Helpers on the stand on Tuesday Kate Jarvey MFH (Duhallow) Liam Clancy ,Catherine Power and Aurora Dunbal

HAI at the RDS

The HAI stand at the RDS was a great success and was a hive of activity over the five days.

A huge number of volunteers turned up to man the stand. Among the volunteers were Aurora Dunval, Catherine and Dickie Power, Kate Jarvey, Johnnie McCoy, Liam Clancy, Eddy Cahill, Dee Cusack, Eleanor Harty, David Lalor Imelda and Michael McMahon, Michael Farrely, Jim Murphy, David and Declan Bourke, Jim Murphy, Niall OCallaghan, Neill Henry, Joe Griffin and John Donnelly

Photo by Catherine Power www.foxtrot.ifp3.com

Birr Game Fair

Birr Castle
August 28th 29th

The Great Game Fairs of Ireland provide the premier competition for clay shooting, fishing, gundogs and Terriers & Lurchers with some amazing prizes on offer.
Birr Game Fair

Westmeath Foxhounds parading Photos Brian Adamson 0877727107

Hunting Extravaganza

BALLYMACAD HUNTING EXTRAVAGANZA
SUNDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2010

Ballymacad Hunting Extravaganza

The sun shone on the Ballymacads last Sunday 12th September at Sallymount House as in excess of a thousand people gathered to watch their first staging of The Hunting Horse competition. The lightweight was won in spectacular style by Susan Oakes who rode side saddle & she later went on to take the Supreme Champion. Frances Molloy from the Kilmoganny ‘s took the heavyweight section. The women kept the upperhand on the day when Vicky Sherwood won the gate jumping competition clearing 1metre 48 in fine style, thrilling the spectators.
The Inter Hunt Chase didn’t disappoint & provided all the usual thrills & spills & gasps as the Killinicks beat the Ward Union in the final.
History was made as neighbouring packs the Meaths, Louths, Westmeaths & the hosts the Ballymacad Foxhounds all paraded their hounds through the picturesque grounds of Sallymount House which was truly a wonderful sight. The Westmeath Beagles ( a footpack ) were also paraded.
Spectators also had Tug o Wars, Vintage Machinery, Dog Shows, Pet Farms, Pony Rides, Bouncy Castles & lots more to keep them amused for a sunny afternoon celebrating a great day out in the countryside.

... read more

Galway Blazers Web Site

The Co Galway Hunt (The Blazers) have just launched a new web site
Galway Blazers
Well worth a visit.

HAI Calendar 2012

HAI Calendar 2012
The 2012 HAI calendar is now available and can be purchased by PAY PAL or cheque. Hunts included in the photos include Ward Union, Premier Harriers, Muskerry Fox Hounds, Laois and Scarteen. Calendars are available at €10 plus €2 post and pack per order
We would like to thank our advertisers and supportes who have generously supported the calendar. All proceeds go to support hunting

IMFHA elect new Chairman

Rupert McCauley elected chairman of IMFHA

On the retirement of George Chapman ,Rupert McCauley was elected chairman of the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association. Rupert brings a lifetime of hunting to the role being master and huntsman of the West Wicklow Fox Hounds. He was formerly master and amateur huntsman of the Kildare Foxhounds for many seasons and is a former chairman of the HAI.
George Chapman , Master of the Island Fox Hounds has been chairman for the last four seasons. He steered hunting through turbulent times with an openly “anti” minister for the environment in office.
We can only wish Rupert a successful chairmanship and I’m sure hunting can only prosper with such experience at the helm

HAI CALENDARS 2010

If you have any photo’s for the 2010 HAI calendar please forward them to Eddy Cahill at eddycahill@hai.ie before 30th September.

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Gormley accused......

Gormley accused of ‘agenda’ in hunt ban
By Grainne Cunningham
Wednesday December 16 2009

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley is to press ahead with legislation banning stag-hunting with hounds despite mounting opposition from hunting groups across the country.

A spokesman for the minister said yesterday that the heads of the bill were currently being drafted and would be published early in the new year.

Following a mass meeting of hunting groups opposed to the ban in Trim, Co Meath, on Monday night, the spokesman stressed: “This legislation does not have any implications for any other country pursuits such as fox-hunting, hare-coursing or shooting.”

