LORD CLONMELL, 1854- 1857 



" In Kildare my memory carries me back to 

 Stephen Goodall, who hunted the hounds during 

 the Mastership of Lords Clonmell and Mayo. A tall 

 hatchet-faced man sitting on his horse Hke a pair 

 of tongs intent upon what his hounds were doing 

 and Httle else. His riding looked automatic, if I may 

 use the term, horse and man being for the moment 

 machines in connection with the pack. Both Masters 

 mounted him well, and he well deserved the best 

 that money and judgment could buy, as he hardly 

 deviated from the direct line, and his hunters 

 seemed one and all to sympathise with him, though 

 he hardly touched their heads." 



Finally, the following letter on the state of one 

 part of the country in 1854 may have a present 

 interest. Mr J. H. Laugh wrote to Lord Clonmell 

 from Garisher, Enfield in July of that year regard- 

 ing the Blackwater covert, which, apparently, the 

 Kildare Hunt had neglected and were now taking 

 back again, the owner being Mr O'Ferrall. 



" I do not think there is any chance of re- 

 establishing this country including Ballina, Balin- 

 dolan, Rahan and this place as a blooding country; 

 the proprietors seem disinclined to have it so, and 

 I do not think with all the country you have that 

 it would be worth while. If I can be of any service 

 in your arrangements for this district, you can 

 command me." 



No account of the Kildare Hunt would be com- 



219 



