MR O'CONNOR HENCHY, 1846-1847 



many as five races in 1830; there were four in each 

 of the other meetings, except in 1832, when only a 

 single race is recorded. 



Few particulars of the sport at these meetings 

 have survived. But there were doubtless many 

 races and matches organized by local sportsmen 

 to provide the fun which Irishmen love on such 

 occasions during the four days during which some 

 of the meetings continued. Certainly we may 

 people those old meetings with all the typical com- 

 pany of an Irish race meeting which has very little 

 changed with the times. Here, for example, is a 

 contemporary account taken from Paddy Kelly's 

 Budget in 1834, a somewhat scurrilous publication, 

 which nevertheless preserves for us an undoubtedly 

 accurate picture of some aspects of the life in Ire- 

 land of that period. 



Describing the meeting held at the Back Lane at 

 Naas in that year the writer says: 



" The course has been considerably improved 

 since last year. 'Tis situated about half a mile out- 

 side the town at the back of the ruins of Jiggins- 

 town Castle, a little off the Newbridge Road; 'tis 

 about a mile and a quarter in circumference and 

 from the central elevation of the ground even the 

 pedestrian could see a race all round. There were, 

 however, a couple of ill constructed stands erected 

 on which we did not choose to risk our precious 



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