A REPORT ON THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IRISH RED AND
WHITE SETTERS – IRELAND 2006
Three Members from the Irish Red and White Setter Club of Canada were happy to attend the 25th Anniversary of the reconstituted Irish Red and White Setter club of Ireland. The conference portion of the august event was held at The National University of Ireland (Maynooth Campus) with dinner in the beautiful Italianate Pugin Hall, where Chairman Terry O’Leary presented distinctive Celtic art plaques to President Kathy Pellerito of the U.S.A., Red and White Association, which has valiantly toiled to keep breed purity and integrity - Diarmuid Mooney of Winnowing for some two score years of devoted service to the breed’s renaissance. He has kept the faith even from down under in Australia - Mrs. Phyllis Ralston of Scotland, ably advocated for the hunting Red and White Setter - Jim Sheridan of Craigrua – famed far and wide as carrier of the Nash tradition of excellence and breeder of show and hunt field champions and international champions. To one and all we offer our heartfelt congratulations.
The conference itself was somewhat weakened by the absence of Canon Doherty. He was sorely missed by all who sought to interview with this paragon so loved by Cuddy, Kerr, Gaynor and Mooney etc. Failure of I.T. arrangements also lessened the over all impetus of some well construed informative presentations. However, the talk by Jim Sheridan on field trials and working dogs was well received. He spoke to the varied working conditions in different climes and adaptation. His presentation was particularly enthused over by the continental group, especially the Scandinavians. The presentation by Veterinary Surgeon Finbarr Heslin on Breed Health was certainly most provocative. As there is no perfect dog, to breed or not to breed depends on the degree of defect or genetic deficit in a very restricted gene pool and the need for continuous testing, produced some heated give and take with very constructive input from Chairman Terry O’Leary and British Researchers Brigden and Millington.
A delight of the day was the individual club report. Mrs. Mureil Iles spoke eloquently of the Red and White personality thus producing an unexpected tear or two. Gordon Hayburn’s, (chair of the club in England) mirthful presentation was thoroughly enjoyed, as was his slip gig in Pugin. Dr. Lappan for the U.S.A. gave a succinct overview of breed process towards A.K.C. miscellaneous recognition in 2007. The continentals expressed chagrin at the impossible position taken in Germany re roaning and breeding, was somewhat placated by O’Leary’s comments on his attempts to rectify the F.C.I. over-reaction. Fiorella Mathis of Italy broached the isolation factor and distance to events and the French rep bemoaned the paucity of contact on French soil. The renowned Diarmuid Mooney regaled with early memories, tender concessionary tributes to Cuddy and Gaynor and photos of significant renaissance animals. Membership by invitation only was how he adroitly described the ’44 “Irish” club. Dr. Pat Ua Siaghail shamelessly bragged of the wondrous course of the Red and White Canadian odyssey. Those who would like a hunting jaunt to Scandinavia are cordially invited to join them for their tenth anniversary in August 2007 - Norse, Finish and Swedish lessons surplace and gratis.
The show day, September the tenth, showed its best weather face. The site, the Irish Kennel Club’s vast show ground, was bathed in circa eighteen degrees of heat combined with a caressing breeze from the nearby east coast. The number of Irish Breeds shown was nine – our own, plus the Kerry Blue, Glen of Imaal, Wolfhound, Kerry Beagle, Wheaton, Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, and the Irish Red Setter. Some very nice animals were on show though the numbers were low and most were paraded in that irksome informal fashion - long the preserve of Irish Gentle folk. Dog entries (R&W) numbered twenty-seven and bitches twenty.
Judge for the day was Diarmuid Mooney – now living in Australia. His choices though somewhat unpredictable, were defiantly slanted towards the field dog and might not find favour elsewhere from a regular judge with an eye to the complete package. Nevertheless the lovely dogs of Margaret Sierakowski of Dalriach placed deservedly among the winners. Our own Laura Logan of Ottawa - Nepean showed a puppy of Vincent Flannelly to a winning position and we Canuks were rightly pumped with pride. Congratulations Laura – more over William!!
After the show, we made our way through congested Dublin traffic, south to the Wicklow mountains near historic Glendalough, treated to a very hearty (though not healthy heart) Irish dinner and exhibit on Guinness imbibing by Laura Logan. Kathy Pellerito, it must be confessed, did win the Pavlova eating contest thus humbling her three Canadian travel companions. Just to have us eat more “humble pie” Kathy treated us to dinner the next day.
Monday morning, the eleventh of September we faced rashers and eggs with black coffee at an ungodly early hour, before reaching the fogged in Sally Gap area in the Wicklow mountains national park, where by permission of Duchas, the hunt staging grounds were located. Only the most stalwart could face without trepidation that boggy morass at some three thousand feet elevation in the driving rain. Fifteen eager Red Setters and fifteen Red and White Setters and their besotted handlers took off in pairs. The bog and rock terrain, home to the Grouse, covered at least six or seven miles - the wonder of it all being the alacrity and intensity shown by man (woman) and dog (bitch) on the trials.
