About The Tipperary Foxhounds
The Tipperary Foxhounds, known locally as "The Tipps", are one of Ireland's few remaining packs that hunt three days a week. Throughout the hunting season, which runs from the start of November to the end of February each year, the hunt meets every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 11am. Visitors are always welcome and if you are interested in joining us for a day of sport, please email us at thetipperaryfoxhounds@gmail.com.
In addition to regular hunting, the Tipperary Foxhounds also organise a number of social events throughout the year. These include Point to Point meetings which are held twice a year in Lisronagh and our annual Hunt Ball each February.
The Country:
Ranging between Dundrum in the North, Clonmel in the South, Kilfeacle in the West and Ballintaggert in the East, the Tipperary's hunting country is one of the largest in Ireland and is spread across a large part of Ireland's prime agriculture area known as the Golden Vale. At the heart of the region lies Fethard, the epicentre of Ireland's bloodstock and horseracing industry, Coolmore, the world's premier thoroughbred stud farm and world-famous pub, McCarthy's Hotel.
The terrain crossed is extremely varied and exciting, ranging between grassland, tillage, forest, scrub and bog, whilst surrounded by some of Ireland's most stunning scenery. Jumping efforts mainly consist of natural single and double-faced Irish banks but riders can also expect to encounter open drains, stone walls, timber fences, gates and wire. Different meets/locations will cater to different levels of experience for both horse and rider, from the most novice to the most experienced.
The Hounds:
The Tipperary Foxhounds pack is currently made up of 51 couple of Modern English Foxhounds. The Modern English breed are well-known for their toughness and their speed, which can make it hard for the mounted field to keep up when scent allows it. This type of hound has been breed and produced since the 16th century to produce packs that will hunt the quarry farthest, fastest and longest, with a balance of pace points and stamina The Modern English has long been favoured in Ireland, where the breed’s toughness allows hounds to draw thick gorse coverts.