THE LIMERICK FOXHOUNDS. 20I 



Castle, on the ground connected with which the kennel stood, 

 and, from its proximity to him, he was most attentive and liberal 

 towards the whole establishment. He was generously aided by 

 the Messrs. Stein of Limerick, one of whom was married to his 

 daughter. Others also aided in the good work. After Mr. Croker 

 ceased lo reside at the castle the late lamented and highly popular 

 Colonel Dickson became proprietor of it, and, I believe, sole 

 manager of the hounds, and by his daily attendance at the kennel 

 evinced the deep interest he took in it. After the retirement of 

 poor Pat Connell an English huntsman named Goodall was brought 

 over, but he did not retain the position very long, as he did not 

 give satisfaction ; he was too fond of the use of whipcord, on 

 account of which the hounds became somewhat unmanageable. 

 This habit was acquired while acting for many years in the capacity 

 of whip to an English pack, and which trait, though sometimes 

 essential in a whip, should by no means be exercised too severely 

 by a huntsman, as it destroys all chance of securing an obedient 

 pack. A very nice English boy, named Alfred, acted as second 

 whip during the time that Goodall was huntsman. These both 

 were, I think, ih^ proteges of Colonel Dickson. Jack Bourke, from 

 the Duhallows, succeeded Goodall, and, I believe, retained the 

 position up to the time that the hounds were transferred to Sir 

 David Roche. Bill Cliquette was whip during Jack Bourke's time, 

 and on change of master Jack returned to Duhallow, and Bill took 

 service as coachman, his knowledge of the use of the whip being, 

 I suppose, a recommendation for that position. One word as to 

 coverts, and though not in the least disparaging the hunting of 

 the present day, I am sure those who remember them will agree 

 with me in saying that the runs from the celebrated, but now 

 unused coverts of Bunmona, Fanleehane, and old Garryfine, far 

 excelled those we now see. They were very seldom drawn blank, 

 and the first burst in connection with a find at any was such as to 

 require a stout horse and a bold heart to get through. The runs 

 from the first-named always ended at some place in the county 

 Cork, a considerable distance from the boundary line which divides 

 that county from Limerick, and from the other coverts nearly, 

 though not quite as long. These coverts were in an open country, 

 and not so near each other as some of the coverts now drawn. 

 The impediments which now spoil many a run, namely, railways, 

 and, in some cases, formidable water-courses, sunk in connection 



