These are busy days for the Kerry Hunt Club members. They’re out almost every Sunday and will be for the remainder of the fallow season in the countryside in their extensive beat. They were in Castleisland on Sunday week – where they cut quite a dash on Main Street with a pack of almost 40 horses and riders. After their traditional hot drop from Kathleen O’Connor at The Half Barrel they headed for the country out.
On the Sunday just gone, St. Brigid’s Day, the action went high country and to Scartaglin and this Sunday coming will see them heading to Brosna.
“On Sunday we headed for Sliabh Luachra countryside to Scartaglin for our annual hunt there. This is known as the
Scartaglin Long Hunt. Every year this hunt has new ground to cover which produces new challenges and, as usual, does not disappoint,” said club PRO, Rose Cotter.
“Under the watchful eye of our experienced huntsman, Fred O’Connor a large number of horses headed down the village from Lyons’ Bar with great expectations for the day ahead of them. The day produced all that was expected of it and more. There were loads of ditches, dykes and clear jumping with plenty of challenges and cantering to be had,” said Rose.
“We would like to take the opportunity to thank Lyons Bar for their warm and homely welcome, the landowners and all those who organised such an excellent day out and to anyone who helped in any way.
We can’t forget to thank the O’Connor family of musical and culinary fame for providing such beautiful, wholesome and hot food on our hungry and cold return back to the village.
We would also like to extend our deepest sympathy to the O’Connor and Brosnan families, Scartaglin, on the death of Jack O’Connor RIP at the weekend,” she concluded.