He said Mr Gormley believed that the practice had to end “on animal welfare and public safety grounds”. Last Friday, a stag was put down after running on to a public road during a hunt and colliding with a car.

In another incident in Kildalkey in Co Meath in 2007, a stag being chased by the Ward Union Hunt ran into the grounds of a primary school, provoking complaints from local parents.

Yesterday, spokesman for Ward Union Hunt Ronan Griffin rejected any suggestion that the proposed legislation would affect only stag-hunting. He said the laws being introduced in relation to the maintenance of kennels would be too stringent and expensive for smaller packs to meet, forcing them out of existence.

... read more

Jim Murphy Irish Field Letter

Madam, The recent interview with Green Party Deputy Leader, Mary White, in the Irish Field (Dec 19th 2009), will be received with derision and contempt by the Fieldsports community in Ireland. It beggers belief that she should try to present a version of Green Party Policy that is so utterly at odds with the facts. Indeed the animal rights activists in the Green Party have already stated that the ban on fur-farming and stag-hunting is only the beginning and that fishing (angling), shooting and all other fieldsports are next on the list. These are the same people who recently held the country to ransom during the renegotiated Programme for Government.

... read more

RISE! Rally Cashel

Hundreds attend RISE! Campaign demo in Cashel, county Tipperary
Local organisers say that up to five hundred supporters of the RISE! Rural Ireland Says Enough! Campaign have taken part in a demo in Cashel, county Tipperary, in defence of traditional rural sports like hunting, coursing and shooting.

The demo was planned to coincide with a Fianna Fail regional conference taking place in the town.

The demo assembled in the Main Street, from 10 a.m. onwards, and shortly after 11 a.m. marched to the Bru Boru Centre where the Fianna Fail conference was taking place. Members and supporters of mounted and foot hunts, coursing clubs and gun clubs, mainly from across county Tipperary and neighbouring counties, took part.

A spokesman for RISE! told the national and local media: ‘The demo was calling on the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, to step back from his plans and to consult with the people directly affected by his proposals. We are warning Fianna Fail that they need to wake up to what’s going on in their own Government’.

Dick Chapman Huntsman Stonehall Harriers with hounds also Michael O\'Shaughnessy MH, PJ Dore ,Judges Kate Jarvey MFH, Dickie Power with event organizer Tom Geary MH

Harrier Hound Show at Stradbally

National Hound Show Stradbally

Last years National HAI Harrier Show which was held last year in conjunction with the Hunting Festival was be held this year in conjunction with the National Hound Show on Sunday July 4th

For results “read more”
For Foxhound results visit
Foxhound Results
, please see photos

... read more

Latest re Animal Welfare Bill

Update (From RISE)

We are disappointed that we did not secure the exemption of hunt kennels from the Bill, as promised in writing by the Minister, John Gormley TD.

However, we will work constructively with the Government to ensure that the various undertakings given to us yesterday by the Taoiseach are honoured in full. We trust that our concerns will be taken on board at the stage when Regulations under the Bill are being drafted.

Trim Rally

A clear and unambiguous message to Fianna Fail TDs: vote down Gormley’s Bills next week or pay the price by losing your seat’
Speech by Des Crofton, National Director, National Association of Regional Game Councils at the RISE! Rally, Trim, County Meath on Saturday 26th June. The RISE! Campaign has organised the Rally to give the people of Meath, North Dublin and beyond, an opportunity to show their support for the Ward Union Hunt, which John Gormley proposes to ban.

The revised programme for government agreed between Fianna Fail and the Green Party will go into the records as one the most shameful deals ever perpetrated on rural people by an Irish Government. Field sports are under attack and I am sorry to say our own Government is leading it. And lest there be any doubt about it, the blame rests entirely with Fianna Fail. When Fianna Fail agreed to allocate responsibility for hunting to a Green Minister, it was tantamount to putting the fox in charge of the chicken coup. The Fianna Fail/Green deal on the Ward Union Stag Hunt and on puppy farms is about to become the most politically costly act by Fianna Fail in terms of so much goodwill squandered at such a high cost. Some Fianna Fail backbenchers have said their party was “sleep walked” into this deal by Noel Dempsey. If they realise that, then they should wake up!

