A big THANK YOU to the Limerick branch of Down Syndrome Ireland for becoming the latest charity to say NO to donations from fox hunts.

The charity has responded positively to an appeal and rejected a donation from the County Limerick Foxhounds hunt.

“Following review, the donation has now been returned as it was determined to be incompatible with our donation acceptance policy,” Down Syndrome Ireland stated this week.

“We would like to clarify that the team at Down Syndrome Limerick was entirely unaware that this donation originated from the Limerick Hunt - the donation was made unsolicited directly into our bank account and was referenced only as ‘Pony Club’, which did not raise any concerns at the time,” the charity stated. “We had received prior correspondence from the organisation, but we were not informed that this money was a result of attendance of a fox hunt or had any association with hunting. In addition, there was no cheque presentation or engagement with us in relation to the donation.”

According to a report in the Irish Field of 13 March 2026, "County Limerick Hunt raised €510 for Down Syndrome Ireland by tallying their tumbles on the hunting field this season", i.e. the number of times hunters fell off horses while they were chasing after foxes. Down Syndrome Ireland was told about the cruelty of fox hunting and that fundraisers by hunts are typically used to try and get some positive publicity and divert attention away from the ugly reality of terrorising and killing wildlife. 

Thumbs up to Down Syndrome Limerick for its compassionate response.

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Say “thank you” to Down Syndrome Limerick by making a donation

https://downsyndromelimerick.ie/donate/

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Over the years, several charities have rejected donations from hunts. For example, LauraLynn stated that a donation from a fox hunt group was accepted in error. A spokesperson for the children's hospice charity commented: “It has come to our attention that in December 2023 a donation from South Westmeath Hunt, was accepted by LauraLynn in error. A review of all our processes, including our fundraising policy, is currently underway to prevent this kind of error occurring in the future." Previously, Pieta House was thanked for rejecting a "Hunt for Light" hunt fundraiser in Tipperary. A spokesperson commented at the time: “We cannot be seen to have an association with or endorsement of bloodsports, and so we feel it would be inappropriate for us to benefit from or to be associated with a hunt. People across Ireland are so incredibly supportive of Pieta House, but in some cases - such as this one - the manner of the fundraiser is incompatible." The Hope Foundation also turned down a fundraiser organised by a hunt in Cork. The charity contacted the organisers of the fundraiser to say "we do not wish to have this fundraiser carried out in the name of HOPE."  

DID YOU KNOW? Irish taxpayer-funded Horse Racing Ireland has handed out €15,585,000 to hunts since 2014 (in the form of point-to-point racing grants), including over €1.78 million in 2025. The County Limerick hunt has received over €148,000 over the years, including €17,200 in 2025. Join us in urging the Irish Government to stop this funding and redirect the money to charities and community groups crying out for support - Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; simon.harris@oireachtas.ie

SEE ALSO

€13.7 million granted to hunts since 2014 

https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2025/12/27/e13-7-million-granted-to-hunts-since-2014/