Aislingcudo Gang - 2004

Aislingcudo Gang - 13 years later!

Our kennel name, Aislingcudo, literally means in the vision of Cuddy and Doherty.  From the Gaelic - the translation of aisling is vision or dream.  A vision is of course something one aspires to – it is a goal - it is something that one always seeks to attain - the journey is ongoing “miles to go before we sleep”.  Maureen Cuddy and Canon Patrick Doherty (heirs to Noble Huston’s great heritage) worked tirelessly for decades circa the 1970s.  Both are now over the “Rainbow Bridge” but their vision lives on in all those who continue to promote the breed worldwide.  Síochán – ar dheis lámh Dhé an dís acu.

Our adventure with Irish Red and White Setters began in 1993 with our eight week old Red and White Bran (Can CH Caniscaeli Two is Bran Dil) from the first CKC registered litter in Canada.   The Irish Red and White Setter was not a recognized breed in Canada in 1993 but with love, enterprise and devoted energy, in January of 2000, the breed acquired full recognition with the Canadian Kennel Club.  By then Bran had done well in the rare breed rings and won numerous Best In Show ribbons.  Also by 2000 we had imported Una (Sheebhin Snowdrop), Aine (Bobbie’s Girl) and Lonan from Ireland.  We had kept Pingin (Can CH Aislingcudo Is Pingin Ruadh) from one of our first litters.  Pingin, like Aine her ‘mom’ and Bran her ‘dad’ could also boast of winning Best In Show in the rare breed rings.  If you go to ‘OUR PAST’ on this site you can view our foundation dogs with some of their accomplishments noted.  There, also, you can read their memorials, which have become a poignant part of the historic beginnings of the Irish Red and White Setter in Canada.

Bran

Áine

Pingin

Albrecht and I had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with Mrs. Cuddy (Knockalla) on our many return visits to Albrecht’s homeland, Ireland.  During those visits she would often share historical lore on how the breed evolved in Ireland.  Without her dedication and knowledge of genetics the breed might well have become extinct.  The breed, though still rare and few in number, is recognized and endorsed in National Kennel Clubs worldwide.  On those same visits to Ireland we spent many hours visiting with Canon Doherty (Sheebhin) and Maureen Daly his superb assistant and other key individuals in the revival, good friends of Mrs. Cuddy.  The ‘story’ is that the Canon went into the Kerry Mountains looking for Irish Setters with Irish Red and White in their genetics, dogs used as foundation to revive the breed in Ireland.  It was on a dog bred by Mrs. Cuddy, Harlequin of Knockalla, owned by Ann and Allan Gormley (Meudon), that the corner stone of the revival of the Irish Red and White Setter rests.  Glenkeen Sandy (Doherty - Sheebhin) and Gay of Knockalla (Cuddy ex Gaynor) initiated a future extolled by a growing web of Irish Red and White Setter amants.

We had the cherished opportunity of showing Bran to Ann and Allan Gormley (Meudon) when they judged at a US Irish Red and White Setter Specialty in mid 1995 prior to AKC breed recognition.  In North America we have also shown to Muriel Iles (Glennessa), Pat Brigden (Autumnwood), Tom Cramer (Past President of the Irish Kennel Club), Jackie Bayne (Corranroo), Eileen Walker (Wroxham), Jackie Howatson (Vanders), Ann Millington (Coppermoor), Mary Sherratt (Charnborough) and to a host of renowned North American judges including the late lamented beloved Anne Rogers Clark.  We have visited England many times, attended Crufts and visited with breeders who were involved when the breed was first introduced to the United Kingdom where the breed flourishes.  

Pat and Bran with Ann and Allan Gormley (Meudon)

Pat and Pingin with Muriel Iles (Glenessa)

Pat and Seamus with Pat Brigden (Autumnwood)