{"id":3247,"date":"2017-08-03T13:33:12","date_gmt":"2017-08-03T13:33:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kildare.ie\/ehistory\/?p=3247"},"modified":"2017-08-03T13:33:12","modified_gmt":"2017-08-03T13:33:12","slug":"punchestown-in-1863","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/punchestown-in-1863\/","title":{"rendered":"PUNCHESTOWN IN 1863"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leinster Leader<\/em> 3 May 1913<\/strong><\/p>\n

PUNCHESTOWN IN 1863<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before the incidents of the recent successful racing carnival at Punchestown have faded away into memories of the remote past, we feel sure that the following lines written on the famous meeting in 1863 will be read with an interest by many of our readers calling up as they do recollections of manes and personages in the world of sport in years gone by. The manuscript has been kindly lent to the \u201cLeader\u201d by an old reader, and as we believe few if any other copies of the manuscript exist, its reproduction in our columns, will be all the more acceptable: –<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A loud hurrah for Ireland boys,<\/p>\n

And a louder for Kildare,<\/p>\n

And the loudest of all for Punchestown,<\/p>\n

For I know you all were there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Full many a year, both wet and dry.<\/p>\n

We have climbed that stand of yore,<\/p>\n

But such a meeting as Sixty-three,<\/p>\n

Has never been seen before.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was a merry April day,<\/p>\n

And the sun shone bright and fair,<\/p>\n

On the blue and distant Wicklow hills,<\/p>\n

And the plains of our own Kildare.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2018Tis a glorious view that meets the eye,<\/p>\n

From our own familiar course,<\/p>\n

And green are the meadows of Punchestown,<\/p>\n

And golden is far-famed gorse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ah! many a day in that far-famed gorse,<\/p>\n

Our gallant fox we\u2019ve found.<\/p>\n

And seen him break for Eadstown straight,<\/p>\n

As a Punchestown fox is bound.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But another sight now greets our eyes<\/p>\n

For the flags are streaming free,<\/p>\n

And the booths shine white, and the laden cars<\/p>\n

Come jingling merrily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Upon the Naas and Dublin roads<\/p>\n

You scarce can pass along,<\/p>\n

And Newbridge and the Camp have done<\/p>\n

Their part to swell the throng.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And everything that rolls on wheels<\/p>\n

Are crowding to the front.<\/p>\n

For this is Ireland\u2019s Derby Day,<\/p>\n

The glory of the Hunt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And where, but at Punchestown, could you find<\/p>\n

A scene so glad and gay.<\/p>\n

Or toilettes so fresh or eyes so bright,<\/p>\n

As are filling that stand to-day?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From South to West, and even from North,<\/p>\n

They come, a jovial crew.<\/p>\n

And many an M.F.H. is there,<\/p>\n

And many a sportsman true.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From where bold Watson winds his horn<\/p>\n

Among Collattin\u2019s hills.<\/p>\n

From where Sam Reynell\u2019s cheery voice<\/p>\n

O\u2019er Meath\u2019s broad pastures thrills.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From brave Kilkenny\u2019s spreading woods<\/p>\n

From the wave-washed rocks of Clare,<\/p>\n

From where Tipperary\u2019s mountains look<\/p>\n

O\u2019er valleys rich and fair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From Wexford\u2019s plains, from fertile Cork,<\/p>\n

From the Shannon\u2019s smiling shore,<\/p>\n

From where against wild Galway\u2019s cliffs<\/p>\n

The Atlantic surges roar.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From the fields of Louth, from Westmeath\u2019s lakes,<\/p>\n

From where Suir\u2019s bright waters run,<\/p>\n

From the wide Heath that sportsmen love<\/p>\n

They are coming to see the fun.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And Dublin sends its flower and pride,<\/p>\n

For the Viceroy\u2019s staff are here,<\/p>\n

And many a linesman, and bold dragoon<\/p>\n

And many a bombardier.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And the county\u2019s there, both high and low,<\/p>\n

