New members sought as Walsh revives Hunt
Hunting in County Roscommon is to resume next month, just a few weeks after the formal ‘winding up’ of the long established Roscommon Hunt.
Well-known hunting enthusiast Oliver Walsh is the man behind the revival. Mr. Walsh says he was approached by a number of people in County Roscommon with a view to continuing the sport.
The opening meet will take place on Sunday, October 3rd at 12 noon in Lecarrow. This will be a fundraising event for the Lecarrow Benevolent Fund.
In the Roscommon People dated 27th of August last, the outgoing Roscommon Hunt Chairman Micheál Curley had confirmed that the hunt was ceasing after 21 years. However, the absence of hunting will be short-lived, after Mr. Walsh, a prominent figure in hunting circles who was a huntsman with the County Roscommon Hunt for twenty seasons, moved to revive the sport locally.
“I was approached by a number of people in the county with a view to continuing the hunt and we are due to begin the season on October 3rd,” Mr. Walsh commented.
“There is a great history of hunting in County Roscommon and there is excellent drystock grazing land with plenty of stone walls for jumping so there has always been a love of hunting and an excellent relationship with landowners over many years”.
Hunting will take place every Sunday at venues throughout Co. Roscommon. Dates for the season will be confirmed at a later stage. The season will also feature a number of outings to Flowerhill Equestrian Centre (near Portumna) to take part in cross-country treks. There will also be social gatherings.
Mr. Walsh said he is keen to see new members joining the Hunt which “aims to be a real grassroots organisation, grounded in the local community”.
“I would love to see the sons and daughters of landowners getting involved as we need more young people. We have an excellent working history with landowners throughout County Roscommon and we are indebted to them for their cooperation over the years and we would like to continue that relationship.
“The past year or more of the Covid pandemic has been difficult for everyone. What better way to get fresh air and enjoy the countryside than to get involved in hunting – it’s a fantastic outdoor sport and recreation pastime,” he added.
*If you would like to find out more about hunting in Co. Roscommon, call 087 3843844 or 087 2570221 or email westsideequestrian@gmail.com
