My Privileged Life

by Thady Ryan, W. A. Ringrose (Foreword by)

Overview

The Ryans of Scarteen have been hunting their distinctive "Black and Tan" hounds for over three hundred years. The author, a universally loved sportsman, was Master and huntsman of this world-famous pack for a half century. In this warmly personal autobiography, he introduces his ancestors -a who's who of Ireland's great families- and recounts his own sporting life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781586670962
Publisher:	Derrydale Press
Publication date:	09/01/2002
Series:	Derrydale Press Foxhunters' Library Series
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	7.28(w) x 10.26(h) x 1.08(d)

About the Author

Thadeus "Thady" Ryan is Master of Foxhounds of the Scarteen in County Limerick, Ireland. He served as Chef d'Equipe of the Irish 3-day Olympic teams and served his government as its designated sporting ambassador. He has retired to his wife's homeland of New Zealand.

Table of Contents

	Abbreviations	vii
	Ryan Family Tree	ix
	Foreword	xi
	Acknowledgments	xiii
	Preface	xv
Part I	Looking Back with Pride
1	The Hill of Howth	3
2	A Legacy to Honour	4
3	The Emly Connection	11
4	The Pope's Oak	13
5	Master John	17
6	A Miraculous Survival	21
7	Freedom	24
Part II	A Fortunate Childhood
8	Home Sweet Home	29
9	Hi Brother	35
10	Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All about You--Great Hunting Families	39
11	Killashee	45
12	A First Taste	47
13	Ampleforth	51
14	The Ampleforth College Beagles	59
Part III	Initiation to Mastership in the 1940s
15	Back to the Soil	65
16	Cupid Strikes a New Target	76
17	Into Harness I	83
18	The First Great Love of My Life--My Family	85
19	Our Greatest Sorrow	88
Part IV	The Second Love of My Life
20	Dark as Hell and Smells of Cheese	95
21	Some Thoughts on Hounds and Their Origin	99
22	A Huntsman's Nightmare	109
23	A Family Affair	113
24	Eventide	116
25	Into Harness II	121
26	Debits and Credits--Some Highs and Lows of My Early Seasons	124
27	(Some of) My Mortal Sins!	136
28	A Sad Parting--But Compensation Follows	140
29	A Happy Union	144
30	The Family Increases	148
31	Cead Mile Failte	150
32	A Horse Is Man's Best Friend	159
33	Sporthorse or Hunter?	168
34	Ode to a Fox	174
Part V	Foxhunting--More Than Chasing Foxes
35	A Busman's Holiday	183
36	To Tell the Truth	194
37	California, Here We Come	198
38	Target--Europe!	202
39	The Royal Dublin Society--A Landmark in My Life	206
40	Judges Differ and ...	218
41	Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? I Do ... Don't ...?	233
42	Sayonara	236
43	Manana ...	247
Part VI	Some Final Thoughts
44	Things That Matter	257
45	Parish Bonds	261
46	A Momentous Decision	264
47	Ambition Achieved	267
48	"Master, Are You Leaving Us?"	273
49	Scarteen, New Zealand	278
50	Our New Life	283
51	Sunset	287
	Epilogue	297
	Glossary	299
	References	301

Editorial Reviews

My privileged life is not just about foxhunting. It is a very personal memoir, full of ancestral pride and familial love, told in a vivid and engaging manner.

New England Horse Talk

His (Thady Ryan) memoirs, fueled by his love of horses and hounds are more than an ode to hunting. They concern the importance of family, faith and sport, pride in one's work and play, dedication to the balance of nature, and a bottomless enthusiasm for living.

In and Around Horse Country

"Derrydale Press published his deeply personal and charming autobiography, My Privileged Life, which has been enthusiastically received around the world."

Covertside - NMF