John Poyntz, 5th Earl Spencer (1835-1910) with the Ward Union Hunt, 1877.

Michael Angelo Hayes (1820-1877), an Irish painter of Military and Sporting subjects, was born in Waterford and was the son of the portrait painter Edward Hayes. He earliest success was with Car driving in the South of Ireland, which were engraved in 1936. He exhibited several Anglo India military subjects including His Majesties 3rd Dragoon Guards taking the principal Sikh battery at Moodkee (London, Royal Academy, 1847, no1022).

The Ward Union is the only Stag hunt in Ireland and was found in 1854. It takes its name from a hamlet and river called the Ward in the parish of Finglas in North Dublin and a roadside Hotel at the time called The Union.