Around us and above,<\/p>\n

Is every name we know full well<\/p>\n

And every face we love.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There are Bourkes, Moores and Kennedy\u2019s<\/p>\n

Rynds, Henrys, and Mansfields three<\/p>\n

And Bernard, and Tuthill, and Warburton<\/p>\n

And Beresford, A.D.C.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And he whom spite of maps we claim,<\/p>\n

The Lord of Ballymure<\/p>\n

That friend in need in the hunting field,<\/p>\n

Our own good Richard Moore.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dear Old Wakefield who leads the win<\/p>\n

Of the riders from Kildare<\/p>\n

And both the Tynths \u2013 what were our hunt<\/p>\n

Without that sporting pair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From the high roofs of Gowran Grange<\/p>\n

From Lyons\u2019 lordly bowers<\/p>\n

From Castletown and Killashee,<\/p>\n

From Leixlip\u2019s moss-grown towers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From hospitable Palmerstown,<\/p>\n

From Russborough\u2019s ancient hall,<\/p>\n

From Straffan\u2019s green and peaceful shades<\/p>\n

They are coming one and all.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here the member for Punchestown,<\/p>\n

Tom Connolly canters by,<\/p>\n

There beneath his new white hat<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlie Hoffman winks his eye.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Many an English guest is here<\/p>\n

M.P.\u2019s and sporting squires;<\/p>\n

Many a name of high renown<\/p>\n

From the famous English Shires.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I could tell of more, but the time is short,<\/p>\n

And I hear the saddling bell,<\/p>\n

And frantic stewards rush to and fro<\/p>\n

In the pink we love so well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here are the kindly voice and smile<\/p>\n

Of our own good Lord of Naas;<\/p>\n

And by his side our Member shows<\/p>\n

His jovial form and face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Charley Roberts of Sallymount<\/p>\n

Aylmer of Donadea<\/p>\n

And Edward Mansfield, the Hunt\u2019s right hand<\/p>\n

A right good fellow he.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And here is our Baron, whose labour of love<\/p>\n

Has with such success been crowned \u2013<\/p>\n

We will greet him well by the cover side<\/p>\n

When November\u2019s joys come round.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And he is here, who works so hard<\/p>\n

For our county\u2019s and races\u2019 name;<\/p>\n

Without him, Punchetown would be<\/p>\n

Still all unknown to fame.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But one we miss: – Oh cruel Fate<\/p>\n

That causes this complaint!<\/p>\n

He leaves a blank no one else can fill \u2013<\/p>\n

Where is our little saint?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But see! they\u2019re started \u2013 and nine are off<\/p>\n

For the Punchestown Plate to run.<\/p>\n

But black and silver shows first in front,<\/p>\n

And Ladybird has won.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Next comes a match \u2013 but for all the heed<\/p>\n

That we take of it here to-day,<\/p>\n

The horses and their riders too<\/p>\n

Might as well have staid away<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And now the National \u2013 Twenty-eight<\/p>\n

In the starting field find place;<\/p>\n

But ere the ground is half gone o\u2019er<\/p>\n

But seven is in the race<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The seven now are reduced to two,<\/p>\n

The struggle is theirs alone \u2013<\/p>\n

One rush, brave Kino! \u2018Tis in vain,<\/p>\n

And Lightheart\u2019s numbers shown.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Hunt Plate\u2019s next \u2013 and for it I see<\/p>\n

There are ten at the post to-day,<\/p>\n

But the little jockey who rides Blush Rose<\/p>\n

Has carried the prize away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Soldier\u2019s Race! and we all must wish<\/p>\n

Success to that good brown horse,<\/p>\n

Whom the same bold rider steered last year<\/p>\n

O\u2019er the same victorious course.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The flag is dropped \u2013 seven start \u2013 and soon<\/p>\n

Bold Barclay leads the way.<\/p>\n

Sir William never is caught again<\/p>\n

And the tartan has won the day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hurrah for the good brown horse! and joy<\/p>\n