... read more

Dog Breeding Bill

Government Press Statement
Concessions offered to the Greyhound Industry & Hunting Association:

Friday 2nd July 2010

The Dog Breeding Establishment Bill will set out standards required for the welfare of all dogs while protecting our dog industry .This bill will help to enhance our international reputation amongst the dog industry and also prevent any puppy farms from neglecting their dogs.

The Department of Agriculture will amend the 1958 Greyhound Industry Act, to legislate for welfare provisions for members of the Irish Greyhound Board. Once amended, the welfare of IGB registered greyhounds would be addressed through this amended 1958 Act.

Minister John Gormley will delay the signing of the commencement order of the welfare sections of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2009 until 1 January, 2011 to allow for the introduction of these amendments into the 1958 Greyhound Industry Act.

Greyhounds:

• Increased powers to the inspectors of Bord na gCon who will hold joint inspections with Local Authority Inspectors.
• Continue tattooing as the method of traceability
• Veterinary Inspector approval for a fitness cert to allow a bitch to breed more than 3 litters in 3 years if deemed safe.
• Register of Greyhounds to be put on a statutory basis.
• IGB Registered trainers will be exempt from the fee for registration purposes.
• Review of legislation to include all aspects of dog industry.

Hunting Dogs

• Three month consultation with associations prior to regulations being introduced.
• The regulations will be sufficiently flexible to accommodate the needs of specific groupings, that is hunt dogs, for whom it is recognised that communal sleeping facilities are most appropriate.
• Exemption of fees for Hunting Dog kennels.
• Continue tattooing as the method of traceability.
• There will also be a requirement that such tattoos be registered on a database for traceability purposes.
• Review of legislation to include all aspects of dog industry.

... read more

Ploughing Athy 2010

HAI were present for the three days of the National Ploughing Championship in Athy.
The stand was a hive of activity with members friends and farmers visirting in huge numbers. Among the politicians were Mattie McGrath TD (Tipperary Sth) and Maire Hoctor (Tipperary Nth)
Thanks to the many volounteers who manned the stand over the three days
Othe hunting activity included a display of hounds by the Carlow Farmers Hunt on Thursday and the junior hunt chase on Wednesday and the senior on Thursday. The senior event was won by the Killinck Harriers with the Roscommon Harriers second

Huge crowd at Ward Union open day

Ward Union News

The Ward Union held their opening meet last Friday
A very successful day’s hunting ensued
Further details to follow
DP_
================================

The Ward Union Hunt’s Open Day was held on Saturday, 23rd October, at the hunt kennels near Dunshaughlin, county Meath.

Captions below for the attached pics by freelance photographer Kieran Maguire (087-6851115)

Large Crowd
The best part of a thousand people – hunt members, local farmers, supporters and followers of all ages – were at the Ward Union Hunt’s kennels near Dunshaughlin, county Meath, for the Hunt’s Open Day. ‘We’ve no way of knowing exactly how many people were here, but we ordered in five hundred burgers and two thousand sausages – and they’ve all been eaten! We’re delighted at the level of interest and support shown by so many people’, a hunt spokesman said.

... read more

Eddy Cahill Jim Murphy and Martin Laffan of Irish Trailer Sales

HAI Raffle

The annual HAI draw was recently held at the Castle Arms Hotel Durrow . First prize a magnificent new double horse box was won by Hayley McDonald Maganey Co Carlow
This was sponsored by Martin Laffan of Irish Trailer Sales Stradbally.
Second prize of a Waterboy horse washer was won by Renata Coleman of Humewood co Wicklow .Third prize of a pair of DuBarry boots was won by John Hanlon Rathcoole Co. Dublin Many thanks to all who helped sell tickets and a special thanks to Eddy Cahill HAI fund raiser without whom it would not have happened

Horse Sport Ireland

HAI Affiliate to Horse Sport Ireland

Horse Sport Ireland has confirmed that the Hunting Association of Ireland (HAI) has been accepted as an Affiliate body to Horse Sport Ireland.

