No insurance quote prompts disbanding of hunt

Two well-known charities have become the beneficiaries of a plausible act of generosity on the ending of an era for one of the most popular hunts in the area.

The East Clare Farmers Hunt, whose membership and area of activity, is spread around the rural countryside on both sides of the Shannon, has regrettably come to the end of an era.

Master of the Hunt, Paddy Kennedy, summed up the situation in which they have unfortunately and regrettably found themselves in 2023, after very successfully hunts around many areas of North Tipperary and East Clare for decades.

“We have been unable to get insurance cover at any price and we couldn't continue without adequate cover,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it has become the end for the hunt - we've had to disband,” he added.

The hunt had in excess of €5,000 in their funds and decided to divide the money equally between the well-known charities, St Vincent de Paul and Trócaire.

Treasurer of the Hunt, Siobhan O'Gorman (Birdhill), presented cheques for in excess of €2,500 each to Rev Fr Dominic Meehan for Trócaire and Dave Lawlor, for St Vincent de Paul at the Community Centre, Birdhill.

Present also were, Paddy Kennedy, Master, East Clare Farmers Hunt; John O'Sullivan, secretary; Mary O'Mara, and Louis Kennedy and Mary Vaughan, St Vincent de Paul (Newport).

Dave Lawlor thanked the Hunt Committee for their generosity and assured them how much the funds would benefit the continued work of the St Vincent de Paul Society in being of assistance to families in need of help during these times of difficulty for many families.

Fr Meehan expressed thanks on behalf of Trócaire for the generous cheque.

The hunt has was founded 32 years ago and hunted over a large area of North Tipperary and East Clare each season since.

Hunt Master, Paddy Kennedy, explained that the situation of having to disband had arisen after their insurer based in the UK had, as well as others, withdrawn from providing cover in Ireland.

“Cover would probably have cost us about €20,000 for 2023 and we were willing to pay for it, because the members would support us, but the situation for this year was that we were unable to get insurance at any price,” he said.

He said that they had an excellent record for care and safety over the decades, but could not take the risk of continuing without adequate insurance cover.

“We always showed respect for the farmers over whose lands we hunted and I want to thank them for their co-operation over the years. We always maintained excellent relationships and any problem that arose would be dealt with immediately,” he added.

He said that on having to disband the hunt it, was the unanimous decision that funds remaining in their account be donated to charity.