 35 seasons farms beef and tillage locally. He plans the hound breeding programme with the huntsman, and they have had considerable success at all the major hound shows particularly at the National Hound Show in Stradbally. BBC Countryfile have been filming recently at the kennels with the huntsman and honorary whipper in and veterinary surgeon Daisy Dillon, and also at the hunt point to point at Tyrella.

Masters Donna Quail and Pat Turley were on horseback as well as Bartley Murphy, John and Leona Laverty, Kieran Murray, visitors Neil Keary former huntsman of the Iveagh Foxhounds now hunting with the Dunfreese in Scotland and Lynn Mackey from the Iveagh. Hunt chairman James Armstrong was away on business. Following by car were Gerry Gibney and his son Aidan, Paddy Gilmore and his friend Erica, Sean Fowler, Cathal Rogers and his children Emmy, Ruben and Jude, Maura and May Savage, Ron Barr, Herbie Andrews and his wife Margaret, Jimmy Traynor and Stephen McGinn.

While a number of hunts cancelled, not the East Down, as they were hunting in drumlin country formed after the Ice Age melt 10,000 years ago, and under the soil is Ordovician and Silurian shale and grits so it is makes a nice dry home for wildlife. The first draw was in Cargry on Tom Edgar’s farm and although there was a whimper foxes seemed to be out for the day. Veterinary surgeon Daisy Dillon joined us at that stage as she was on call on the weekend.

But when hounds got to the bog off the Ballydonty Road which is a huge covert we realised why the first two coverts were blank as there was at least a brace and a half congregating along the old railway line not far from Stephen McGinn’s flock of ewes. He had lost one ewe overnight and foxes had cleaned the carcass bare. There was some terrific local hunting. One beautifully marked fox slipped out within yards of me and never made as much as a sound. He headed briefly into the open but turned back into the wood instead. Hounds were brilliant in bad scenting conditions in the covert, but they struggled in the open and it appeared the foxes were aware of that. Just to confuse matters another really dark coloured fox ran in a diagonal away right-handed and the pack hunted that line briefly but cast themselves back again. Declan Feeney known as one of the top professional huntsmen in the country did not panic so he let hounds work it out never interfering with them as he did he want to break their concentration. A flock of crows gave us additional information as to the location of the foxes. Hounds hunted in a loop and down the railway bank, then crossed the bog near Huddleston’s herd of sheep. They then dropped down by Alister Moffett’s old house and crossed the road again left-handed in a loop and they marked him to ground by the side of the old railway line.

The huntsman took the pack along the Ballydonty Road again to the back of Hollymount Church into Andrew Galways, and Kenny and Ian Dixons but there are a number of new houses built around the old covert and foxes are probably not comfortable there any longer. The last draw was off the Drumcullen Road near Barbara and Robin Nichols and into Liam Russell’s Bog by Macralaggen Lake which was flooded. Not surprisingly foxes had gone to drier ground, so Feeney blew for home. Hunting is all about memories, and former master Craig Cavan recalled when looking at an enormous hedge in Russells the day both Feeney and himself taking on a similar hedge trying to keep with hounds only to discover there was a 10 foot drop on the landing side. Feeney shouted ‘Sit back’ as both were on the buckle of the reins, but horses fortunately managed to scramble and keep on all fours!

The day ended with a warm fire, refreshments and the friendly hospitality of Margaret and Geoffrey Ferguson at The Lakeside Inn.

I hunted this area particularly around Loughbrickland a number of times in the 1980s when I was hunting Peter Downes’ Russelstown Beagles. We had a regular joint meet with the West Down Beagles hunted at the time by Eamonn Morgan and latterly by Wesley Woods. I recall after a great days hunting and wonderful hospitality heavy snow showers made it a long journey home.

