Ashbrook Arms (Co.Laois)

“The ambience at the Ashbrook Arms and the warm welcome given to all guests by the Murphy family has been much commented on in international tourism websites such as TripAdvisor where there are numerous very complimentary comments on the beautiful house and the quality of the service.” A seductive description, but an alternative that potential pro-wildlife clients like to read comes courtesy of a January 2025 edition of the pro-hunt Irish Field: “Horses and hounds had earlier unboxed in the yard of the Ashbrook Arms at the other end of the village [Durrow]…It is now the property of Sean Murphy, a brother of Seosamh and Tomás…Photos taken, hounds retraced their steps to Ashbrook Arms, where the attendant farm is owned by Tomás Murphy, so a warm welcome was assured…With shadows lengthening, our huntsman blew for home and made the short hack back to the Ashbrook Arms, where boxes were parked.” Hunting is still (shamefully) legal across the whole of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and according to the same article, Liz Lane – “a distinguished veterinary surgeon, whose opinion is often quoted on veterinary matters” – was “out with the hunt”. According to the report, she previously “hunted with the Limerick Harriers and the Clare Hunt” and is “a former whipper-in of the Limerick Harriers”.