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said:

“Hunting is a hugely significant aspect of the Sport Horse Sector and it is a very important market for Irish-bred horses,” he said.

Last year over 6,000 horses hunted in Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland is keen to work with the HAI to record more breeding details for these horses.

“With our new online database ‘CapallOir’ now in place we are keen to record details of our hunting horses. We believe that this information would be of interest to prospective purchasers of Irish horses and would add value to our mare herd,” he said.

David Lalor of the Hunting Association of Ireland said that the organisation was pleased to affiliate to Horse Sport Ireland.

“It is vital for hunting to be at the heart of the Sport Horse Sector and we will be attending our first meeting of the HSI Sport Sub Board next Monday in Horse Sport Ireland and we are looking forward to playing our part in the sector,” he said.

ENDS

Photo by Catherine Power www.foxtrot.ifp3.com

IMFHA appoint new Hon. Sec

IMFHA appoint Hon Sec
Sonya Purcell has recently been appointed Hon Sec of the Irish Masters of Foxhounds
From Emly, Co Tipperary , she comes from a strong hunting family being the daughter of Philip and Maura Purcell. She is sales manager for an international food company in Ireland and has hunted all her life. She comes from a family steeped in hunting and rarely misses a day particularly at weekends

Trim Castle HAI Rally

Almost two thousand members and supporters of the Ward Union Hunt held a “monster rally” last week in opposition to plans to ban stag hunting.
The hunt, which operates in Co Meath and north Co Dublin, is furious at the ban proposed by Minister for the Environment John Gormley. They have accused him of vindictively singling them out as they are the only licensed stag hunt in the country.
National Hunt jockey Paul Carberry, who is a Ward Union member, wrote an open letter to Taoiseach Brian Cowen last week warning him that Fianna Fail TDs would pay the price at the next election if the ban was implemented.

... read more

Primal instinct.......

Primal instinct is a much-loved part of rural life
By CAITRIONA MURPHY
Tuesday December 15 2009

The Ward Union Hunt is once again in the eye of the storm.

After 155 years, the famous stag hunt faces the prospect of being effectively closed down by Environment Minister John Gormley, who wants to revoke the club’s licence to hunt deer.

The 300,000 people who hunt every year fear that Mr Gormley’s intention to outlaw deer hunting with hounds could sound the death knell for all types of hunting.

For the rural community, hunting has always been a part of life, another beat in the annual rhythm of farming, fishing and shooting.

... read more

Ward Union RISE to the occasion Photo by Catherine Power www.foxtrot.ifp3.com

HAI Day at the Punchestown Racing Festival 2010

A huge crowd of hunt supporters turned out for the HAI Punchestown day on Tuesday. Not only were they treated to a great day’s racing but also a spectacular parade of both the Ward Union and Woodstown Harriers. This took place between the fifth and sixth race on the main straight opposite the stands and was covered on live TV. The Wards were led by huntsman Pat Coyle assisted by Darren Cambell and amateur whip Kieran Ryan. The Woodstown were led by huntsman Stephen Farrel assisted by John Widger (riding a coloured stallion) and Eamonn Kent.It was ironic that as thousands cheered the two hunts Minister Gormley was introducing legislation in the Dail to ban the Ward Union Stag Hounds and end a tradition that runs for over 150 years. RISE had their own stand and enjoyed huge support gaining many thousands of signatures for the campaign Further photos can be viewed by visiting Photo Gallery

... read more

Co. Limerick Hunt Draw

County Limerick Hunt Subscription Draw

First Prize: full Subscription for the 2010/11 season

Second Prize: two days’ visitor’s cap (2 days houseguest cap for existing subscribers)

Third Prize: one day’s visitor’s cap (2 days free cap for existing subscribers)

Tickets €30 each or €100 for a book of 4

Draw to take place end of October 2010

for information contact Jess on 0851905773
or Matthew on 0861998464

*Political Alert*

Time is of the essence

Within the next three weeks the fate of hunting in Ireland will be determined.
The Dail rises for the Summer recess in mid July.
It appears that Minister Gormley, under pressure from his animal rights wing, is determined to bring his two anti hunting bills before the Dail .
While time is tight it would be just possible for him to get his legislation enacted before the Dail rises. Once on the statute book it will be much more difficult to reverse
It is now more important than ever to lobby all TD’s and senators of all parties but especially Fianna Fail
Below is a list of Fianna Fail TD’s with their E mail addresses *Just click on the TD of your choice and copy his address to your E Mail
The future of hunting depends on you*

CcAn Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD
taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie

... read more

Gormley Lays Down the Gauntlet

RISE! responds as Gormley lays down the gauntlet
Posted on June 18, 2010 by Rural Ireland Says Enough!
What is happening?

