Chapter:SHEEP GRAZING BY DR. J. C. CANNING

Sheep grazing has been a feature of Portarlington Golf Course since its inception. John Kenny of Garryhinch was our usual tenant and he kept about forty breeding ewes on the Course for almost thirty years. Over that period of time the annual rental varied from about £10 -£40, the land r being let under "the eleven months system". The number allowed to graze on the Course never exceeded about forty. In spring time young lambs had their attraction which appealed to children, particularly their tail wagging display when being nursed by their mother. However, not all members were appreciative of this natural display of youthful exuberance. Furthermore, the sheep droppings especially on the greens did little to enhance the environment or the quality of the greens.

The then Secretary, James J. O'Sullivan (Senior), was not impressed by the idea that their excrement would be a valuable source of course fertilization, plus the added advantages of keeping the grass in check. At our Annual General Meeting it was customary to have a motion passed regarding the letting of the grazing rights of the Course under the "eleven months system". Sheep or no sheep, that was the question in 1960-61. In the year 1961-62, when Jack Dunphy was treasurer, our financial position was deemed to be very serious. Questions were being asked would the club have to be sold!

In 1962-63, under the captaincy of P. J. Conroy, despite much adverse criticism it was decided to re-introduce sheep in a more commercial way and ease the financial burden on the hard-pressed golfing fraternity. It must be borne in mind that the annual subscription was then three pounds ten shillings, and a golf ball cost two old shillings, i.e. ten new pence. The question was asked why should the Golf Club not reap the benefit of the lush grazing on the Golf Course. The late P. J. Conlon, having had a farming background, was instructed to go west and purchase forty hoggets. They arrived in September 1962, complete with cuchs, minus tails, and were subjected to strict veterinary inspection. Naturally, having been nurtured in the rich pastures of Roscommon and surrounded by grey stone-walls, they resented their new home in the bogs. The pattern of their behaviour did nothing to endear them to the members of the Golf Club. They were no respecter of greens and when disturbed they displayed their defiance by holding their heads aloft and stamping their feet forcibly on the ground.

All went well until winter came. January and February of 1963 proved to be the most severe weather conditions within living memory. Frost and snow persisted for the two months. Herding and supervision were somewhat lax, and we lost four sheep when they went into the forestry in pursuit of ivy, the only edible substance above ground. Hand-feeding was resorted to, and our homegrown barley was well appreciated.. Finally, they were disposed of at a loss which was never calculated. What had been intended as a club saving venture, proved to be a financial disaster.

Thus ended the saga of sheep farming in Portarington Golf Club. In my opinion it was a watershed in the history of the Club. It was the Kennedy era when horizons appeared' brighter all round. But subsequent Club Treasurers took a more generous view of our assets and club members decided to put their hands in their pockets and leave sheep farming in the hands of those who knew something about it.