The Irish Setter 169 
known the points of the Irish setter all my life. The original red Irish 
setters were a breed of dogs belonging to Mrs. La Touche’s grandfather, 
Maurice O’Connor, Esq., of Mount Pleasant, King’s County, and which 
family took great pride in them. Such a thing as a black hair would be 
scouted among them, nor were black tips to the ears or to the feathering 
ever thought of; it plainly shows a cross with another breed. The O’Connor 
setter is of blood-red colour—certainly of a purer and deeper red than is 
seen in the coat or fur of any other animal; a little white is not objected to, 
and of late years there were more red and white dogs bred. It was considered 
more convenient, as they were more easily seen out shooting, but Mr. 
O’Connor always preferred a pure red dog. He gave some to Mr. Robert 
La Touche of Harristown, County Kildare, and thus it was he became 
possessed of the breed. J remember the dogs and the traditions and rules 
about them from my earliest childhood, and I can certify that a black hair, 
or a black-tipped hair, was never seen among them; but I do remember 
that about twenty years ago a female of the O’Connor setter breed was 
given away, and afterwards crossed with a black and tan setter. I recollect 
that of the puppies some were pure red, others pure black and tan, but the 
red with black tips may have afterwards resulted from this cross. I never 
saw a red setter with a dark stripe down the back, or any darker colour 
about him than a rich blood-red, and my recollection extends over thirty- 
five years.” 
Colonel Whyte again joined in the controversy and gave some good 
information as to old owners. “It appears to be pretty generally con- 
ceded,” he writes “that the earliest recorded and most celebrated kennel 
of these dogs was that of Lord Dillon, great grandfather, I believe, to the 
present lord. There were, however, several others of great repute, but 
supposed, whether true or not, to have descended from Lord Dillon’s. Of 
these, perhaps, Lord Clancarty’s ranked highest, but Lord Lismore’s and 
the French Park were much thought of. The purity of the Maurice 
O’Connor dogs is a moot point, some looking back to them with much 
respect, others, and good authorities too, denying that they were ever the 
real thing. 
“The dogs of the Dillon breed are said to have been powerful, wiry, 
active dogs—some red, some red and white; but that the latter colour 
showed only on face and chest, not much of it; the coat with a slight wave, 
but no curl whatever. They were headstrong in temper, without much 
