Charlie Cullen

How I became involved with English Setters

and the formation of the English Setter club of Ireland

Charlie working out the winning point at the 1977 Open Breed Stake of the English Setter Club at Slaggyford, Alston in the North of England under the scrutiny of Judge Mick Early (Prof Beazley was the other judge).

In 1974 I was visiting Des Martin in Saggart and saw a lovely litter of pups in the run by the kennels and straight away my good wife Ann and I decided to have a dog pup, Glenowlen Bracken by Glenrock Prince ex Glenowlen White Heather. At about 12 months the dog was ready for training so help was needed, as the dog was strong and fast. I enlisted the help of Michael Carroll, James Dalton and the breeder Des Martin. I bought a book on the training of dogs by Prof. John Beasley, Alf Manners and Arnold White-Robinson which was a great help and little did I think that I would be on first name terms and compete against these gentlemen. Glenowlen Bracken was shaping up well so I travelled to England with James Dalton in 1977 for the Grouse trials and was awarded reserve in the Breed Stake, which was a great achievement, and I was looking forward to 1978. So in 1978 I went with James Dalton again and won the English Setter Breed Stake under Prof. John Beasley and Michael Early and on the following day was second with a bitch Thomastown Last Farewell by Glenowlen Bracken ex Alice of Seven Springs. Bracken went on to become and Irish FTCh.

The biggest thrill I ever got was winning the World Congress Trial on the Dublin Mountains with Bragan Beauty by Storeskars G’Snorre ex Silverview Patricia who also became a FTch.

Bragan Beauty (Storeskars G’Snorre x Silverview Patricia) with the awards for winning the World Congress Trial in the Dublin Mts.

I find it hard to believe it is 25 years since the Club was formed. I will take a trip back to the seventies where John Burke, Gus Merne and myself discussed the need to promote the English Setter to gundog trainers and handlers in Ireland. On a cold wet day sitting on bales of hay in Ferns we decided that a feasibility meeting should be called. Our first attempt at calling this meeting did not go ahead due to extremely poor weather conditions. The second and successful attempt was held on the 28^th January 1979 in the Parkside Hotel on the North Circular Road. James Dalton was asked to chair the meeting due to his vast experience in handling dogs and his knowledge of running such clubs. After a full discussion on a foundation of a club a majority vote was cast by the numerous dog handlers and trainers present to set up a club. The English Setter Club of Ireland was formalised at a subsequent meeting and Jim Blake was voted in as first President, Mr Charlie Byrne as first Chairman, Ms Joy Adams as first Secretary and Eddie Lowndes as first Treasurer.

Naturally with the passage of time membership has changed. A moment should be taken to remember those that have passed away in the last twenty-five years. May they rest in peace.

As with any Club, its success is due to the members. The Club recognises the efforts and skills of past and present members and would like to thank you all for your contributions over the years. In order to ensure that the club goes from strength to strength I would encourage both old and new to become involved in the running of the club and its promotion to the next generation.

Charlie Cullen 2005 – The English Setter club of Ireland Anniversary Magazine

Photo above taken in Cork 1975

Christy Hickey with PD Parteen Sonny and ESD Windem Lad.

Charlie with FTCh Glenowlen Bracken