The Mill at Ballyduggan (Co.Down)

“From a relaxing, freshly-brewed tea or coffee in the ground floor restaurant with exposed beams and roaring open fire, a quick lunch, to a three course meal or wedding ceremony and reception, the flexible and accommodating staff at Ballydugan Mill will work to make your visit one to remember.” How will those same ‘accommodating staff’ react to hunt fundraisers in a part of the UK where fox hunting is still (shamefully) legal but polling consistently shows a majority want it banned? The Mill is a known supporter of the notorious East Down Hunt, in recent times hosting their ‘Valentines Hunt Ball’ in February 2024 and hosting the more prosaic (or less ambitious?) ‘Hunt Ball’ a year later in February 2025. Local activists have contacted the hotel but it remains steadfast in its support for hunting so far…