Visitor Tony Holdsworth, retired huntsman for the Duke of Beafort’s (UK) wears the green livery of his former hunt. Center is Denis Gilmartin, Master and huntsman of the North Tipperary. To the right on the gray is Rose Scanlon, mounted side-saddle. To the right again, on the gray and bay horses, are Loughton House hosts, Dr. Michael Lyons and Dr. Andrew Vance, MFH. / Catherine Power photo
It’s been a couple of seasons since we were with the North Tipperary Foxhounds (IRE). A visit was overdue, so when we heard through Arabella Scanlon whom we met last year in East Clare that a very special lawn meet was upcoming at Loughton House, we jumped at the opportunity. Set in more than a hundred acres of fabulous park and farmland in the small village of Moneygall, the eighteen-bedroom estate straddles the Tipperary-Offaly border and, likewise, the border between the North Tipperary and Ormond hunting countries.
Loughton is just a stone’s throw from Barak Obama Plaza. The U.S. President, traveling in the footsteps of his mother’s family, visited Moneygall in 2011.
Loughton House was built in 1777 with additions added by the Pain Brothers in 1835. Listed in the Irish National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, the house has very fine detailing and is considered by many to be the Pains’ finest classical work.
It was built by Lieutenant General Benjamin Bloomfield, a British Army officer who had seen action during the Irish Rebellion in the eighteenth century. He became a Member of Parliament for Plymouth in 1812 and served as Private Secretary to King George IV from 1817 to 1822. This was the same King George against whom the American Colonies revolted in 1776.
Built by Lord Bloomfield back in the day, it remained in the extended family until it was bought by Dr. James Reilly, TD (delegate in the lower house of Ireland’s parliamentary system) and former Irish Minister for Health. Some three years ago it was again put on the market and was bought by two doctors, one of medicine, Dr. Andrew Vance, and Dr. Michael Lyons, a doctor of science—both dedicated foxhunters.
Dr. Andrew Vance, MFH, and Dr. Michael Lyons host the North Tipps at Loughton. / Catherine Power photo
Dr. Andrew Vance grew up in Scarva House with the sounds of kennels in his ears. His Dad was the famed Billy Vance who hunted the Fermanagh Harriers for fifty-four seasons. From Dr. Andrew’s earliest days he was out on his pony turning hounds to his dad, with mother and other family members filling various roles in the hunting field. Medicine beckoned, and he went on to become a GP currently practising in greater Manchester. Dr. Michael Lyons, who now works with Astra Zeneca, grew up in Lismore where he would have hunted with the Lismore Harriers then hunted by Jackie Houlihhan.
Huntsman Denis Gilmartin, MFH, blows hounds off. / Catherine Power photoSo it seemed a natural progression that both good doctors became masters of Loughton House, and Dr. Andrew went on to join Denis Gilmartin in the Mastership of the North Tipps.
For a couple of generations Loughton had lost its connection with hunting, but as our day with the North Tipperary exemplified, it is now back with a bang! Houses like Loughton were designed and built for sporting entertainment and country hospitality. On this day it filled both roles admirably. The drawing room, as big as many sand arenas, was bursting at the seams with an overflow in the hall and some adventurers spilling out on to the lawn. Palliative drinks were offered in abundance, and, in particular, a brand new Gin. Aptly named Silver Fox Gin, it is distilled and produced by no less a hunting figure than Tony Holdsworth, the recently retired huntsman of the Duke of Beaufort’s Foxhounds.*
Tony arrived to hunt, laden with a copious supply both for sale and sampling. He has spent the last thirty-five years working in the great outdoors and claims extensive experience with having tasted the finest of gins. Thus, the birth of Silver Fox Gin was inevitable.
Andrew’s mother, Maeve Vance, who still practices as a veterinary surgeon was there to offer support and enjoy the occasion. Former hunt chairman Peter McCutcheon with his wife Niamh were on hand to see the day off on a good note, as was current chairman Owen Seymour from Dromineer who was Field Master.
