Irish Sporting Sketches

Game hunting is one of Ireland's most time-honoured activities. In this lovingly assembled scrapbook the author looks back across seventy years with horse, gun and rod, vividly recreating a fast-vanishing milieu – stag-hunting with the Ward Union, shooting duck on Wexford's sloblands, salmon-fishing on the Owenduff, Boyne and Blackwater. With sympathetic ear and eye he evokes places and people of the Irish countryside: Jamesie Geraghty of Belmullet, Frank McManamon of Ballycroy, Count John McCormack, George V. Malcomson, Toddy O'Sullivan and others, are some of a memorable cast. Part social history, part record of country life, this invaluable, sparkling memoir by Eric Craigie warmly conveys the humour and the sorrows, and the unfailing celebrations, that is the lot and privilege of the sportsman. 'It is a long time isnce I have read a book of reminiscences as engaging' – Tony O'Riordan, the Irish Times. 'Amusing, sometimes hilarious … all the stories are told with great charm and humour.' – Lord Forte, The Field Magazine