THE FIRST PACKS 



lenge on the deposit of 50 gs as a private bet by the 

 owner of any horse that may be entered upon the 



same race." 



Many legends centre about Mr Conolly and 

 Castletown. The best known is one called " The 

 Devil and Tom Conolly," which preserves the tra- 

 dition of the open-handed hospitality which un- 

 doubtedly prevailed at Castletown during the 

 Squire's lifetime, when, indeed, anyone riding 

 with the hounds was expected to finish the day 

 with him. This legend is embalmed in a very long 

 set of verses which appeared in the Dublin Uni- 

 versity Magazine for 1843. They are written in the 

 then popular style of the Ingoldsby Legends, and the 

 following extracts give the important part of the 

 story. 



The covert is reached and a better array 

 Of sportsmen it never has seen than to-day; 



'Tis as gallant a field 



As all Ireland could yield. 

 The horsemen to all kinds of devilment steeled; 

 But the best-mounted man at that gay covert side 

 Is honest Tom Conolly, Castletown's pride; 

 All mirth and good fellowship beam in his eye 

 Such a goodly collection of guests to descry. 



For guests shall be all 



In Tom Conolly 's hall 

 Who keeps open house for the great and the small, 



31 



