A CLUB which dates back to 1850, as old as the Irish state, the group was originally the Queens' County Hunt before the free state came into being, whereupon it became the Laois Hunt.

THE annual St Stephen’s day fox hunt set off from Abbeyleix amidst a show of protest by community activists. The tradition is widespread in Ireland and is echoed by the annual wren hunt, which takes place on the same day.