New Years Day
Hunting last week was still on the quiet side with weather conditions still making conditions very difficult. Tipperary Foxhounds managed just three days, Cashel on Wednesday, Kilcooley on Thursday and Fethard on Friday. Cashel proved a day of atrocious weather and if that was not bad enough, no fox, a blank day in driving, sleety rain.
On Thursday at Kilcooley, due to difficult travelling conditions there was a smaller field than usual at the Children’s meet. The junior and juvenile members did, however, enjoy a good afternoon’s fun around the estate with some of the more daring trying the ability of their mounts over the permanent cross-country course fences.
The weather on Friday 1st January was somewhat better but far from ideal. Due to heavy overnight frost, moving-off time was put back one hour to 12 noon. First draw at Rathvin provided a fox from the Fort that ran back over the Ballybough Road to Daly Fuels where he crossed the road at the Railway Bridge and the river to Monroe where they lost him. From the back of the gallops at Rathvin they hunted down to the Old Railway line. At Kelly’s stables the fox did a u-turn, ran back to a small pit near the avenue and to ground. Out of the main covert at Rocklow they hunted towards Powers Wood and to ground at Crehane’s Grove. The Fir Trees at Black’s Bridge proved blank. From Ballyvaden Fort a fox ran a small circle back to the fort and to ground. Finding in Powers Wood following good hound work in the covert at the Ballyvaden end. After a short, sharp run he got to ground in O’Connor’s.
Due to the last start it was now 3.15pm and it was decided not to draw Ardsallagh. A very wise decision, in hindsight, as the temperature was dropping sharply and the high ground by the Coolmoyne Road was even then rock hard. On the comparatively short runs the field of fifty-five riders enjoyed plenty of jumping and some good gallops throughout a busy day.
Sir — I wonder why, in recent times, the issue of hunting with hounds has become such an emotive topic in this country.
Perhaps it is linked to the rise of the anti-hunt lobby in Britain although I’m not sure why that should be replicated in Ireland.
Britain is particularly ashamed of its colonial past and anything that is perceived in the public eye as being connected to that past. Thus hunting, with its ancient class connotations, is an easy target for both the traditional class warriors of the left and perhaps, the larger swell of middle class liberal guilt that has found popular expression in New Labour. It is as much about class hatred as it is about animal welfare.
It will not benefit Ireland to become as safe and bland as New Labour has rendered the British countryside. The public argument against stag hunting in this country is biased and hysterical. Country life differs greatly from suburban dwelling.
Nevertheless, tolerance is the foundation of a democratic society. The decision to ban stag hunting in this country is not a victory for democracy. It is a consequence of political ransom. Rarely have government partners been so ideologically mismatched as Fianna Fail and the Greens.
The anti-hunting agenda has gathered momentum in recent years. Their opinion is valid and debate is welcome. If only it were reasoned, balanced and mature. On this issue, it is not. It is driven by the sort of shrill, condescending, self righteous spleen that emotionally strangles debate, tolerance and diversity at birth. It is the sound of jackboots marching.
The proposed ban on stag hunting is an attack on country life and a victory for mediocrity. It will render our island a little less diverse, a little less interesting, a little more legislated. All we need do now is establish some sort of useless, bland quango for “health and safety in country affairs”.
Brian Foley,
Phibsborough, Dublin 7
