Johnny Fox was a notorious poacher, a man who lived off the land; he was much loved and respected by all who knew him. His home, high in the hills of County Wicklow above Dublin, was shared by his wife and brood of 11 children.
Johnny's skills at poaching were matched only by his wife's skills at cooking. Her table was the envy of all Ireland, often adorned with fresh salmon, trout, mussels, oysters, lobsters, venison, pheasant or grouse with the aroma of freshly baked soda bread ever present.

To feast at Johnny Foxes was a delight in itself. This feast was always amply washed down with a plentiful supply of poteen or stout (probably off the back of the Guinness cart.)

An evening at Johnny Foxes was not complete without a ceilidh as he loved to entertain by playing his fiddle or telling one of his many poaching tales or just enjoying the craic. His children inherited his love of music and entertaining and their musical instruments were ever present throughout the house.

Sadly, one moonlit night whilst out poaching, Johnny's reign of fun and freedom came to an abrupt and unhappy end. He was caught by the keeper and subsequently incarcerated in Dublin Jail.

Whilst awaiting trial, Johnny, with the help of his friends, feigned his own death. Indeed his wake was the last ceilidh of Johnny Foxes to be held in Ireland. As the tears rolled down the faces of friends and family, they quickly changed to tears of joy when up popped Johnny's head above the coffin, a smile on his face and the words on his lips..."Pass me my jug and my fiddle for I've thurst for a guinness."

After the most wonderful of wakes, Johnny and his family fled Ireland and took up residence on the banks of the river in Inverness... where he caught many a fine salmon.