To his gallant owner here,<\/p>\n

A sportsman true, and to all Kildare<\/p>\n

A friend most loved and dear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the last race upon the card \u2013<\/p>\n

There are seven numbers up;<\/p>\n

Who will win this fair and goodly prize,<\/p>\n

Our own renowned Hunt Cup.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Six strive and strain and spur in vain,<\/p>\n

They are beaten every one,<\/p>\n

And valiant Thomas upon Fusee,<\/p>\n

In a common canter\u2019s won.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We will not grudge it altho\u2019 it falls<\/p>\n

To a distant county\u2019s share,<\/p>\n

For a better fellow than Joseph Tuite<\/p>\n

Never rode across Kildare.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To-morrow comes \u2013 the sun looks forth<\/p>\n

On Punchestown\u2019s second day.<\/p>\n

And again the crowds are filling the stand,<\/p>\n

And all is bright and gay.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Naas Plate\u2019s first upon the card,<\/p>\n

And nine come forth to run;<\/p>\n

Now who\u2019s the favourite \u2018gainst the field?<\/p>\n

Oh who but Oberon<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Right fit he looks, the good old horse;<\/p>\n

And who his thoughts shall tell,<\/p>\n

As the takes the lead and clears each fence,<\/p>\n

On the course he knows so well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He\u2019s never headed \u2013 and all the crowd<\/p>\n

Rejoice that he\u2019s won the race,<\/p>\n

For no colours our county holds more dear<\/p>\n

Than the black with the silver lace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The great event of the day is next \u2013<\/p>\n

For generous Downshire\u2019s hand<\/p>\n

Has given for prize that goodly Cup<\/p>\n

That graces the Steward\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Oh would that himself were here to see!<\/p>\n

There are twelve gone down to start;<\/p>\n

And to win the Cup is the dearest wish<\/p>\n

Of every owner\u2019s heart<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hurrah, brave Lightheart! well done good horse!<\/p>\n

In triumph he rushes by<\/p>\n

And the brave Tipperary boys bear off<\/p>\n

Their second victory<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But my tale is long and the time is short,<\/p>\n

I cannot stay to tell<\/p>\n

How Paley won the Garrison Plate<\/p>\n

On the black we know so well.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How the Farmer\u2019s Race had fall\u2019n<\/p>\n

To the Duke of Magenta\u2019s lot.<\/p>\n

How Melody won the Welter Stakes,<\/p>\n

And Scramble Forget-me-not.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Punchestowns o\u2019er! and when any here<\/p>\n

Look back on the sports again<\/p>\n

May they find in them a pleasant thought<\/p>\n

And never a sting of pain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And when the merry April days<\/p>\n

Bring back this time of glee,<\/p>\n

With its joyous crowds of high and low<\/p>\n

May we all be there to see.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Farewell, kind friends who come from far!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ll all return next year,<\/p>\n

You shall find the best of all good sport<\/p>\n

And an Irish welcome here.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And for ourselves \u2013 we part \u2013 but soon<\/p>\n

Will those joys again begin<\/p>\n

When we see our Baron among his pack<\/p>\n

In the front of Johnstown Inn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And all our country, rich and poor<\/p>\n

Is there, and old and young<\/p>\n

Each one with friendship within his heart,<\/p>\n

And kindness upon his tongue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then here\u2019s a health to Ireland boys<\/p>\n

And a health to our own Kildare,<\/p>\n

And the last and loudest to Punchestown,<\/p>\n

And our next merry meeting there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Leinster Leader 3 May 1913 PUNCHESTOWN IN 1863 Before the incidents of the recent successful racing carnival at Punchestown have faded away into memories of the remote past, we feel sure that the following lines written on the famous meeting in 1863 will be read with an interest by many of our readers calling up […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-newspaper-articles"],"blocksy_meta":[],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"Kildare Local Studies","author_link":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/author\/localstudies\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3247"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3247\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kildarelibraries.ie\/ehistory\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}