244 IRISH SPORT AND SPORTSMEN. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE LIMERICK STAGHOUNDS, DUHALLOW, AND 

 LISSNAGON HOUNDS. 



I REGRET very much that I cannot give a more 

 lengthened and accurate history of the Duhallow 

 Foxhounds. I failed to procure the eagerly sought- 

 for details. I believe them to be the oldest established 

 pack in Ireland, and a covert which was given up within 

 the last few years only, Portnarhea, was taken at a 

 rent of twelve guineas per annum in the year 

 1745, which fact shows the antiquity of the country. 

 The hounds came into the possession of Mr. Wrixon 

 of Ballygiblin, the great-grandfather of the present 

 Sir Henry Wrixon Becher, about the end of the last 

 century. On Mr. Wrixon's retirement, his son hunted 

 them for many years ; and after his death, the present 

 Sir Henry's father, Sir William Wrixon Becher, was 

 master for several seasons. He was a splendid horse- 

 man ; and during his term of office the hunt became 

 very popular. When he gave up the management, he 

 was succeeded (about 1830) by Mr. Robert De la Cour 

 of Mallow. He was in command for a long time, and, 

 from his knowledge of the country and popularity, his 

 career as master was a most successful one. He 

 spared no expense in his endeavours to show sport, 

 and It was only on finding his sight failing that he 



