By Tom Fulton
Hunting Roundup NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE IMFHA David Lalor MFH, having been in office for over five years, has stood down as Chairman of the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association. His term of office has seen hunting beset by a number of issues, including the pandemic and the ongoing insurance difficulty which, at the time of writing, are both unresolved. David has put a lot of time and effort into confronting these issues and deserves great credit for the leadership he has provided. He has been succeeded by Lord Waterford MFH of the eponymous Waterford Foxhounds.
Ward Union Staghounds huntsman stands down At the Ward Union Staghounds huntsman Pat Coyle has stood down after some forty years in the post. No other Hunt has undergone more changes to its position within the law as the
Wards and Pat Coyle has been in the forefront of dealing with these changes while maintaining good sport for demanding, hard riding fields. Pat took over from his uncle, Eamon Dunphy, who had hunted these hounds since 1969. As his health declined Eamon Dunphy handed over to Pat, initially temporarily, before Pat became the huntsman in 1984. Over the years Pat built up a very strong relationship with farmers and other land owners, which has been of vital importance in the efforts to keep the Hunt’s position as strong as it is. Not least, the most important factor in this relationship is the very successful knackery business which is so beneficial to the farmers and thus keeps the Hunt in their minds. In addition to his management of the kennels, hounds, horses and the knackery Pat also had a deer herd to oversee which is another area where he has become an acknowledged authority. Pat tells me that despite no longer hunting hounds
Pat Coyle (l) has stood fown as huntsman of the Ward Union Staghounds. 40
Spring 2022 Irish Country Sports and Country Life
he will remain involved as he will be engaged with the knackery and general kennel business. He is immensely proud of the fact that his youngest son, Joseph, is now whipping-in at the Duhallow Foxhounds in Co Cork, though Joseph tells me that between Covid and the insurance difficulties he has not seen any hunting. Even cursory examination of Pat Coyle’s general workload and overall contribution to the Wards shows that, if any man deserves a long and happy retirement then that man is Pat Coyle. He takes with him the very best wishes of everyone at the Wards and far beyond for that long and happy retirement.
AROUND THE MEETS The Iveagh Foxhounds met at the Gall Bog Inn, outside Kinallen Co Down, then hacked from there to Mount Ida after sampling the McCusker family’s hospitality. The mounted field of fifteen included guests Pat Hayes MFH (Duhallow, Co
