The Galway Blazers, also known as the County Galway Hunt, have a rich history dating back to the late 1700s and early 1800s. Initially, they were private packs of hounds owned by large landowners, who would hunt in a private capacity. The "Blazers" name is said to have originated from either the burning of Dooley's Hotel after a hunt celebration or from the frequent dueling among the hunters. The hunt is one of the most renowned Irish hunts.
W. B. Yeats wrote of one of the Blazer's horsemen Robert Gregory.
When with the Galway foxhounds he would ride
From Castletaylor to the Roxborough side Or Esserkelly plain, few kept his pace, At Moneen he had leaped a pace,
So perilous that half the astonished meet Had shut their eyes; and where was it
He rode a race without a bit?
And yet his mind outran the horse's feet.
The Galway Blazers by Vincent Haddelsey
Vincent Haddelsey is an English painter who was born 1934 in Grimsby, England. Most of his family were lawyers including his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Both of his grandmothers were extremely talented painters. Haddelsey attended school in Ampleforth in Yorkshire. In regards to his painting, for the most part he is self taught. In his works, he mainly focuses on the theme of landscapes and horses. He won the Great
Prize of Lugano for his naive art in 1969.Please contact kilmartinregina8@gmail.com