The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley TD, has laid down the gauntlet ‘big time’ to the RISE! Campaign.

The Campaign has decided on a series of initiatives to defeat his proposals and prevent him achieving his stated aim of bringing the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill and the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill into law before the middle of July.

... read more

Cavan County Council Supports RISE!

Cavan becomes the eighth county council to back RISE!
Posted on June 18, 2010 by Rural Ireland Says Enough!
Cavan county council has become the eighth county council to adopt a motion supporting the RISE! campaign. These motions are being sent directly to the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley TD, and help to convey the depth of anger being felt countrywide at his damaging attacks on hunting and other traditional rural pursuits.

... read more

Hunt Directory

We are currently up-dating details on the directory section of the web-site
Hunt secretaries who wish to have their listing of personelle etc for the coming season up-dated should forward detais to hunting@hai.ie or click on the contact button

Irish Times Hunting

Kevin O’Connor has a superb article on hunting in the Irish Times. To read visit
Irish Times Hunting Article
and e mail your support to the author

Kevin Myers

Kevin Myers on The Green Party

Kevin Myers has an excellent and hard hitting piece in today’s (Thursday 14th) Independent
You may read by visiting Kevin Myers
E Mail your support by clicking on KevinMyers

Letter in Irsh Examiner

What you need to be a Green senator

Monday, March 29, 2010

AS a member of the Green party I wish to congratulate our newest senator, Mark Deary from Louth, on his recent appointment to the Seanad.

Here he joins our other two senators, Niall O’Brolcháin and Dan Boyle, surely a great achievement for such a small party, and what makes it even more significant is that none of them has had to face the rigours (and uncertainty) of a Seanad election, but have been appointed by the Taoiseach.

... read more

Croi Challenge

Saddle Up calling all Cowboys!

If you have ever dreamt of living and working like a cowboy, now is your chance, while at the same time supporting the fight against heart disease!

Heart Charity Croí are looking for Cowboys & Cowgirls to participate in their annual week-long Cowboy Challenge at a real life working cattle ranch in Denver, Colorado, USA.

... read more

Campaign News

News

On Radio 1’s “Countrywide” this morning, Trevor Sargent TD of the Green Party again repeated the assertion that the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill is on the Programme for Government, as agreed with Fianna Fail in October of 2009.

This is entirely incorrect. John Gormley’s Bill is not in the Programme for Government. It is purely a Green Party initiative.

Trevor Sargent attempted to play down the impact this Bill will have on hunting in Ireland and tried to give the impression that the Minister has consulted widely with hunting people. He has not. Minister Gormley has consistently turned down requests from the HAI to meet with him to discuss this Bill.

... read more

Wildlife Amendment Bill

Dail passes Wildlife Bill by 75 votes to 72
Posted on June 29, 2010 by Rural Ireland Says Enough!
The Dail has passed all stages of the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill by 75 votes to 72. Mattie McGrath TD (Tipperary South) voted against the Bill, as well as Independents Michael Lowry, Jackie-Healy-Rae and Joe Behan.

Fianna Fail have removed the Party Whip from Deputy McGrath. The Labour Party has removed the Whip from Tommy Broughan TD because he refused to follow a party instruction to vote against the Bill.

The Bill goes to the Seanad tomorrow.

RISE! thanks and salutes all those principled TDs who stood with us tonight.

