Master McGrath
Bronze sculpture of Master McGrath in Lurgan, Co. Armagh
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| Other name(s) | Dicksy |
|---|---|
| Species | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Breed | Greyhound |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | 1866 Colligan Lodge County Waterford, Ireland |
| Died | 1873 |
| Resting place | Lurgan, County Armagh |
| Known for | Hare coursing |
| Term | 1868, 1869 and 1871 |
| Owner | The 2nd Baron Lurgan |
| Weight | 24 kg (53 lb) |
| Appearance | Black and white |
| Awards | Waterloo Cup |
Master McGrath (1866–1873) was a famous Greyhound in the sport of hare coursing.
Master McGrath was born in County Waterford, Ireland. A small, weak pup, he went on to become the most celebrated and successful dog of his time. Master McGrath was born in 1866 at Colligan Lodge, the home of James Galwey, a well known trainer and owner of greyhounds. Master McGrath was one of a litter of seven pups and although small was powerfully built. As a pup his pet name was "Dicksy".
The dog showed none of the outstanding qualities which were later to make him famous at his first trial; his performance was so bad that his trainer ordered him to be given away. As luck would have it his "slipper" (handler) took charge of him and having more faith in him, entered him in several courses which he won. After these wins he was returned to his trainer.
He won the Waterloo Cup on three occasions, 1868, 1869 and 1871 and was the first greyhound to do so. He became such a celebrity that his owner, Lord Lurgan, was asked to take him to be seen by Queen Victoria and the British Royal Family. His success enabled his owner to build a terrace of houses in Walthamstow from Master McGrath's winnings. These houses now form part of Shernhall Street, but are still clearly marked at one end of the terrace as "Master McGrath Terrace".
Master McGrath died early in 1873 of heart disease which had already ended his career as a sire. An autopsy showed that his heart was twice the size of a normal dog's heart. He was buried in the grounds of a house called "Solitude" in Lurgan. The house has since been demolished for development and Master McGrath's grave lies at a house once owned by an early English settler.
Eighteen sixty eight being the date and the year,
Those Waterloo sportsmen and more did appear;
For to gain the great prizes and bear them awa',
Never counting on Ireland and Master McGrath.
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Wikipedia