Lurchers in flapper race chasing the lureThe annual Rockview Harriers Working Terrier, Hound and Lurcher Show in County Kilkenny, Ireland enjoyed a large turnout with working dog enthusiasts traveling from all over the country. The show drew representatives from England and Wales as well.
Hound showing is a sport for all ages.The show was held in the Seven Houses Coursing Grounds outside Kilkenny City in the heart of the Kilkenny Foxhounds hunting country. This was an appropriate venue for another reason as well: two of the greatest Irish greyhounds are buried alongside each other beside the grandstand. Why You Monty took the most coveted prize in coursing, the Waterloo Cup in 2003. The dog was owned by a four man syndicate: Martin Brown, former Joint-Master of the Belvoir Foxhounds and the Kilkenny Foxhounds; Sean Neary, Bernard Barry, and Pat Loughlin, Master of the Kilkenny Foxhounds, who was at the show. The other dog, Like A Shot, won the Irish Derby in 2004 and was owned by Michael Kelly.
Rory Dicker, Master of the Rockview Harriers, and his son Johnny organise this well established show. It is very much a family and friends’ effort, as Rory’s wife Mary manages the team that provide all the refreshments during the day. The Rockview Harriers are a foot pack that hunt the fox. Rory has an impressive hunting pedigree, having hunted the Kilmoganny Foxhounds for seven seasons, the Laois Foxhounds for five seasons, and the Killfeakle Beagles for three seasons before founding his own pack. Essentially a hound man, he has judged at many of the major hound shows in Ireland.
Some nine hundred people packed the grounds along with 240 terriers, 250 lurchers and 160 hounds. In addition, 130 lurchers ran in the flapper races. A variety of pet dogs were also catered to, as they were included in the competition for prizes in 43 Classes sponsored by the animal nutrition company, Red Mills. Four mounted harrier packs and ten foot packs from many parts of Ireland were represented.
As an added incentive to the winners of each class in the Rockview Harriers Show, the champion terrier and lurcher also qualified for the Earth Dog Running Dog finals to be held on August 7. The champion lurcher also qualified for the Five Nations Lurcher Championship, scheduled to be held at Birr Castle Game Fair on Sunday, August 28. The Bull Cross winner qualified for the Derbyshire Bull Cross Final on August 7, while the Flapper Racing After Showing qualified for the Master McGrath Challenge being held also at Shane’s Castle Game Fair on Saturday, June 25.
The judges of the hound classes were Billy Connors, former huntsman of The Island Foxhounds in County Wexford, and Brian Murphy, whipper-in to the Kilkenny Foxhounds. Shane Farrell from Northern Ireland judged the Lurcher Classes, Stephen Barrett from Cork judged the Terrier Classes, and Stephen McCarthy from Kilkenny judged the Pet Classes. Another member of the team, Keith Murphy, and his crew from Waterford ran the flapper races.
Other shows to look forward to this summer are the Kilworth & Araglin Harriers Hunt Club Dog Show based in County Cork on Sunday, June 26, and Coolnakilla Harriers Hunt Club Dog Show & Sheepdog Trials on Sunday, July 10.
Story and photos by Noel Mullins.
Posted June 13, 2011
Aine O’Brien of the West Wexford Harriers with Langton, Champion Hound of the Show
Judges McDonnell and Murphy with second and third place Entered Harrier Bitches, Galexy and Garnish, and handler Louis Goodwin