The joint masters Alexander Mills runs an extensive agricultural machinery business and Sarah Dawson is a well-known horse trainer associated with horses like Magic Sea who have been a consistent money earner as well as Pretty Boy Floyd, Slainte and Our Patron Saint. She recently had a very successful open day in her yard which has a mix of owners and syndicates, and she is always on the lookout for any potential owners that want to own a leg in a racehorse. Sarah was joined by her son Patrick. Mark English from the South Tyrones was out on his hunter that fortunately survived a tragic accident when a car travelling at speed crashed into the back of his three hunters out exercising on the road killing two of his hunters. Fortunately Mark and one of his hunters survived the tragic accident. Others out hunting were Linda Graham, former master Bob Wilson, Dom Rice, Conor McDonnell, Charlie McPoland who was sporting an Irish Field casual jacket with his wife Kate, Robbie Mulligan, Liz Mackie, Leanne Black and Gareth Black. Chairman John Porter a former master and huntsman farms nearby as well as Colin Boggs. Hunting also were Mark Mc Ilroy huntsman of the Newry Harriers, Garry Laurie from the North Down and Dillon Ross on a lively coloured hunter.

The number of car followers crammed the side roads, and it was like rush hour in a city. I asked one driver why so many were out in cars and his reply was, ‘We are here to see the new man’, meaning the new huntsman Jack Harris, and they were not disappointed. He has a wealth of experience having served his time with a number of packs in Britain, and made an impressive sight standing at the crossroads at the meet with his pack tucked in around him. It had all the hallmarks of a real professional, his tidy turnout, his horse plaited and shining, and the wonderful condition of his hounds. Megan Pugh the huntsman’s partner was working but managed to drive by to see Jack at his first opening meet in County Down. Also following was John Harvey a former field master, Eric McLennon, Willie Murphy and Robbie Gault.

The huntsman and hounds moved off from the crossroads to the hosts George and Faith Cromie’s farm and both were well to the fore. Hounds found immediately in the covert in the second field, and soon had a brace and a half running in the covert. One went to ground, and another headed for the high road in full view to the car followers. But hounds were still busy in the covert, and we were treated to wonderful hound music, with enthusiastic cheering on by the huntsman. Eventually the fox broke cover with the followers able to really ride on at the numerous hunt fences around the farm. Our pilot headed left-handed and crossed a side road and up a hill and crossed yet another narrow side road. But the combination of a strong wind and poor scenting conditions made it difficult for the pack to hold the line. But despite that it was really impressive the way they persevered. One could see the results of all the Autumn hunting as the huntsman and the pack were like a well-oiled unit in total concentration. But they lost him further on despite a wide cast in the hope of recovering the line by the huntsman. It was worth giving George and Faith Cromie’s covert another try in case the fox that went to ground decided to surface and view how his colleagues were getting on, but he had more sense and stayed underground!

Former master and huntsman John Porter’s farm was next on the list. John’s son Ian has played rugby union for both Ulster and Connaught. There are two smashing coverts, one near the road and one on the hill, but both were blank. The next draw was in Colin Boggs another hunting farmer, and he was out on horseback. The huntsman cast the pack along the thick hedgerows and found a fox that was lying out. After a quick spin he headed underground probably as a result of the reputation that was circulating of the drive of Harris’ pack! Moving on to another covert in Boggs hounds were on song again pushing the fox left-handed in the direction of Boggs’ farmyard. He then ran on in the direction of the Rathfriland Road swinging back again in the direction of John Porters where the huntsman had to stop the pack as they did not want to hunt across a farm that they had not sought permission. It was by now that time of eventing when darkness set in, so the huntsman blew for home.

With such a large turnout of both mounted and foot followers for the opening meet in such perfect conditions, I am sure this young huntsman will give the followers plenty of sport over the Winter. As for the verdict of the follower on the road that came to see the new man. They remarked that this huntsman knows his job, and his hounds are a credit to him. A nice accolade for your first day hunting in County Down, especially when it comes from knowledgeable hunt followers.

I often wondered why there are so many talented showjumping riders in North Galway, and from my recent visit to their meet in Shrule I now know why. The answer I maintain is simply, Jackie Lee. He has been the field master of the North Galways for 38 seasons. He was riding a smashing grey Traditional Irish Hunter named Simpson who was owned previously by former master Declan Brooks. When you are hunting with Jackie Lee you are jumping the most challenging line all day, just a pleasure to follow. To be on the safe side they have two medical practitioners hunting with them, Dr Alan Costello and Dr Brona Mooney, so everybody is in safe hands! Jackie is a quiet unassuming man, a superb breeder of showjumping horses like his mare Kashino that won the Connaught Grand Prix with Raphael Lee on board. The horse is being campaigned on the Sunshine Tour in Spain ridden by Jessica Burke another top class rider. She hunted alongside Jackie for many seasons. Jackie has also won the 3 year old loose jumping competition at the Dublin Horse Show for the last 3 years, and later in the day we saw 14 of his 2 and 3 year olds on his mother in law Nora Carroll’s farm.

