Kingsale Hounds

The Kingsale Hounds were made in honour of the close friendship between artist Adam Williams and the late John de Courcy, the 35th Lord Kingsale. Representing guardianship and companionship, the story behind these dogs reaches deep into history and is rich in meaning.

Immortalised here by Adam in cast stone, the Kingsale Hounds were specially bred hunting dogs imported by the 26th Lord Kingsale, John de Courcy (1717-1776) of Old Head Castle in County Cork, Ireland. They hunted deer on the estate with their master, and are said to have helped kill some of the last wolves in Ireland. When the estate was attacked by Lord Kingsale’s sons-in-law, his hounds protected him bravely as he made his escape.

Descended from Robert de Courcy of Courcy-sur-Dives in Normandy, whose son Richard fought at the Battle of Hastings, the Kingsale lineage is writ large in British and Irish history, having received the title Kingsale of Ringrone in the 13th century. Meanwhile, the family’s famous hounds are revered in Irish sporting legend.

Originally rendered in clay, the Kingsale Hounds cut impressive silhouettes from any angle, exuding strength and nobility – the perfect guardians at gateways and entry points. At close quarters, their painstakingly carved coats provide intriguing fine detail, while the intricate family insignia on each dog’s collar is both a reminder of their ancient heritage and a token of Adam’s friendship with Lord Kingsale.