Group at the AGM of the IMHA meeting in Kilcornan Front row L to R Dick Doocey incoming president, Tom Geary MH hon sec Austin Fitzpatrick MH Chairman , Hugh O’Donovan and Michael O’Shaughnessy MH Photo by Dickie Power

Irish Masters of Harriers AGM

IRISH MASTERS OF HARRIERS
ASSOCIATION AGM

The AGM of the Irish Masters of Harriers Association took place on Sat 10th September in the Kilcornan Community Hall, Co Limerick. Special Guest Speaker was Mr Jim Murphy, recent Chairman of the HAI and was chairman of the Irish Foot-Harriers for many years. He was also Director of Hunting with Hounds with FACE Ireland. This years AGM was hosted by the Stonehall Harriers Hunt Club as part of their centenary celebrations. The Stonehall Harriers have always enjoyed a special place in the loyalty and affection of Shannonsiders by their conduct and contributions to the local community.

Outgoing IMHA President Mr Hugh O’Donovan, Upton Harriers, having served three years, welcomed the delegates and wished the meeting well. He raised a wide range of issues
but said that that disunity and infighting within hunts and between hunts was our biggest concern. He said we should do more to bring all hunts under the recognised associations and that delegates should air their opinion and views in an open and cordial way.

... read more

Left to right Mrs. Caroline Corballis and Mrs. Kate Jarvey MFH both retiring from the Committee

IMFHA Annual General Meeting

The IMFHA (Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association) held their AGM at Goff’s, Co. Kildare on Sunday the 09th of October.

The Chairman, Mr. George Chapman MFH announced his intention to retire as Chairman of the association but intends to remain on the committee . As per the IMFHA election procedure, a new Chairman will be elected at the first committee meeting held after the AGM which is expected to occur in November.
Mr. Craig Cavan MFH proposed a vote of thanks to George for the tireless work George has put in all over the country representing foxhunting – this was unanimously supported by all present at the A.G.M.

Presentations were made to Mrs. Kate Jarvey MFH and Mrs. Caroline Corballis who are retiring from the committee. James Phelan (PRO) is stepping back as he is moving to Hong Kong on a permanent basis later this month. Look out for a few new faces on the IMFHA committee this season!

END

Donal Boyle with Dickie Power at Punchestown

Donal Boyle elected Chairman HAI

At the recent AGM Donal Boyle representing the IMHA was eleced chairman .Donal who comes from Ardfinnan in Co Tipperary has a long and distinguished record of service to hunting. He comes from a family steepted in hunting. He is a founder member and former chairman of the Premier Harriers as well as having been chairman of both FACE and the IMHA. In addition he is a director of the RISE campaign. He breeds both TB and sport horses.His son Paddy carries on the family tradition and hunts with the Premier’s the sixth generation of his family to hunt

Roscrea Protest

*200 RISE! supporters in Roscrea demo against Taoiseach

More than two hundred supporters of the rural organisation RISE! took part in a demo to mark the Taoiseach’s visit to Roscrea, county Tipperary, to officially open a new leisure centre.

RISE! Rural Ireland Says Enough! was formed in January by sixteen hunting organisations to promote and defend traditional rural sports like hunting, coursing, shooting and angling against Green Party proposals.

The Taoiseach arrived at the leisure centre on the old Dublin Road just before 12.30 pm. The RISE! demonstrators were in place from 10.30 am.

The demo was mainly focussed on supporters in county Tipperary and includeD members of local mounted and foot hunts, gun clubs and anglers.

A spokesperson for RISE! said: ‘Today’s demo is a ‘wake up’ call to the Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil that they are being sleepwalked into legislative attacks on hunting and other traditional rural sports by a tiny,unrepresentative Green Party. It is time for FF representatives to stop all the talk and waffling about the Dog Breeders Bill and the proposed ban on the Ward Union hunt and to stand up to the Greens.’

-ENDS –

Jim Murphy Chairman HAI

Jim Murphy New Chairman HAI

HAI has pleasure in announcing the appointment of Jim Murphy as chairman HAI, He replaces David Lalor whose term of office had ended. The chairmanship rotates between the constituent bodies on an annual basis. The IFHA (Irish Foot Harriers Association) nominated Jim as Chairman .