The meet was at TJ Gibbons Pub in Shrule County Mayo which is in the family since 1925, managed by Ronan Gibbons. The Quiet Man starring John Wayne as Sean Thornton and Maureen O’Hara as Mary Kate was filmed in nearby Cong and The Neale. David Masterson is in his first season hunting the pack having whipped into the Ormond Foxhounds in South Offaly and North Tipperary, and the United Foxhounds in Cork. His hounds are in peak condition, beautiful coats, well-muscled backs and look really happy. He was riding a 7 year old Cob bought from Wesley Ryan, and has another from Brian Moran that hunted the Stonehall Harriers in Limerick, but he needs them as there are some strong riders following these hounds. He and his partner Paula Cosgrave are based at Skehana Stables in Eyrecourt where they provide livery, schooling and exercise facilities for all ages.

There is a break with the normal foxhunting dress tradition, is so far as there are no red coats or pink coats worn by the masters or hunt staff of the North Galway Foxhounds. But instead they wear the Galway County Gaelic Football colours of maroon and white, with maroon jackets and white collars. This is a passionate Gaelic Football area with many great memories of football stars like John Donnellan, Enda Colleran, Sean Purcell and Frankie Stockwell. The neighbouring Corofin Gaelic Football Club won the All Ireland Club Championship in Croke Park on the day of my visit.

Joint master Tom McNamara of Horses in Ireland runs a hireling and show hunter business in Galway. He had a large party of German visitors led by Henric Schumacher who was sporting an Irish Field jacket. They all hunt with the Rheinlandmeute Hunt in the Cologne area which is the centre of equestrian activity in Germany. A German visitor paid the ultimate compliment to the Irish Hunting Horse saying, ‘They are really great animals, intelligent, we let them go, we don’t bother them, we just sit there, we are passengers really’! Charlie McPoland from County Down was also sporting an Irish Field jacket. He was with his wife Kate and Anthony McEvoy of the Iveagh Foxhounds. The Galway Blazers were represented by farrier Eric Connelly. Maria McNamara who was hunting side saddle is a very experienced show judge and show rider. She was hunting a 6 year old that had a side saddle on him for the first time that morning! Another master is Michael Lennon general manager of the Westport Woods Hotel. William Donnellan originally from Craughwell the home of the Galway Blazers is the new master. He lives most of the time in Vancouver in Canada where he has business interests.

Showjumper Gabriel Slattery is honorary whipper in and a joy to watch crossing country. He stands stallions like the Irish Draughts Echo King and Rebel Flagmount, as well as the Traditional Irish Sport Horse Captain Junior and the Irish Sport Horse Captain Cruise. He was hunting a real gem of a lightweight grey modern Irish Draught, that just crossed the country with ease. He is by the Irish Draught stallion Welcome Emperor.

Pat Dillon like his father before him provides top class hirelings. His wife Geraldine reminded me that the last time I photographed their son Oisin was in 2006 with herself and her father Andy Gallagher. Oisin was on lead rein riding a Shetland pony and now he is one of a number of talented showjumping riders in the area. He is sponsored by Tara Harriers master Lar Sheeran’s company MIPS. Sarah Kate Conway who was hunting for her first time was riding one of Pat’s quiet Cobs and she never put a foot wrong all day. Honorary treasurer Noel Keane and his son Ben were hunting as were showjumpers Shane Goggins, Ray Lee and his son Raphael Lee and daughter Jessica, Dr Alan Costello and Dr Brona Mooney. Mike Fahy is a young horseman very skilled in breaking and making young horses. He is a son of Johnny Fahy who I remember hiring hunters from myself. Mike breaks horses for Pat Dillon and other clients. He rode on the race track for trainers like Val O’Brien, and was apprenticed to Michael Grassick and Kevin Prendergast in the Curragh. Hunting also was Anthony and Pat Mellett, James Rochford, Tara Brandon, Ollie Gilligan, and Annemarie McLaughlin had a number of horses hunting. Jemima Stewart who hunts with the North Cotswold, has fallen for the stone walls of County Galway and spends most of the season in Ireland.

