Is leor nod don eolach.

A hint is sufficient for the wise.

 

 

The April 2008 Event in Slane  

For Photos from the  event, Click here :

 

Once again, the weather gods were kind to us when they provided us on our first gathering in 2008 with a pocket of clear skies for the whole day, while the rest (especially the West) of the country was rattled by rain and thunderstorms. Amazingly, the day dawned bright and sunny. The forecast wasn't good though. Up to then it had been very unpredictable, with lots of rain, so we packed the wellies for just-in-case. We had a fairly long drive ahead of us so we set out early.

 

 

The dogs, as always, were raring to get into the car, jostling for the best position, but once on the road, settled down to snooze, like well-seasoned travellers. The directions were excellent and we found the meeting place without a hitch. A charming Olde Worlde hotel with beautiful gardens, where we had our picnic lunch while others savoured the delights the menu had on offer. At around two in the afternoon we set off in convoy for the Gallops not far from the town of Slane. It was a good gathering of Wolfhounds and selected guests, including three elegant Salukis and Pasha, our young lurcher.

 

The first draws were called and the lure pulled away so quickly that the dogs barely had time to register what was going on, so the speed was adjusted and then the fun began. Some were 'seasoned veterans' from our last meet and others were total novices. So of course there was a varied response to the lure. Good laughs provided by the ones who gave up halfway as if to say "why on earth should I be running after that inanimate object?" and others running for all they were worth to kill the lure.

 

Ika and Ulli's Jade managed on each occasion to do just that, but gracefully relinquished her kill to the handler. Overall winner in the Wolfhound category was Jade and in the guest list, Pasha. The two did a lap of honour together and Pasha managed to beat Jade by a hair's breadth. Anne had arranged some lovely prizes from our sponsors, Massbrook Kennels and Dogfood, which were handed out afterwards and then we set off for a leisurely walk along the beautiful Boyne River.

 

The car park there is a favourite spot for water sport enthusiasts too, and the canoeists were out in force on this lovely day, in their safety clothing, unloading their kayaks or coming in from the river. Once again the hounds proved to all that nothing could faze them when they encountered all these strangely dressed creatures with paddles and big boats.

 

Before we set out for the walk Anne handed out welcome refreshments from her well equipped camper van, which everybody appreciated very much. When we were all 'watered and fed' we set out for the lovely walk along the green pastures of the river Boyne with vistas of breathtaking scenery across the river.

 

The path ended at an arched stone bridge crossing the disused canal which runs parallel to the walkway. Time for a group photo and some story telling. John Barrons was a most suitable narrator to read out the ancient story of Fionn Mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool) and the Salmon of Wisdom.

 

We were in the right spot for this, after all, in one of the many myths about this Salmon, the goddess Boann attempted to draw water from the Salmon's well, which resulted in flooding. The well became the source of the river Boyne, named for the goddess whose accident caused it. A pleasantly exhausted party returned for a 'picnic proper' at the car park and thanks to Anne's excellent catering talents and a gas stove we even had boiling water to prepare our teas and coffees to go with her scrumptious home-made sandwiches for which she is so well known.

 

Thank you, everyone who worked so hard to arrange this splendid outing.

 

We cannot wait for the next one! Lois & Pete, with Nikki (IW) and Pasha, the lurcher.

 

Photos by Suzanne Collins Photography and Ika Peiler