A CROSSGAR woman, who became one of Ireland’s first female gamekeepers, has received a prestigious award.
Hayley Dobbin has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to the countryside with a Country Sport and Country Life Award.
Currently head keeper at the Rademon estate, Hayley is a member of the Meredith family of Kilmore, who are well known and long respected in country sports circles. Her dad, Davy, encouraged his daughters to follow in his own sporting footsteps and his four girls all became adept in shooting and angling, while developing a passion for the countryside and a love of wildlife.
What started as a schoolgirl hobby fast developed into a career path for Hayley, who has a vast array of internationally recognised qualifications to support her superb practical skills.
Presenting Hayley with her award, made annually in recognition of outstanding contributions to country sports and heritage, Albert Titterington, director of The Great Game Fairs of Ireland, said: “Hayley is a countrywoman through and through and I know her late father — indeed both her parents — must have been hugely proud of all she has achieved.
“Like all her family, Hayley is driven by a genuine interest wildlife, compassion for animals, love of the countryside and respect for the sporting gun. She has a tremendous work ethos and a wonderful sense of determination, combining both to ensure the increased prestige of Rademon as a superb shooting estate.
“I happily recall presenting the then 14-year-old Hayley with one of her very first trophies when her German Pointer won an award at the Irish Game Fair.
Mr Titterington continued: “I watched with admiration as, in the years to follow, Hayley competed in shooting in the Commonwealth Games, coming a creditable second, then earned three Northern Ireland caps for Northern Ireland in the Olympic Skeet and five caps for Ireland in the English Skeet.
“She accepted every award with modesty and, when I offered congratulations, she invariably spoke with gratitude of all the people who has trained and supported her en route to those successes.”
Accepting the award, Hayley said: “I have been lucky enough to make my passion my job. There are difficult days, long days and there are many challenges, but there are also considerable rewards in game and wildlife management.
“Ultimately I am thankful for what I do and the people I have had the privilege of knowing and working with along the way. Long many it continue, for, after all, it’s in my blood and I only hope that I can pass this on to my son, just as my father passed his experiences on to me.”