Jim Murphy has had a life-long association with hunting and has been a trojan worker over the years promoting and defending the sport. Origionally from Bruree in Limerick he now lives in Farran in Cork and hunts with the Templemartin and Mosgrove Harriers,
He can be contacted on 087 9577488
David Wilkinson replaces Jim as Director of Hunting with Hounds on FACE

Ward Union Press Release

The Ward Union Hunt is gearing up to campaign against the Programme for Government plan to end stag hunting. “We are confident we will have the full support of all involved in hunting , horse racing, shooting, fishing, farming and those living in rural Ireland,” says Christy Reynolds, the Hunt’s Chairman.

The Programme for Government, under the section headed, Animal Welfare, includes an “End to Stag Hunting”. The Ward Union Hunt conserves an original Irish Red Deer Herd. Many people still operate under the misperception that stag are hunted and killed by the W.U.H. On a hunting day a stag is released, recaptured and returned safe and sound to the W.U.H. maintained deer -park reservation.

Each healthy and strong male (stag) in the herd is hunted just once a year, under constant supervision of Department of the Environment Wild Life Officers and Veterinarians. The Stag is health checked before and after a hunt and to date through exhaustive and extensive monitoring, no excess stress levels have been recorded as it is perfectly natural for a flight animal, like a stag, to be hunted. “It will be interesting to see how legally the Government will make a scientific case on welfare grounds that the stag is unduly stressed, when the DOE’s own monitoring has not found that to be the case” concluded Christy Reynolds.

Issued by;

Ronan Griffin
Hon. Secretary

... read more

Ward Union Rally

Ward Union HAI Monster Rally
For Trim Monday 14th of December

Christy Reynolds, The Ward Union Hunt Chairman, has called a Monster HAI Rally to be held in the Trim Castle Hotel, Trim on Monday week the 14th December at 8pm. “The battle begins here. We have been planning our campaign quietly behind the scenes but it goes public from here” said Reynolds. He continued, “If John Gormley thinks he is going to end the Ward Union without this Government facing a massive backlash he is kidding himself.”

... read more

Part of the massive crowd of RISE supporters (Photo by John Heney)

Waterford Rise Demo

A massive turnout support RISE rally in Waterford
The largest turnout ever,well over 5000, for a field sports event assembled in Waterford to support the RISE campaign
Not since the famous racehorse ‘The Wild Man from Borneo’ was brought along the Quays in Waterford to celebrate winning the Aintree Grand National in 1895 has a horse paraded along the city’s streets.

... read more

Stag Hunting Ban?

Ban on deer hunts using hounds a step closer

MARY MINIHAN
(from the Irish Times)
CABINET HAS approved heads of a Bill which will make deer-hunting with hounds an offence, Minister for the Environment John Gormley has confirmed.

Quad bike and jet-ski activities will be banned in environmentally sensitive locations, and financial penalties for breaches of the Wildlife Acts will be doubled.

An amendment to the 1976 and 2000 Acts will include a provision prohibiting deer hunting with a hound or pack of hounds. This will not have implications for pursuits such as fox-hunting, hare coursing and the shooting of deer.

“One of the reports I received . . . showed deer going across the road just in front of a car. That set off alarm bells for me, and it seemed to me that licensing this was just not feasible, particularly in a built-up, increasingly urbanised area, and that’s why I came to this conclusion,” Mr Gormley said.

... read more

Tom McGurk

Tom McGurk on the Green's

Red light for Greens’ move against stag hunt
The Sunday Business Post
28 March 2010 BY TOM McGURK

I suspect that some Green Party members, at their conference in Waterford this weekend, have been enjoying a growing sense of satisfaction.

They now have two senior ministers and two juniors in government and, very soon, environment minister John Gormley will attempt to ban Meath’s Ward Union hunt. But I have a feeling that new Green junior minister Mary White – seeing the protest outside the conference by Rural Ireland Says Enough (Rise) – will be fixated by what she’s reading in her tea leaves. She is, of course, the Greens’ only rural TD but, given the equestrian and hunting background of her constituency in Carlow/ Kilkenny, her parliamentary future now looks grim.

... read more

2010 is Membership Year

The Hunting Association of Ireland (HAI) is made up of The Six Hunting with hounds associations and each of those associations pays an annual sub to The HAI which goes some way to the running of The HAI.