The writer of these few words was left behind at mile three by Kathy and Laura as they braved the elements till noon. Neither was recognizable by then, yet after a lunch break, both took off for a repeat dose of the pre-noon “insanity”.
After dinner that night, we were to learn that a Red had emerged in first place and a Red and White in second. We feted with Jim Sheridan and were at least one with him and his bitch in spirit if not in deed. Needless to say the party continued into the wee hours at Chuck Wagon Hazel’s. Thank you Hazel for lunch, for the soiree and for the whiskey with a little coffee in it!
The second trial day was reserved for Red and Whites. Ulster’s Linton came in victorious out of a field of close to forty animals. Laura Logan once again faced the entire ordeal, morning and afternoon and was almost too pooped to party that night (I did say almost) at the Norse/Swedish chalet. The group dispersed to locations far and wide on the 13th, definitely fatigued but happy with the camaraderie they experienced and with networking contacts guaranteed to whet their Red and White appetites for many a year.
In summation the 25th rencontre was not an unmitigated success. Lacking was the “presence” of Canon Doherty, John Kerr, Vince Brennan and the proven organizational skills of Dirk Vervenne and Jacqui Coudenys. Go maire siad I bhfad. May they all live long and plan to meet another day before I am too old to raise my pint of Guinness in their honour. Thank you to the Irish Club for its hospitality. On that front, simply nothing more could have been desired.
Dr.Albrecht Ua Siaghail – Canada @ Aisling Cudo
The First International Conference of the Irish Red and White Setter
Some Notes
At the outset it must be recognized that the conference was a masterpiece of organization . Great care was taken to anticipate every need of the conferees. All were warmly welcomed and arrangements made for accommodation, meals, transportation to the conference site, and opportunities for recreation.
The conference site itself was a fort built in 1865 as part of the fortification of the city of Antwerp. Set in a park with woodland paths, canals, and a river, the fortress presents a somewhat forbidding impression. Upon entrance, however, participants encountered a bright green carpet which when followed lead to a brick walled meeting room decorated with photographs of IR&W setters. Irish music provided a soothing background.
Since the 113 conference delegates represented 16 countries, Mr. Dirk Vervenne prepared translations of all the presentations into German, French, Dutch and English . It is my understanding that the booklets containing these translations will be made available to interested persons. During the discussion period, he translated the questions and discussion from the floor so that all phases of the conference were accessible to participants.
Our association’s petition was presented on Sunday afternoon in the conference segment entitled Evaluation of the Worldwide Irish Red and White Setter Situation In Different Countries. The letter to the conferees was very positively received and elicited immediate statements of support . Pledges to contact AKC to make clear concerns about the future of the Irish Red and White Setter in America were made by representatives of Ireland, Britain , Belgium as well as FCI. I will contact these groups to thank on behalf or our association for their support .
The program was a comprehensive one. The Saturday program included the following:
Opening Speech by Mr. Terry O'Leary, President of the Irish Red and White Setter Club of Ireland
Health, Development , and Diversity of the Breed by Mrs. Ann Millington, Great Britain
The Role of the Irish Red Setter within Red and Whites in the Past and in the Future by Mr. Dirk Vervenne, Belgium
Documented and Illustrated Presentation of the Breed According to the FCI Breed Standard by Mrs. Patricia Brigden and Mrs. Paulline Perriam, Great Britain
The Irish Red and White Setter Club of Ireland: Vision for the Future by Mr. Terry O’Leary, Ireland
Saturday Evening:
Dinner and Socialization
Sunday Program:
Field Trial and Working Dogs by Mr. Terry O’Leary, Ireland
An outdoor session at the grounds and clubhouse of the Irish Setter Club of Belgium conducted by Trudy Walsh, Ireland. Ms Walsh provided a commentary on the qualities of six Red and White Setters
Evaluation of the Worldwide Irish Red and White Setter Situation In Different Countries by Country and/or Club Delegates
A Personal Note:
What a pleasure it was to have the opportunity to meet many people I had heard or read about who were and continue to be critical to the development of the breed.
Two delegates from the United States, Debbie Cournoyer, and Marge Linewebber, association members from Rhode Island and Connecticut respectively, attended the conference. It was a treat to be able to share experiences and impressions with them on site. A late evening chat helps to sort out the activities of the day. Assistance was provided by delegates from Scotland and England as we attempted to deal efficiently with Flemish restaurant menus. A highlight of our venture was a visit to the home of Dirk and Jacqueline Coudenys where we had the opportunity to visit with their eight beautiful Red and Whites and share a delicious meal in their garden.
The most intense discussion of the conference centered on the breed standard dealing with “ roaning, flecking, and mottling”, a discussion which is not new to Americans. The differences of opinion were not resolved as , on that occasion, the discussants were not inclined to .any degree of compromise. It is planned to continue discussion of the issue in the near future.
The next world conference is scheduled for 2006 in the Dublin mountains, Ireland on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Irish Club.
Maureen T. Lapan
Irish Red & White
Setter Association Inc..
Copyright © 2008 by IRWSA Inc.. All rights reserved.