History of the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier:

Recordings by Lady Evelyn Grace, " Stafford in Eire "

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Ireland was born in 1947. Differences arose in 1955 and by the end of the year, the club had broken up. It's to be noted that they did not seek affiliation in 1956.

However, the seeds were sown and there were plenty of Staffs around Dublin city. A little time was needed for the heat to go out of the situation of individuals and their differences, stirred up by some of the members, and then a phoenix arose from the ashes. By the end of the year, the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier Association was born.

Hon Secretary: David O'Conner, Tommy O'Connell was chairman and among the very first members was Willie Delaney, John Barrnet, P.J.Jennings, T. Whittaker, J.G.Plunket, and Messers Fallon, and Skerritt.

In 1956, only ten staffs were registered. These included one by Willie Delaney
In 1957 there were twelve registrations; two more by Willie Delaney
In 1959 twenty-five staffs were registered with the I.K.C.

1959 - I.S.B.T.A show, Robert Grant judged the eighteen entries.Grant put up Willie Delaney's dog, Brindle Devil.

In 1956, only ten staffs were registered. These included one by Raymond McEvoy and one by Willie Delaney. In 1957 there were twelve registrations; two more by Willie Delaney and one by Raymond McEvoy. In 1959 twenty-five staffs were registered with the I.K.C.

The I.S.B.T.A held a club show that year. Robert Grant judged the eighteen entries. Included in these entries were D.O'Conner, Bobby Watts, and Billy Bell from the North of Ireland with his dog, East Down Rick. Grant put up Willie Delaney's dog, Brindle Devil.

1959 - I.S.B.T.A show, Robert Grant judged the eighteen entries.Grant put up Willie Delaney's dog, Brindle Devil.

In 1960 the I.S.B.T.A decided to bring in a specialist judge for the association show, and Alec Cairns was kind enough to come across and judge. Alec Cairns, also known as the "Great Nap Cairns", father to Clare Lee of the Constones affix. Alec had an entry of twenty-six Staffs, which was a fair enough entry in those days. He put up Willie Delaney's owner-bred dog, Fawn and Fancy, with his reserve going to D.O'Conner's, Docette, a grandson of Willie Delaney's, Ch. Brindle Devil.

At Monkstown Championship.Show, Mr. John Lowe put up Willie Delaney's, Fawn and Fancy.

Willie Delaney had won the Grace Perpetual Championship Cup three times, with Brindle Wee Lass being the first, and Fawn and Fancy winning the cup twice.

The first three Championship shows since the birth of the I.S.B.T.A in 1957, and with the seeds sown, and foundation of the breed clearly laid, the legacy continues.

In 1962 the I.K.C show had an entry of twenty-four Staffs, and Lady Evelyn Grace, had the pleasure of winning The Grace Perpetual Championship Cup, which she actually donated to the club. She won it with Ch. Bonnie MacGregor, who was bred by Willie Delaney, and was a direct son of Ch.Brindle Devil.

In 1963 Willie Delaney judged the I.S.B.T.A Championship club show and had an entry of fourteen Staffs selected Walter Topley's Highland Hurricane and gave his reserve to Senkrah Sabeau.

In 1964 Lal Murry judged the I.K.C show and had an entry of twenty-nine. He put up Walter Topley's, Highland Hurricane and his reserve went to Senkrah Sabeau.

In 1965, Int.Ch.Senkrah Sabeau won the Bitch CC and Best of Breed at Crufts.

Between 1956 -1966 there were three hundred and fifty one Staffs registered with the I.K.C. The enthusiasts left a prominent mark in the breed; first Willie Delaney, followed by Raymond McEvoy, Danny Naylor, and Walter Topley from the North of Ireland.

We are very proud, grateful and truly blessed that in the 21 Century we still have with us today, the all time Stafford greats of the Emerald Isle, Willie Delaney, Walter Topley, Etc. To Be Continued

Lady Grace pays tribute to two men, Mr. J.F.Gorden and Mr. Alec Cairns of which, both were always at hand and willing to help out in times of difficulty, Mr J.F.Gorden had taken a fancy to some of the staffords being produced in Ireland by Willie Delaney, Bobby Watts and and later incorperated these lines into his own breeding program and future foundation.

To be continued! * * *

If you are a stafford enthusiast and have something to add to this please email me what you have ...
info@raydelaney.net

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Article by
Ray Delaney