Ger O’Rian had made the trip south from Donegal where he is Master of the county pack. Also visiting were Michael Bevan formerly amateur whipper-in to the Fermanagh. Dickey Speight visiting from the UK had kindly been lent a horse by Aaron Jones who now lives in Busherstown House. Aaron Jones is a son of former premier league player and more recently, actor, Vinnie Jones.
Putting all the hospitality together was Sarah Langham who had migrated south from Tempo Manor, Fermanagh, to manage Loughton and take on the role which she describes as being the house scullion. Her daughter Isabella was visiting and looked very smart on a nice bay. Loughton House itself is run on a commercial basis, and is available for weddings and functions. Indeed, I met Debbie Powell from Nenagh there enjoying the hospitality who told me that her own wedding reception had taken place in Loughton, but declined to disclose how long ago!
All too soon, or so it seemed, the saddling gong sounded and the fifty or so mounted followers got on their horses for the obligatory photos with the stunning house and park in the background. Huntsman (and Master) Gilmartin’s family were well represented as well, with brother Tommie and his two children, Bobby, aged ten, and Jack, all of eight! His mother Ann was also on hand and rightly proud of her family involvement.
I really liked the huntsman’s coloured mount supplied by Fergus O’Shea, who was sadly on foot. He had broken his collar bone, but was ably represented by his children young Charlie and Calum. When not hunting Fergus manages Tommy Riggs-Miller’s farm near Nenagh. While Tommy was missing no doubt on veterinary duty, the family was represented by Dorothy whose husband is Oliver Ryan-Purcell, former Master and huntsman of the Ryan family pack, the Scarteen.
Beautifully turned out Rose Scanlon suggesting images of the days of Somerville and Ross / Catherine Power photoIt was a spectacular scene reminiscent of Somerville and Ross watching the field move off to the first draw off the main avenue. Giving it that extra sense of occasion was young Rose Scanlon beautifully turned out side saddle. I had first met this young fox-hunter three or four seasons ago again with the North Tipps, then on much smaller pony but equally impressive. Gone are the tweeds; she has graduated to full side saddle regalia but minus the veil. Her mother Arabella—and mothers know these things—explained that it is only correct for married ladies to wear the veil.
The two whippers-in looked business-like: James O’Meara from nearby Moneygall, a Department of Agriculture official, and hunt stalwart Brian O’Slattara with Agritech, major players in seeds and minerals based near Nenagh. Some of Brian’s family, Brianna, Daragh, and Hannah were all well mounted and impeccably turned out. His brother Seamus was out also, but only in the car serving on family duty.
Hounds didn’t have long to wait before a fine dog fox was viewed slipping away by no less than Tony Holdsworth, looking particularly smart in the green Duke of Beaufort livery, complete with buttons up the back. Although scent was never better than patchy, hounds hunted very well. Our pilot took the field for a guided tour of the park, and just when he appeared to be setting his mask for Cloughjordan, huntsman had to lift hounds before reaching the main road and its attendant motorway.
Hounds drew on towards Borrisnafarney Church, then through Robert Hodgins’ extensive farm, crossing the Alaton River into more Hodgins land, this time, Ken Hodgins’. Hounds found near Harney’s gravel pit, and with scent improving, a grand dash ensued over some nice bank country. The run was not quite without incident, as Michael Lyons’s horse stumbled as they were galloping full stretch on one of the gravel pit roads and unceremoniously dropped the doctor onto his head. Happily, medical assistance was on hand, but he was declared fit to travel home by car. By suppertime he was making a reasonable amount of sense, so was deemed OK. In the meantime, the fox was marked to ground and given best. It was a happy throng that hacked back to Loughton where further hospitality and medicinal drinks were on hand.
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* Captain Ian Farquhar, MFH and huntsman at the Duke of Beaufort’s, retired as huntsman after forty-five years in 2010. He passed the horn to Tony Holdsworth who carried it for six years before retiring. See related story of Captain Farquhar’s retirement from the Mastership in this issue.
Posted January 11, 2019