Three years ago the associations agreed to form an individual membership section of The HAI which all hunt club members and supporters could join by paying an annual membership fee.

In 2009 our aim is to have a major membership drive. If you support HAI by joining and paying what is a modest annual membership fee, HAI will not only be able to be more efficient at it’s political work but will be able to expand its promotional campaign into the future.
We have a new membership office in place and when you join we will send you a membership card, you will be placed on our news update systems on text and e-mail. HAI has also negotiated a very good individual insurance package with IFA Countryside at great value for the forth coming season.

... read more

Hounds in full flight for the senior trailing

International Hunting Festival Punchestown

For all hunting folk and indeed many others Punchestown was the place to be last weekend for the inaugural running of The International Hunting Festival.
The brainchild of Eddy Cahill ,HAI Fundraiser, it was envisaged as a way of bringing hunting people from all backgrounds and codes together where they would each in their own way show off their wares. In this the festival was a huge success with all branches and codes well represented. And international… well ponyclubbers were there in their hundreds from England, Ireland ,Scotland and Wales running their pony club games over the two days. View the Photo gallery for more photo’s or visit
Catherine Power Photos www.foxtrot.ifp3.com

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RISE Campaign

FACE Ireland and the Hunting Association of Ireland have formed RISE! Rural Ireland Says Enough! to campaign at national, regional and local level to mobilise public and political opinion in support of our traditional field sports and rural pastimes. Together, these organisations represent more than 300,000 adherents of country sports.

Rural Ireland says Enough! It is time to draw a clear line, to resist these threats and to promote our traditional rural way of life.

RISE! is supported by people throughout Ireland who value our distinctive and traditional way of life. They are people who wish to conserve and develop a better way of life for themselves, their children and for future generations. How can you help our campaign?

Please click below to the RISE website and sign the petition online or to download a form.

RISE Campaign

Election Wipe Out for Green Party

Any party with such an extreme policy on animal rights is bound to suffer the consequences from the Irish Electorate.

Many of us who enjoy country sports are strong environmentalists and would support Green Party policies on many issues but because ‘The Greens’ have adopted an animal rights agenda we won’t have any thing to do with them. There is also no place in an Irish Government for a political entity that has such strong links to extreme animal rights groups.

The Hunting, Shooting and Fishing lobby is very strong in both rural and urban Ireland and we believe we have had a major say in disposing of a green party that has tried to bully a totally unsustainable animal rights agenda into sectors of Irish life.

We will use our very strong voice against any unsustainable animal rights based policy and we will not tolerate so called animal welfare organisations with connections to animal rights groups having anything to do with administering government legislation.

Animal Rights is now one of the greatest threats facing a sustainable bio-diverse countryside such as ours.

HAI Membership

2010 is Membership Year
The Hunting Association of Ireland (HAI) is made up of The Six Hunting with hounds associations and each of those associations pays an annual sub to The HAI which goes some way to the running of The HAI.

Three years ago the associations agreed to form an individual membership section of The HAI which all hunt club members and supporters could join by paying an annual membership fee.
In 2010 our aim is to have a major membership drive. If you support HAI by joining and paying what is a modest annual membership fee, HAI will not only be able to be more efficient at it’s political work but will be able to expand its promotional campaign into the future.

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Summer Newsletter

Please find below the summer newsletter. I hope you find this interesting and informative.

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TD'S ,Senators and MEP's

Below is a link which will allow you to contact all public representatives in Ireland. Also included are some sample letters

Write to your TD at: Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street,
Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337 889.

Write to your Senator at: Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare
Street, Dublin 2.Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 732 623.

If you ring ask to speak to your public representative.If he or she is not available leave your message with their secretary and ask the TD to ring you back. All calls are logged and your TD will be aware of the number of calls in connection with any particular issue.

For the names , home adresses and contact details of politicians, please visit
Irish Government Website.
and follow link to 30th Dail and your constiuency

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New HAI/IFA Countryside Membership Package

HAI have recently had successful negotiations with IFA Countryside to form a partnership between IFA and HAI. This means that for just €55, you can enjoy HAI membership as well as the IFA countryside personal accident insurance package which also includes other benefits. Join online or contact Dickie Power on 0851100645