Following also were Billy Dalton, farrier Christopher Corcoran, James Joyce from Connemara, brothers Garry and Conor Dooley, Declan Dooley, Kevin Regan was following with his son Mac who plays under 15’s rugby union for Claremorris and Joe McEvoy a keen hunt follower was over from Laurenstown. Wall builders Damian Carr and young son Jason were busy as were Tom McDonagh and his son Bob who followed across country. I also met landowner Donal Carroll and his children Joey and Izzy, great supporters of Connaught Rugby Union.

The huntsman had 12 ½ couple of hounds out which included Meath Foxhounds drafts Harmony and Hasty courtesy of Meath huntsman John Henry that were the lead hounds all day. The first couple of draws in briars and spinneys were blank but the followers got plenty of jumping on and off the road. The land is owned by Nora Carroll who is the mother in law of field master Jackie Lee so they were on friendly ground!

Hounds suddenly found a fox in a hedge row that broke right-handed through PJ Langans over some really big double stone walls, many with briars on top that increased the height by another two feet. They crossed a few drains and wire as they reached the back of John Hoads before twisting right-handed by Mary Morgans and back in a circle to Carrolls where they lost him. The huntsman remarked that the fox had never run that way before, obviously a travelling fox.

They drew John Carrolls and John Hoads and a farm that Jackie Lee had rented where he was grazing fourteen young unbroken horses some of which we will probably see at the Dublin Horse Show. Hounds found in thick brambles in an ancient ring fort in Mary Morgans that headed straight for Kinlough Castle to Tony O’Connor’s Rocks where they marked him also. They tried Tony O’Connors again and found in the Rocks and hunted on straight and then left-handed along the tops of the Banks which were reclaimed from the Black River, where they lost him.

After a smashing days hunting Gibbons Pub was heaving with followers after the meet, where Ronan Gibbons laid on refreshments for followers and visitors alike.

The last time I was in Brackaville at The Four Corners Inn joint master Andy Oliver proposed to his wife Saffron Hutchinson. It was also the annual Christmas tour of the hunting pubs by the hunt followers with their traditional band on the night, The Rambling Pitchforks.

The joint masters are Stephen Hutchinson who has been in office since the early 1980’s, and hunted the pack for many seasons. Stephen is the chief executive of Tayto NI and UK who have a large portfolio of companies in the group. He also is President of the Hurlingham Polo Association the governing body worldwide and he owns his own polo team in Cirencester, UK. The others are horse trainer Andy Oliver and the newly appointed master Tony Weir whose business is in heavy engineering. Travelling with Paul Kinane was farrier Ciaran Sweeney who hunts with the Westmeath Foxhounds as Shane Crabbe was in Spain for Conor Hogan’s stag party. Kinane and his wife Amy a lecturer in equine science in University of Limerick now concentrate on breeding racehorses. Their homebred progeny are coming through with Lady Stormborn by the Coolmore classic winning stallion Camelot breaking her maiden by over 20 lengths at Leopardstown recently trained by Andrew Slattery and ridden by his son Andy the new champion apprentice. She will go for a listed race next. Amy was not hunting on the day but long reining a filly by another classic winner Australia, and she has put the other youngsters through their paces under a dressage routine. They have colts by Gleneagles and Power going into training this coming season.

Ciaran Sweeney recalled breaking his collar bone hunting, and the hospital staff not being accustomed to the value of hunt followers precious well-fitting hunting coats wanted to cut off his jacket, but he managed to save it. Apparently just like wrist bands for diabetics or other conditions, there are wrist bands now for hunt followers who may have a leg injury and don’t want hospital staff cutting off their costly boots that state, ‘My boots have zips!’.

