HUNTING IN ROSCOMMON. 207 



were, Ophelia, Olympla, O'Connell, Caustic, Cripple, 

 and Vixen. He had about seventy horses at the 

 time of his death ; and they, as well as the hounds 

 already alluded to, were sold soon afterwards by 

 auction ; several of the chasers for a very long 

 price, and some of them proved remunerative to their 

 new owners, especially Caustic and Farintosh. The 

 first-named won the National Hunt Race at Punches- 

 town, value ^5 10, carrying iist. iilbs. in 1864. He 

 then belonged to the late Marquis of Clanricarde, and 

 was ridden by the late Mr. Willie Long, who ranked 

 this race as his greatest victory in the saddle. 



The late Mr. James Balfe had, long ago, a 

 pack of hounds, but the want of foxes compelled 

 him to dispose of them. Previous to 1861, Mr. 

 Longworth hunted the southern portion of the 

 county, near Athlone, and Mr. John Dennis the 

 western part. The good sport shown by the latter 

 induced the sportsmen of Roscommon to get up a 

 county pack ; and a committee was appointed, with 

 Captain George Warburton Drought of Cargins, 

 Tulsk, as secretary. Foxes| were procured, and 

 several coverts sown. The prospect of affairs soon 

 became so cheering that, in 1862, Captain Drought 

 was induced to take the mastership ; and, having 

 obtained drafts from the best kennels, he began his 

 regime with a good pack. During the first season, 

 1862-3, he had, as huntsman, Martin Quirk, who 

 previously hunted the French-Park Hounds, and had 

 spent some years in Meath and Kildare. The following 

 season the master carried the horn himself, having as 

 first-whip George Sheppard, who hunted the Wexford 

 Hounds during the season 1876-7, and had been for 



