Possibly the least known of the Irish breeds is the Kerry Beagle, one of Ireland’s oldest dog breeds that may have originated from Celtic hounds bred with European dogs to make for stronger hunting dogs. We prefer the local legend that instructs us that when Noah’s ark came to rest against Galtymore (the highest peak in Tipperary), two black and tan hounds picked up the scent of a fox and leapt off the coat in pursuit, never to be seen again.
Possibly, since only one major pack of Kerry Beagles was left in the 1800s, the famous Scarteen of County Limerick belonging to the Ryan family, which still exists today. The image seen here comes from an article about this pack which you can read here.
As an aside, the Kerry Beagle has nothing in common with the Beagle as we know it. It’s longer, larger, and because it came to America with many Irish immigrants, some believe it to be a foundation breed in development of the Coonhound.