22 



I^oberts, the Helys, and many others. These were the good times for 

 the Kilmacthomas folk. What a roaring trade John Walshe did at the 

 jolly little inn, and could we not get there the best of egg-flip and all 

 things equally good ? Ah's me ! 



The present Marquis of Waterford succeeded to the title on the 

 death of his father in 1866. He was then serving in the 1st Life 

 Guards, in which regiment he continued until 1869, when, as a 

 captain, he sold out and came to reside at Curraghmore. Whatever 

 may have been his wishes regarding the keeping of hounds, he never 

 even indirectly intimated he would be inclined to follow in the foot- 

 steps of his uncle, and take on the Curraghmore country. On the 

 contrary he was always an ardent and substantial supporter of 

 Briscoe, for whom he entertained the highest regard and admiration 

 both as a friend and sportsman, and he gladly hunted with him like 

 any other member. Through an unlooked-for incident, however, a 

 change in the Mastership became imperative, and then for the first 

 time was it known that Lord Waterford would be willing to take 

 upon himself the trouble and responsibilities attached to an M.F.H. 



During the season of 1869-70, Mr. Briscoe got into a very bad state 

 of health, so much so that at the time there seemed very little chance 

 of the poor fellow's ultimate recovery, and both his medical advisers 

 and friends strongly recommended him to give up the hounds, which 

 necessarily entailed more work, care, and worry than he was then 

 physically fit for. Poor Briscoe was naturally loath to relinquish a 

 position he had so satisfactorily filled, and in which his heart 

 delighted ; it seemed to him like sinking suddenly into old age, and 

 being put aside on the shelf. However, prudence prevailed, and 

 he resigned, no doubt the more cheerfully from the knowledge 

 that his beloved hounds were to pass to one who would in every way 

 do them justice. 



On retiring, Briscoe, who had somewhat recovered his health, was 

 presented with a very valuable testimonial by the members of the 

 Hunt and gentlemen who had partaken of his sport. The ceremony 

 took place at a banquet in the City of W^aterford, in the summer of 

 1870, at which the Marquis of Waterford presided. 



Third Section.— John Henry (present) Marquis of Waterford, 

 Master 1870-81. 



Natural that Lord Waterford should be the Head of the Curraghmore Hunt— His taking 

 office as M.F.H. —Got a Capital Start— Well-bred Pack— Good Workers— Imported 

 more Hounds— His Lordship as Judge of Hounds— As Judge of a Horse— His weight — 

 Began well— " Servants' Horses"— His Passion for Hunting— Apprenticeship— John 

 I»nke— Increase of Territory— Hunting Days increased— Kilkenny Hunt— John Going 

 —Boundary of the New Territories— Increase of Stud— Boundary of Lord Waterford's 

 country— Owned and acquired— Gr-at area— All Hunted fairly— Out-Stables— Descrip- 

 tion of Curraghmore country— Woodlands— New Gorse Coverts planted— Lord Water- 

 ford not yet satiified— Acquires Lord Huntingdon's country— Gave it up— The Ross 



