December 1889.
Irish National
League meetings discussing the Beresford vs. Watters
events.
Ballon and Rathoe Branch;
Monthly meeting. The secretary
noted 54 men from Ballon and 3 from Rathoe in
attendance. He recorded that "the inclemency of the
weather accounted for the numerical inferiority of the
deputation from Rathoe".
A letter was read from the
Borris Branch relative to the monstrous behaviour of Mr
Pack-Beresford of hanging-gale notoriety, towards a
tenant of his named Mrs Watters. The principal feature
of the letter was a resolution which the Ballon / Rathoe
branch was asked to adopt, to stop Mr Beresford from
hunting with the Carlow hounds.
One member pointed out that they
could not stop him hunting as he is in the habit of
riding on the roads.
Mr Hanlon, said that he did not
approve of this method of stopping hunting.
After further conversation the
meeting unanimously adopted the resolution and directed
the secretary to communicate their intentions to Mr
Robert Watson, the Master of the hounds.
Carlow town, Tinryland and
Bennekerry Branch.
Meeting held in Town Hall. A
resolution was read from Borris condemning the treatment
which Mrs Waters had been subjected to by the landlord,
Mr Beresford, and expressed the opinion that the farmers
ought, in self-respect and to show their sympathy by
preventing Beresford from hunting over their lands. The
Chairman, Mr John Kelly, said that it was for the
farmers to decide if they would permit this
objectionable person to hunt over their lands.
Bagenalstown Branch;
Following a lengthened debate
the following resolution was passed. We call upon Mr
Beresford to reconsider his harsh treatment of Mr
Michael Waters and his mother and ask him "to put Mr
Waters on an equality with the other tenants on the
estate, failing to do this we ask the tenant farmers to
mark their disapproval of his treatment by preventing
him from hunting over their lands"..
Tullow Branch;
The meeting was requested by the
Borris branch to oppose the tyrannous treatment of Mr
Michael Waters, who was one of their members.
James Murphy said that the
Beresfords are the sorest and bitterest landlords in the
county Carlow. The Chairman, Mr Thomas Bolger, asked if
anyone could enlighten them as to the merits of this
case. He said that he was inclined to question anything
that comes from Borris as the people of that place have
been very unreliable in the past and he was reluctant to
stop Mr Beresford from hunting over his lands. Mr
Michael Murphy from Roscat told the meeting that the
hounds of the hunt had chased a pony of his across a
wire fence, causing such injuries to the animal as
caused its death in a short time. He sought compensation
from Mr Watson who directed him to Mr Hardy Eustace who
told him that the huntsman was irresponsible for every,
and all damages whilst engaged in the chase.
The Chairman stated that in his
opinion the hunt was eminently calculated to develop
both muscle and daring; "and we know that some of the
most daring officers the patriot armies of Ireland ever
produced got their training in the hunting field, albeit
the majority of modern foxhunters would sooner be
considered West Britons". The secretary was directed to
write to Borris to suggest a county convention on the
subject.
Newtown Branch;
The meeting after lengthened
consideration of a Resolution from Borris to stop Mr
Beresford from hunting over the land in the area, and of
which he is the main landlord, decided to allow the
matter to stand over until the next meeting, the
secretary , John D. McGrath, having reason to believe
that the dispute is about to be settled.
The above is a true and
accurate transcript of the original document.
Transcribed by Jean Casey, January
2010