This article was prepared based on my conversations with Andrew Boylan and Paddy Gaffney from Butlersbridge.
Before the Second World War coursing events were organized and run on Lord Farnham’s estate. The event was held in “The Hare Ground” an area within the 365 acre Farnham Park in the townland of Breandrum. All of these events were suspended during wartime and thereafter Cavan United Coursing Club organized its annual meet over a two day period under Irish Coursing Club rules at Derrygara, Butlersbridge on Matt Boylans (Andrew’s fathers) farm. The event was usually held either in December or in the early months of the new year. Cavan United chairman was Pat Gaffney of Cullies and honorary secretaries were the late Vincent Bartley and the late Danny Smith both of Butlersbridge village. Danny was the father of Kevin and the late Con, each of whom have had life time associations with greyhounds. In 2003 Kevin had the distinction of being the owner of the Irish Derby winner called Climate Control. Many other locals were active in the club among them were the field stewards, Jack Leddy of Innishmore, Jimmy Murphy of Egramush, John Eddie Fitzpatrick of Kilnalack, Leo Cosgrove, of Innishbeg. Some of the other locals involved were Brian Myles and Vincent Cosgrove, Innishbeg, Sean Brown, Butlersbridge, Owney Cusack, Clones Road, Barney Connolly and Joe McCarville both from Cavan town.
Sixty to seventy hares were required for the two day event. Hunts were organized at a variety of townlands in the district such as Drumaharrid, Innishbeg, Derrygoss, Derryleague, Toneymore, Derrycramp, and Kilmore. These hunts were undertaken several weeks before the meet. The captured hares were kept and fed in a large wired enclosure (approximately eight foot high). This enclosure was called “The Escape” which was located in the wooded area at the top of the coursing field along the riverbank. The perimeter of the coursing field itself was also fully wired. The hares were fed turnips and oats and would hide in at the bottom of the sheaves. By times they were kept in homemade boxes within “The Escape”. Beside this compound there was a hut where local lads stayed overnight, whilst providing tight security from foxes or other intruders. They did this successfully whilst sometimes enjoying a few bottles of stout.
Punters came from surrounding counties especially Monaghan, Fermanagh, Meath and Leitrim as well as many, of course, from County Cavan. T.J. Conaty and Norbee Fitzpatrick collected the old three pence piece entry charge on the roadway beside the piers at Boylan’s lane. Many arrived by bicycle and each mudguard had a ticket stuck to it from a readied pot of glue. Others arrived by horse and trap with stabling provided in Boylan’s yard. A minority would arrive by motor car. On the days of the meet there could be up to 500 patrons in attendance, with the hill overlooking the course packed to capacity; it proved to be a natural grandstand. Many bookies were also in attendance on both days, usually quoting very tight prices, even money or money on – the norm.
Each day’s event consisted of 4 competitions namely Derrygara Stakes, Annalee Stakes, Breffni Stakes and the Kilmore and Farley Cup. Strict adherence to the rules of the Irish Coursing Club was assured by the presence of one of their official stewards. During the years 1948 to 1955 the steward’s were P. Gilsenan, D. Macklin and D. Keating. Also during this period the races were judged by F. Mitchell and P. Waters. Each competition had an entry of 16 dogs, run off in 4 rounds. Competing dogs were fitted with either a red or white collar. Over the 300 yards course whichever dog turned the hare was the winner. The course judge, who rode alongside on horseback, would flag the winner by raising a red or white flag. Some of the competing dogs’ names were Kilnaglare Lad, owed by Michael Cusack, Clones Road, Drummany Hero, Annalee Darling, Urney Bid and Kilnalack Girl. Out of season all of the coursing equipment and accessories were stored in the outhouses of Tommy Smyth’s pub.
In the late fifties this annual coursing event was moved to the big lawn at the front of Crover House and thereafter to a site between Kilnalack and Mountnugent.
Before the Second World War coursing events were organized and run on Lord Farnham’s estate. The event was held in “The Hare Ground” an area within the 365 acre Farnham Park in the townland of Breandrum. All of these events were suspended during wartime and thereafter Cavan United Coursing Club organized its annual meet over a two day period under Irish Coursing Club rules at Derrygara, Butlersbridge on Matt Boylans (Andrew’s fathers) farm. The event was usually held either in December or in the early months of the new year. Cavan United chairman was Pat Gaffney of Cullies and honorary secretaries were the late Vincent Bartley and the late Danny Smith both of Butlersbridge village. Danny was the father of Kevin and the late Con, each of whom have had life time associations with greyhounds. In 2003 Kevin had the distinction of being the owner of the Irish Derby winner called Climate Control. Many other locals were active in the club among them were the field stewards, Jack Leddy of Innishmore, Jimmy Murphy of Egramush, John Eddie Fitzpatrick of Kilnalack, Leo Cosgrove, of Innishbeg. Some of the other locals involved were Brian Myles and Vincent Cosgrove, Innishbeg, Sean Brown, Butlersbridge, Owney Cusack, Clones Road, Barney Connolly and Joe McCarville both from Cavan town.
Sixty to seventy hares were required for the two day event. Hunts were organized at a variety of townlands in the district such as Drumaharrid, Innishbeg, Derrygoss, Derryleague, Toneymore, Derrycramp, and Kilmore. These hunts were undertaken several weeks before the meet. The captured hares were kept and fed in a large wired enclosure (approximately eight foot high). This enclosure was called “The Escape” which was located in the wooded area at the top of the coursing field along the riverbank. The perimeter of the coursing field itself was also fully wired. The hares were fed turnips and oats and would hide in at the bottom of the sheaves. By times they were kept in homemade boxes within “The Escape”. Beside this compound there was a hut where local lads stayed overnight, whilst providing tight security from foxes or other intruders. They did this successfully whilst sometimes enjoying a few bottles of stout.
Punters came from surrounding counties especially Monaghan, Fermanagh, Meath and Leitrim as well as many, of course, from County Cavan. T.J. Conaty and Norbee Fitzpatrick collected the old three pence piece entry charge on the roadway beside the piers at Boylan’s lane. Many arrived by bicycle and each mudguard had a ticket stuck to it from a readied pot of glue. Others arrived by horse and trap with stabling provided in Boylan’s yard. A minority would arrive by motor car. On the days of the meet there could be up to 500 patrons in attendance, with the hill overlooking the course packed to capacity; it proved to be a natural grandstand. Many bookies were also in attendance on both days, usually quoting very tight prices, even money or money on – the norm.
Each day’s event consisted of 4 competitions namely Derrygara Stakes, Annalee Stakes, Breffni Stakes and the Kilmore and Farley Cup. Strict adherence to the rules of the Irish Coursing Club was assured by the presence of one of their official stewards. During the years 1948 to 1955 the steward’s were P. Gilsenan, D. Macklin and D. Keating. Also during this period the races were judged by F. Mitchell and P. Waters. Each competition had an entry of 16 dogs, run off in 4 rounds. Competing dogs were fitted with either a red or white collar. Over the 300 yards course whichever dog turned the hare was the winner. The course judge, who rode alongside on horseback, would flag the winner by raising a red or white flag. Some of the competing dogs’ names were Kilnaglare Lad, owed by Michael Cusack, Clones Road, Drummany Hero, Annalee Darling, Urney Bid and Kilnalack Girl. Out of season all of the coursing equipment and accessories were stored in the outhouses of Tommy Smyth’s pub.
In the late fifties this annual coursing event was moved to the big lawn at the front of Crover House and thereafter to a site between Kilnalack and Mountnugent.
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