Ireland The Irish Game Fair And Fine Food Festival, Shanes Castle, Saturday 25Th June And Sunday 26Th June 2016.

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The Irish Game Fair and Fine Food Festival, Shanes Castle, Saturday 25^th June and Sunday 26^th June 2016.

 

 

The Irish Game Fair and Fine Food Festival is not only Ireland's premier Game Fair and Country Sports Event, but also one of Ireland's most exciting and action packed 2 'days out' for the whole family. Shanes Castle, Co Antrim was the magnificent venue last weekend for The Great Game Fairs of Ireland and Fine Food Festival.

 

This Castle is steeped in history, sitting on the north-east shores of Lough Neagh, and built in 1345 by a member of the O'Neill dynasty. It was here in the shadow of the historical Green Glens of Antrim last weekend, thousands of visitors from north and south of the border and further afield came to view the challenges for the sporting elite, and to partake in the many areas of Country sports.

 

The Game Fair provided a vast array of sporting interests, from Clay pigeon Shooting, Gun Dogs, Angling, Fishing training for the little people, Fine Foods of all categories, including delicious varieties of local produce. Top Chef Emmett Mc Court was there demonstrating and cooking some fine food flavours for our hungry palets. The smell of fine food was definitely wafting in the air here.

 

As usual the Canine world was well catered for. The main arena provided nonstop entertainment all day. Keith Mathews “The Dog Guru” and his talented young son Cole were there, teaching their attentive audience how to handle their Canine friends. There was also Falconary displays and many more events in the main arena during the weekend.

 

 

 

Very soon it was time for some retail therapy. Although the weather was not to kind to us, it did not damper the spirits of the Country Sports people as we strolled around at our leisure visiting the many stands , ice cream vans, and spoke to many friends along the way. I met up and chatted with Concepta O Goan, Jill Pringle, Mc Grath Family, Helen Hunter and her family and John Keane from the deep south, to mention but a few. We strolled on along the stands and stopped off at, Barbour, and had a yarn with Stephen Smith. What a gentleman, and always so welcoming.

 

As our legs got weary, and our money all spent, we headed back to the Lurcher and Terrier arena, as it was time for the Master Mc Grath, and the yearly highlight of the canine world at Shanes Castle.

 

Some excitement here, when Michael Mc Graths dog Showgun pipped the post first and Nicky Smiths Dog Scooby coming reserve. It was so worth the journey to see the look of joy on these two young sporting peoples face.

 

After a great days excitement at the racing on Saturday, Sunday was a new day for Ferrett and Dog Showing Day.

 

Of course the Ferret Showing and Racing is the highlight of the show for me. I can honestly say these little animals brought out the best audience participation I have seen in a long time. Graham Fyffe, and Darren Moore, provided young and old with a display of Sportmanship. They were helped along by a very avid commentator, Development and Country Sports Director Stephen Mc Gonigle and was carried out so efficiently. Even inwardly I am scared stiff of these little animals, but I must say I loved this part of the Game fair dearly.

 

 

Graham Fyffe and Darren Moore was awarded a lifetime achievement award for their work with Ferretts and Country Sports from Mr AJ Titterington at the Shanes Castle Press Reception. Congratulations, a well deserved win by both men.

 

Here are the Overall Showing Results. (I don’t have Racing Results)

 

Overall Lurcher:

Neil Mitchell with Jip

Reserve

Mickey Quinn with Hoss

 

Overall Terrier:

Dessie Mackin with Bounty

Reserve

James Mc Cullough with Rubel

 

Overall Whippet :

Davy Best with Merlin

Reserve

Leeroy Mc Cullough with Tizer

 

Overall Puppy Champion :

Wesley Scott with Terry

Lucinda Thompson with Darcy

 

Overall Supreme and All Ireland Champion, Shanes Castle 2016 went to :

Dessie Mackin with Bounty.

