IRISH WOLFHOUND SOCIETY OF IRELAND
- Photo Album
- Notes from Lecture by Dr Brian Jones
-
-
GIANT’S RING – SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 2009
Old friends meet... (Photo by Ika Peiler)- Behind wrought iron gates a curving drive, guarded by two life-size stone Great Danes, leads to this beautiful big house, which was built by a magnate in the early nineteen twenties. To the left is the stable block and the kennels are across the courtyard from them. The huge reception room is above the stables. It seats 150 easily and at each end of the room is a crackling, cosy log fire.
We were welcomed in a warm atmosphere of camaraderie and the dogs were so obviously relaxed and at home. Paul and Mary are the perfect hosts. We cannot thank them enough for sharing their wonderful home with us for the day.
We started off with welcome cups of coffee and tea accompanied by a variety of cakes, sandwiches and biscuits. Attendees hailed from Laoise, Sligo, Waterford, Donegal, Galway, Derry, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Down, Antrim and Armagh; a veritable United Nations.
During this time Dr Brian Jones gave a fascinating talk about breeding in general and artificial insemination in particular. There were several questions from the floor, which were answered and talked about at length, resulting in more of an interactive discussion than a traditional lecture. Thank you, Brian, your wisdom and experience, given with such generosity, is very much appreciated.
We then set off for the Giant’s Ring, which is a leisurely ten minute walk from Paul’s home. The monument is a prehistoric enclosure, over 200 metres in diameter, with a dolmen in the centre. The big earthwork circle, roughly 200m across, is a beautiful example of a 'henge' monument, built in about 2700BC during the Neolithic period. Similar monuments are found elsewhere in Britain and Ireland, but this is one of the finest. In the middle is a tomb made up of five upright stones and a large capstone, the bare frame of what was originally a chambered grave, covered with a cairn of stones and earth. Walking along this ancient site sort of put things in perspective; pondering on the magnitude of time has a sobering influence on a mind filled with trivialities.
After our walk we watered the dogs and put them back in the vehicles for a rest. We then gathered in the reception room in anticipation of the meal. The smells permeating the air had us drooling and I can tell you that the taste matched up to this promise in every way.
Anne had spent the previous day and night confined to the kitchen and the result was a meal that we will all remember for months to come. Until now I thought I knew my way around the kitchen, but will concede top honours to Anne. Food prepared with passion cannot help but be the tastiest. Roast pork, barbecue chicken, roast chicken and a scrumptious stuffing, potatoes au gratin, baked potatoes, roast vegetables, a mushroom garlic sauce, salads galore. Paul provided some delicious wines to complement the food and afterwards my thoughts kept nudging towards an afternoon nap to aid the digestion. But no, that wouldn’t do at all – we had the lure coursing to do.
We set off to an area of manicured lawns in the beautiful gardens and the technically minded assembled the lure and wires. I think this fun-filled event is drawing more fans every time we set it up. You cannot help but laugh at the antics of some of the dogs, especially the newcomers, but they soon catch on and then the racing gets going in earnest. Each ‘team’ ran three times and chances are that at our next meeting they will be pulling on the lead to be first to go again.
As the sun was tilting way to the west we made our way back for delicious desserts comprising of Meringue Magic made by Shirley Scott, Piña Colada Trifle and Sherry Trifle made by Anne, Baked Custard from Lois and a piping hot Apple Tart. This washed down by cups of coffee, after which reluctant goodbyes’ were said.
A red letter day had come to a successful conclusion.
Again, heartfelt thanks to: -
Michael Donnelly for being the man behind it all;
Paul and Mary Campbell for being hosts from heaven;
Dr Brian Jones for sharing his wisdom and experience;
Larry May, our trusty Secretary who, although he was unable to attend, nonetheless co-ordinated all the administration that goes into the organisation of this type of event;
Anne O’Keeffe, who should be showing the lads at Masterchef a thing or two;
Cathal, sous chef extraordinaire, who became Anne’s right hand and more;
Shirley Scott, a whiz with salads;
Meta Shield, Margaret Wright and Mary Potter, who donned aprons and set to scrubbing the kitchen;
Everybody who set aside the day to share it with like-minded enthusiasts and make it a resounding success.
If I have left out anyone, it is entirely unintentional and a gross oversight on my part.
Lois Sinclair- Hon. Treasurer
September 2009