Red & White Setter Conference 2006
“Of fabulous grass and eternal voices by a beech,
Feed the gaping need of my senses, give me ad lib
To pray unselfconsciously with overflowing speech. ”
Patrick Kavanagh – Canal Bank Walk
The leafy horse chestnuts jostle each other in the morning breeze, murmuring polite imprecations as we pass hurriedly beneath. The serene setting of Maynooth University provides an elegant backdrop to the 25th Anniversary of the Irish Red & White Setter Club on this 9th of September. Maynooth College was founded in 1795 as a seminary for the education of priests, a unique role it continues today. The grounds also host a
modern national university to the south of the old college.
A large crowd had gathered outside the lecture halls greeted by framed photographs of legendary dogs and other historical memorabilia. The uneven symphony of dialects indicated a sizeable foreign atmosphere and enthusiasts from USA, Canada, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Australia, England, Scotland and Scandinavia were all represented. There was a frantic movement at the main stand where t-shirts, caps
and badges disappeared at an unnatural rate, which later over the course of the conference gave a great uniformity to the crowd.
The anniversary was spread over four days. The first day was the conference with lectures from various dignitaries of the red & white setter world followed by a gala
dinner that evening. The following day was the dog show held in the National Exhibition centre in Cloghran, County Dublin followed by social activities in the
village of Laragh County Wicklow. The third day was a field trial pitting the very best red & white setters against the best red setters from the island of Ireland. Finally
the events concluded with a breed field trial held also on the Dublin Mountains. Mr. Terry O’Leary, Chairman of the Irish Red & White Setter Club opened the
conference before inviting Mr. Sean Delmar, President of the Irish Kennel Club to speak. Mr. Delmar remembered the beginnings of the club and how the founders had defined a plan to revive the breed from the lines of Mrs. Cuddy and Mr. Dermot Mooney’s kennels. It was this determination that has yielded a number of field trial champions, an Irish championship and derby winner to the breed as well as numerous show champions. Indeed the success of the breed over the last 25 years was indicated by the sizeable support at the conference.
Mr. Owen Lane, Secretary of the Irish Red Setter Club spoke about the relevance of his clubs support to the out crossing programme to allow the breed to re-establish
itself. Indeed such was the accuracy of the clubs minutes from the late 1970’s to early 1980’s, it provided a resonance remembering the many characters that were no longerwith us. My sentiments were accurately portrayed by the poet Patrick Kavanagh in Raglan Road, “On a quiet street where old ghosts meet”. Some of the remaining officers of the club provided a link to this nostalgia. What an unusual sport where people are still revered and discussed over twenty years after their time.
Mr. Finbarr Heslin, Veterinary Surgeon in Celbridge provided an insightful and entertaining lecture about genetic illnesses affecting the breed. Mr. Heslin has an
enormous interest in field trial and working dogs and is an invaluable resource to the field tiralling community. His lecture was based on research on over fifty red & white setters, tested genetically for hereditary diseases such as CLAD and hip dysphasia. The dogs were also health screened for heart, lung, and eye problems. He concluded that the breed was in rude health but much preventative work was needed to ensure this position. Selective breeding was the key to this future. The Irish Red & White Setter Clubs web site lists the dogs that have genetically and physically passed these tests. The majority of the crowd were women, an obvious testament to the beauty and personality of the breed. They were very vociferous and interactive during this session. Concerns over genetic mutations and indescribable illnesses were aired and answered with abandon by Mr.Heslin.
Mr. Jim Sheridan gave a field triallers perspective to the breed. Founder of the renowned Craigrua Kennels he has produced a number of field trial champion red &
white setters and also an International Champion with Rushfield Rascal. He denoted the style and grace of the working breed evidenced by astute observations and this
combined with vast experience made for a fascinating lecture. The working style of these dogs when shooting in Donegal emphasized their breed characteristics.
After lunch, Mr. Terry O’Leary spoke of the breed standards and the need to ensure they remained uniform throughout all the countries. The lecture theme very much
reminded me of Shaw’s quote “In dreams begins responsibility”.
Mr. Dermot Mooney of the Winnowing Kennels outlined his role in the development of the breed. His photos dating back over fifty years provided a speedy evolution of the breed over one hour. Mr. Gordon Haybourn from the Great Britain club presented the success of the dog from the showing perspective and its success in agility classes. Delegates from the Scandinavian club outlined the breed’s success as a hunting and trialling dog while speakers from Italy, France, Belgium, USA and Canada all spoke of their experiences of the breed. The common theme was that this breed is very versatile- from being excellent hunting dogs and show dogs to being equally at home completing obedience tests and being part of family life.