 

The Big One – Five Nations Whippet Champion Shanes Castle 2016 went to:

 

Graham Fyffe with Bolt

Reserve

Leeroy Mc Cullough with Tizer.

 

 

A big congratulations to Graham, Leeroy and Dessie and all the above worthy winners

 

 

All too soon the Game Fair came to a close on Sunday. Despite the enclement weather, the books have shown record crowds again this year on both days at Shanes Castle. This Game Fair was run with and under the guidance of people who are passionate about Country Sports. Might I add, Albert and Irene Titterington, and their co directors bring a creative marketing flair, vast event organisation, a wealth of experience, and a lifetime's commitment to the promotion and enjoyment of all Countrysports. Of this we are truly thankful.

 

And Finally, May I thank the Judges on the day : Whippets : Martin Foy /Lurchers : Sean Turley /Terriers:Sam Mc Cullough

 

Gents Handling Class : Margaret Mc Stay

Childrens Handling Class : Susan Mc Cann

 

Five Nations Judges : Margaret Martin/ John Mc Stay/Tom Barry. A job well done to all involved.

 

And Finally, many thanks to Tom Barry Director of Lurcher, Terrier and Whippets, Racing and Showing ,and his wife Leanne Barry, children Morgan and Ethan, and their team of helpers, for organising and running the Racing and Showing at Shanes Castle so effective and efficiently again this year. A lot of hard work and slepless nights, but it all paid off in the end, and was a credit to you and your team.

 

Bluebell( Deidre Mc Coy) Billy Harpur and myself were there with our cameras and phones, recording every ones moment of glory.

 

 

And Finally, Finally, major investment over the last number of years by the Great Game Fairs of Ireland team has seen its Fairs at Shanes Castle and Birr Castle developed to a stage where they are unchallenged in the domination of their sector within the Irish Market place. The Game Fair at Shanes Castle has impeccable credentials, and annually attracts more than 25,000 people to the region, delivering a timely boost to tourism and an opportunity for town and country to come together to celebrate and enjoy the craic, along with some of our finest Country Sports and traditions.

 

None of this would be possible without the man of the moment and his brilliant team of helpers. Albertj Tittering , it is you I am writing about again this year. You are definitely the” King of the Castle,” and you and your good wife Irene are in a league of your own. What can I say to describe two kind, thoughtful and generous people, that has given their life for the good of Country sports and all the good causes that goes with it. Our lifes have been enriched with the excellent work and enjoyment you give to many families across the country, through your Game Fairs.

 

Albert and Irene you are a shining example in the Country Sports world, it is an honor to be your friend, and long may you continue in the Canine world and the world of Country Sports.

 

 

Thank you for a weekend full of joy and excitement, and above all a great window for Country Sports.

 

 

And now for Birr.

 

 

Margaret Mc Stay

Edited June 29, 2016 by appleblossom

[AlbertJ 569]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you say it is on to Birr on for our show on the 27th & 28th August. And in fact Paul, Steven and I started working on putting many of the final touches to Birr and Montalto on Monday morning while the real heroes of this year's fair, the guys on the ground continued with their strip down of the fair started on Sunday night and completed yesterday pm. This team too are all country sports people and are led by Edwin and Peter who go on site on the Saturday before the fair and literally work 24/7 over the time of the fair.

 

When the weather is fine it is a pleasure to build and organise fairs but when the weather is bad as happened on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday it is a dreadful job, I know, as up until a couple of years ago I led from the front at Shanes until I realised that I was better moving on to the next one in reasonable shape! However I am still fully involved in the strip out and litter clean up at Birr so I do appreciate how hard others work to leave the site in the state we found it. These people do it not only for their modest share of the proceeds but because like me they enjoy the challenge of putting the event together to promote the sports that we all love and which have given us huge enjoyment over the years.

 

We also owe a great debt to the families who braved the weather on Sunday and created the great 'lets get on with it' atmosphere.

Edited June 29, 2016 by AlbertJ