Record turnout for 2008 Dunsany Chase

The recent Dunsany Cross-Country Chase saw a record turnout of around 175 participants in the annual equestrian event for local school funds. Meath"s longest-running chase took in a route that included Dunsany, Kiltale, Kilmessan and Tara, with over 70 jumps on the course. Townlands covered included Athronan, Kilcarty and Ringlestown. In existence since 1991, the pre-Christmas chase was originally set up to assist with church fundraising and now helps fund the schools in Dunsany and Kilmessan as well as local voluntary organisations. Mapping out this year"s route were Alex Horan, Kilmessan, and Declan Brooks and Andy Lynch, Dunsany. Afterwards, in Dunsany Hall, a presentation was made to the Lynch family in memory of May Lynch, one of the founders of the event, who with her husband, Andy, was a mainstay of the event. She died suddenly in the weeks following the 2007 running of the chase. A painting by Michael O"Brien, commissioned and sponsored by another founder, Rosemary Swan, Kilmessan, was presented to the Lynchs by Fr Andy Doyle, PP, Kilskyre, former curate in Dunsany, in memory of May and in recognition of her work with the chase. The annual auction took place in the hall, with paintings and works by Micheal O"Brien and photographer Laura Faherty, and prints by Marguerite Dolan among the items bought, as well as homemade Christmas cakes. A specially signed copy of Anne Holland"s 'The Grand National - The Irish at Aintree" was also auctioned by MC Tommy Brennan. It bore the signatures of Tommy and Paul Carberry, Robert Power, Barry Geraghty and Niall Madden, all of whom are featured in it. Paul Carberry dropped in to lend his support following Navan Races. A raffle with a prize of an overnight stay for two at Bellinter House Hotel was won by Ann Brooks, Killeen, and other prizewinners including Pat Prenderville, Ann Byrne, Athronan; Paula Byrne, Drumree, and Dolores Donohoe, Killeen. Thanks was expressed to all the sponsors, participants, stewards, helpers and supporters, as well as the landowners - McNiffs, Prestons, Drumms, Nugents, O"Mearas, Carrolls, Heerys, Carolans, Yores, Smiths, Blakes, McBrides, Quinns, Sheridans, Curtises, Reynolds and Rafters. Photographer David McLean, who attended and photographed the event, will make a donation to the chase out of proceeds of photosales on his site, www.dmc-photography.eu