Formalities over, the crowd dispersed to prepare for the Gala dinner in the evocative grandeur of Pugin Hall in Maynooth. A great moon dial could be seen through the
heavy leafy shade as we walked through the great wooden doors of the college. An ecumenical silence vibrated round the great Romanesque arches as portraits of
Bishops and Archbishops stared uncomprisingly down from their elevated perches. We walked down shadowy halls, impressed by thick stone cloisters guided by the rather unnatural sweet sounding melody from a box accordion. Pugin Hall is irrepressible in its magnificence- its high ceilings engineered with granite key stones
that held gigantic beams that support an over laden roof. A fawn like dancer levitated intermittently to a fairy reel as she dared not tread on the ancient oak floors. With back, erect and stiff, she glided effortlessly, with the only movement being her long blond hair jerking from over her shoulder. I doubted that the usual inhabitants of this place enjoyed such entertainment. A fine meal was consummated with the excited murmur of voices complemented by the eerily lilting sound of accordion and flute playing Carolan’s Concerto. The Mrs. Cuddy prizes were awarded to recognise people or clubs who had made an important contribution to the breed. A boisterous applause greeted emotional winners, Ms. Phyllis Ralston, Rev. Canon Doherty, Mr. Dermot Mooney, and Mr. Jim Sheridan, The Irish Red & White Setter Club of Great Britain, Scandinavian Red & White Setter Club and the Irish Red & White Setter Association USA. Presentations were made of a stuffed black grouse from the Swedish Red & White Setter Club and a crystal goblet from the Norwegian Irish Setter Club for the winner of the breed field trial. An exquisitely carved woodcock donated by Mr. Jacques Cardona, a member of the French Setter Club for the winner of the first evercombined trial between red setters and the red & white setters added to the importance and trepidation of the field trial for Monday.
The following morning the club show took place in the ethereal sunlight of Cloghran. There was an impeccable turnout and the dogs white coats seemed to illuminate thebrightness. Mr. Dermot Mooney, the oldest living breeder of red & white setters, had flown from Australia for the occasion; cast a judicial eye on proceedings. Gifted with an uncanny eye for conformity and his belief in the virtues of the breeds working ability, he provided many astute observations throughout the day. The best of breed was Ms. Sierakowskis Dalriach Geraldine and green star dog was Mr. Ruymbeke’s Dalriach Garryowen. Reserve green star bitch was Ms. Pauline Ryan’s Dalriach Isodora and reserve green star dog was Mr. Vincent Flannelly’s Venmisken Kid Sligo.
On Monday morning an even larger crowd gathered in the Dublin mountains. Each team member signed a register book which no doubt in years to come will be a
priceless article.
The red setter club had selected a strong team evidenced by thirteen separate handlers with only Mr. Declan O’Rourke and Ms. Carol Calvert obtaining the distinction of having two dogs selected.
The Irish Red Setter Club team was: Aidan Dunne, Declan O’ Rourke, Carol Calvert, Charles Neeson, Tom Dunne, Anthony Mulhall, Joe O’Sullivan, Fr, Seamus O’Neill, Pat Reape, Noel O’Sullivan, Hugh Brady and Ollie Kelly.
The Irish Red & White Setter Club team also had selected the in form dogs of their breed. The partial support was clearly for the red & white setter team that consisted of: Terry O’Leary, Davy Byrne, Vincent Flannelly, Edward Flannelly, Des Linton, Jim Sheridan, Charlie Neeson, Phyllis Ralston and Stephen Clarke.
However the intrepid conditions proved a huge anti climax as a heavy fog descended to quench the electrical excitement. Competitors discussed training methods and
imbued training advice to the pilgrims while breakfast was provided by Ms. Hazel McAlardie for all. Near noon and still ensconced in the cloudy purgatory, permission
was granted to move to lower ground. A grouse gritting on the road as the caravan of cars, jeeps and SUV’s parked was a positive sign. All of the braces were paired so that fifteen red setters would run against fifteen red & white setters. The first brace were off and the sizeable crowd resembled the glamorous annual championship stake. Ms. Carol Calvert’s Glenmark Mary Kate took a grouse expertly on the crest of a hill and stood permanently as the grouse broke before the handlers could arrive. There was some excellent running and some mishaps due to the abundance of birds and poor conditions. Mr. Jim Sheridan’s Craigrua Lucky pointed staunchly in some recently burned heather. The setting style perfectly exhibited the breed standard advocated by Mr. Sheridan’s lecture the previous day. The bitch drew in smoothly for about eighty yards, stopping intermittently to ensure her tactics before producing excellently a pair
of grouse. Due to the late start and continuing poor conditions, the judges, eminent English setter men Mr. Christy Davitt and Mr. Ger Devine called back four and a half brace. These were made up of six red setters and three red & white setters. There were no opportunities on grouse in this round. The rain became heavier and only the staunchest foreign supporters remained. Interestingly most of these were women. Finally a last chance was given to Fr. O’Neill’s Irish setter Creg Finn and my Irish Setter Gardenfield Rum but unfortunately neither the ground nor dogs yielded an elusive grouse.
In rain soaked proceedings, a realistic imitation of the Ark, the winner and second were declared and coincidentally there was one from each breed. First was Ms. Carol Calvert’s Irish setter Glenmark Mary Kate and second was Mr. Jim Sheridan’s Irish red & white setter Craigrua Lucky. Such was the success of this trial; it was welcomed that this becomes a biennial event. The sodden crowd dispersed to the cosy haven of Laragh village where reports were that next mornings trial started late and this time it was nothing to do with the weather conditions. Coincidentally this red & white setter breed trial was won by Mr. Des Linton, who also came second. with Craigrua Osprey and Dairerose Blessing in Disguise.
The enthusiasm from the delegates from abroad added immeasurably to the occasion. Some of the pilgrims had never seen their beloved breed at work and their response was heartening. They fell, arose and struggled to watch every brace and though partial, their comments were refreshingly untainted.
My abiding memory was the night of irresistible fantasy within the solemn walls of St. Patrick’s College. Where the din of melody within the great hall outshone the dark boughs of a beech that viewed proceedings through an amorous window and
“Wakeful moth wings blunder near a chair, Toss their light shell at the glass, and go
To inhabit the living starlight”.
After all it was just another September!
Another September- Thomas Kinsella
