Doors of Mount Stewart ‘never closed to the devotees of Diana’ (1896)

“The Marquis of Londonderry has done much to revive the glories of these halcyon days, and the cordial relations which have always existed between himself and his tenantry has enabled him to act the part he has and maintain the popularity of one of the most typical Irish sports,” noted the News Letter.

It added: “The hospitable doors of Mount Stewart House have never been closed to the devotees of Diana, and never was that hospitality more lavishly extended than yesterday. There was an open house to all.

“None had cause for complaint that the lord of the manor was forgetful of the history of his noble house, which has done so much to revive the best traditions of Irish landlordism, and set an example which, if others had chosen to follow, would have caused a different story of Ireland to be told.”

After luncheon, the members of the hunt, with the popular master, Mr A M Gordon, JP, and the Marquis of Londonderry, Viscount Castlereagh, his assembled in and guests, front of the house, and were photographed by Mr W Abernethy.

The News Letter noted: “The spectacle was brilliant and attractive, and if the company was not so numerous as in other years, which may be ascribed to the inclemency of the morning, it was as representative as ever of the gentry and nobility of the Counties of Antrim and Down. Mr Abernethy was successful in obtaining two excellent photographs of the group.”

Lady Helen Stewart, Lord Reginald Stewart, and the following members of the Mount Stewart house party were present: The Marquis of Ormonde and Lady Beatrice Butler, Lord Roberts, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Ireland, and Lady Aileen Roberts; the Earl and Countess of Annesley, Lord and Lady Morris, the Honourable Mr and Mrs Kennedy, Captain and Mrs McCalmont, Sir Daniel Dixon, DL, and Lady Dixon, Mr and Mrs John Mulhall, Captain Harrison, JP; Captain Orr-Ewing, ADC to Lord Roberts; Mr J Blakiston Houston, VL, and Mr N W Apperley, private secretary to Lord Londonderry.

Of the hunt itself the News Letter reported: “The deer was enlarged at Mr Huttons, at Ballygrange, and after the usual law the hounds were laid on. If the rain of the early part of the day was an unpleasant experience, it rendered the scent keen, and a fast and exciting run was enjoyed.

“The quarry at once made in the direction of Greyabbey, turning to the left towards Ballymurphy, after which it almost doubled back on her track. Jumping the demesne wall, she made towards Ballyblack, and from thence to Cunningburn and Mount Stewart, where she took to the water, and was captured by some men in a boat.

“The run during the twenty minutes it lasted was as fast as the most intrepid follower of the chase could desire.

“The hounds hunted nicely through Cunningburn, Ballyblack, and Drumawhey. Running through the latter townland, a good many of the party came to grief at a wide drain.

“However, a large number of the field kept their places, but at Ballynestor another drain proved a serious obstacle to others.

“The deer went on to the sea. The dogs were held off, and after swimming a short way out she returned to the shore, and ran through the grounds of Mr Dunbar-Buller, DL, at Woburn, but she again, after a short turn, sought relief from pursuit in the water, and was taken by boatmen. The first run, as indicated, was a poor one, only lasting twenty minutes. The second, however, was more enjoyable and exciting, and was upwards of an hour in duration.

“The pace all through was good, notwithstanding the heavy character of the ground, and the Marquis of Londonderry and Lord Roberts were well to the front at the finish.”