The hunt have recently made a significant investment in their kennels by adding new hound runs and lodges, with quality materials such as shuttered concrete walls, Belfast Tack sand blasted railings and Bangor Blue Slates. Former master Dr Cathal Cassidy returned from New Zealand where he is on an overseas posting to cut the tape. This was followed by the Puppy Show judged by huntsmen John Henry of the Meaths and Peter Cahill of the Kildares. The clubhouse was heaving to capacity for the Hunt Black Tie Gala Dinner with over 100 dinner guests and a musical evening with a talented soprano Helene Hutchinson, When she had completed her performance at the dinner she went out with Dr Cassidy to the kennels and sang to the hounds. They responded by joining her in the chorus and it made wonderful harmony. And yes they were singing in key! Ryan Carvill who is one of the foremost breeders of hounds in Ireland has over 50 couple in kennels and has three hounds in pup to three Peterborough champions, Grove & Rufford Laxton, Saxton and Broker. Tommy Considine from Spancil Hill in County Clare hunted the East Clare Harriers and whipped into the County Clares before taking up the role as professional whipper in to the South Tyrone, and he remarked, ‘This is real hunting’. His parents Joe who hunted with the County Clares for over 30 seasons and his mother Eva were there to support him as was his girlfriend Aoidhinn Bannon who was hunting.

Farrier Evan McKillian was busy at the meet replacing a shoe on Kinane’s new hunter from the Golden Vale. His well-known hunter Dexter has gone to the VWH with Melanie Duff. Also out were Austin Weir, John Keys, Denis Canavan, Neil Currie and Naomi Buchannan.

Following by road was Olivia and Toby Clowes who are based in London. Olivia had baby only 7 weeks previously but can’t wait to get back in the saddle. Also out was Colm Coney a keen wildlife follower, Cathal Farrell and Matthew Carvill. Countryman Sean ‘Duckie’ Farrell was away at a wedding in Cavan.

Huntsman Ryan Carvell had a decent pack out with 19 ½ couple all carefully bred for fox sense, drive and voice. Clarkes off the Tullabeg Road across from Paddy McEvoys the former hunt honorary treasurer was blank. It was an epic moment for me in all my years reporting on the South Tyrone Foxhounds, I actually witnessed a gate being opened! Toby Clowes the son in law of senior master Stephen Hutchinson opened it for his father in law. In Stephen’s defence I have to say he did not ask for the gate to be opened and anyway hounds were not hunting at the time. But still it is a rare occurrence in these parts.

The shucks in Alister Turtles were blank, so the huntsman crossed the road opposite Raughans to Raymond and Angus McAteers where hounds spoke briefly in a big blackthorn hedge but it looked as if a fox had left earlier. It was like an engine starting and then gaining momentum as hounds feathered away on a line, and as time went on their voices got stronger. By now their voices were booming. The list of farms that they crossed was like reading all the folios of every field in the townland around Brackaville and Mousetown. With the going deep and the pace fast it was the survival of the fittest as hedges, drains, gates, and wire loomed up field after field. But the casualties started to mount also. Hounds were flying left-handed over O’Neills by Patsy Dowey’s yard and left again to Fred Lowes and back right-handed for Rafferty’s Hill. Then right again in direction of O’Neills of Coalisland where the fox was headed on the road by traffic and turned back in the direction of Raffertys Hill and onto McAdams and right by Stewartstown Gaelic Football Grounds. He crossed the road again by Sheila O’Neills and right for James Lowes then crossed the main Ardboe to Coalisland Road to Patsy Dowey’s farm where they marked him in the farmyard at the back of the town of Coalisland. With nothing left in the tank the huntsman wisely blew for home after a run of an hour and half.

Mark English informed me that they have had 55 fallers in 9 meets at £10 each for the Tumblers Club, the proceeds go to charity and the hunt supporters projects. The roll call on the day of fallers were huntsman Ryan Carvill, master Tony Weir, whip Paddy Considine twice, Denis Canavan and John Keys twice filmed struggling out of a river, visitor Ciaran Sweeney fell twice and was feeling proud of himself jumping a gate with a ditch on the landing side, but he proceeded to fall at a simple drain in the middle of a field! There was a sighting of honorary whipper in Paul Kinane on the ground. He apparently had a quick look around to see if anyone saw him, still holding onto the reins he vaulted back into the saddle and away. But it looks as if he owes the kitty €10! The man that keeps the tally Mark English has a very simple philosophy, ‘If you are not jumping big fences, you are not falling’.

The survivors on the day posed for a group photo, and then it was back to the Four Corners Inn for refreshments and more ‘tall stories’!