Ireland The Irish Game And Country Fair At Birr Castle (Dog Show And Raceday) Sunday 27Th August 2017

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The Irish Game and Country Fair at Birr Castle, Sunday 27^th August 17

 

Written on the menu board in my mind for the past couple of weeks was a road trip to Birr Castle Irish Game Fair. On Sunday the 27^th August, I was able to mark it off as done, for overnight it became a reality, and rolled on into the real world. Within a hares breath we were on our way down the motorway in convoy fine and early, to this beautiful part of “Gods plan of Nature” in the County Offaly countryside.

 

Birr Castle is a very impressive Castle situated on 1200 acres of walled estate in the Magical Midlands of Ireland. With its extensive 17th century parkland, gardens, lakes, rivers, and famous herbaceous borders, this was the magnificent venue for this years Great Game Fairs of Ireland.

 

We arrived at Birr Castle at 9.30am, parked up, exercised the dogs, and headed up for our annual browse around the Game Fair and its many attractions. I will have to say this years Game Fair was bigger and better than any other year I have been to Birr Castle, and I have been to many. The weather was brilliant, the crowds were overflowing, the atmosphere was electric, and as they say in the South of Ireland, the craic was mighty.

 

As I moved around the Game Fair I met up with some old friends, but also made some new ones. Along the way I got speaking to a very nice lady from County Limerick who was involved with the Terrier and Lurchers at Adair Game Fair, County Limerick for 19 years. What a learned lady, and so interesting to speak to. It was nice to reminisce with someone who has been there and done it all. You know who you are and it was an education and a pleasure speaking to you.

 

Jill and Paul Pringle were out in force on the Great Game Fairs of Ireland stand, speaking to the many visitors who had come to the Game Fair from Ireland, from England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, Germany and further afield. What a lovely couple. They were very popular on this stand and phenomenal interest was shown in The Irish Country Sports and Country life Magazine. No doubt Jill and Paul made sure every visitor to the stand took a free copy away with them.

 

It was time for some retail therapy, so our first stop was The Edinburgh Clothing Company, and we were not disappointed. Paul Fielding was on the stand, and as usual with his very welcoming and gentlemanly ways. No doubt I did not leave empty handed, and got a good bargain. We stopped off at the main Arena to watch Derek O Byrne White strut his stuff, and what an entertaining event that was. If only I could line dance like that. Brilliant workmanship and entertainment Derek with your horses, and the line dancing ladies were magnificent.

 

Birr Castle would not be Birr Castle without paying a visit to my good friend Stephen Smith at the Barbour Stand. No matter when I meet this man he is like a ray of sunshine and a great salesman. I can honestly say Stephen has the best range of Barbour Clothing in Ireland and very easy to deal with.

 

Time was catching up on us, and very soon it was time to head back to the Dog Show Arena, for a full programme of showing and racing, and the big events of the day, the Prestigious Mick The Miller racing Championship.

 

Here are the Showing and Racing Results:

 

Overall Champion Whippet

Barry Chambers with Ruby

Reserve

Karen Cummins with Maisie

 

Overall Champion Lurcher

Tricia Donagh with Chunk

Reserve

Mikie Lyons with Sky

 

Overall Champion Terrier

Eamo Mc Erlean with Spooky

Reserve

John Keane with Ted

 

Overall Champion and Best in Show

Eamo Mc Erlean with Spooky

Reserve

Tricia Donagh with Chunk

3^rd

Barry Chambers with Ruby

 

Overall Puppy Champion

Dawn Jones with Thor

Reserve

Fiona Devlin with Musty

 

***Racing Results

 

The Mick The Miller All Ireland Racing Championship

 

1/Ned Kane with Fonk

2/Chris Canavan with Maggie

 

Directors Challenge

 

1/ James Mc Guinness with Snare

2/ Nicky Smith with Buster

 

Under 21

Mal Mc Fall with We Scared

 

Under 23

Mal Mc Fall with Frozen Scared

 

Over 23

Stephanie O Connor with Orla

 

Bull Cross

Jed Donagh with Chunk

 

Whippets

Charlene Rafferty with Zio

 

Terriers

Jed Donagh with Faye

 

A Big Congratulations to all the above worthy winners

 

At 5.30pm it was time to head up to the main arena for the historic 5 Nations Lurcher Championship. This is now an annual event at Birr Castle and generates a great buzz of excitement around the main Arena. While the judging was taking place, Stephen Mc Gonigle mingled with the good canine people around the arena with his PA System in tow, and had some great banter and chat with like minded people.

 

Albertj Titterington drove up alongside the main arena in his bat mobile, and announced that there were two very important presentations to be made before the judging ended.

 

At this point Kieran Young announced the winner of the Colette Gannon perpetual Cup for ”Country Sport Persons of the Year” 2017 won by an over whelming popular vote. This accolade went to Tricia and Jed Donagh, and what a well deserved win Tricia and Jed, and a glowing tribute to the memory of Collette. I have no doubt this beautiful treasure will take pride of place on the mantelpiece in the Donagh home to August 2018.

 

Next award was made by Mr Albertj Titterington, to Alan Crosbie for his lifetime contribution to Country Sports and his brilliant Charity contribution from the proceeds of his Dog Show in 2017. Well done Alan and well deserved.

 

Next on the menu and concluding a wonderful day at Birr Castle Game Fair was the results of the 5 Nations Lurcher Championship called out by Stephen Mc Gonigle as Follows:

 

***And Now For The Big One/ Five Nations Champion Lurcher went to:***

Jed Donagh with Chunk

 

Reserve

Pat Dunphy with George

 

A Big Congratulations to both men and well done.

 

And Finally, there is one very special friend I would like to thank for escorting myself and my weary feet back up to my car for my journey back home up north. Yes it is you Finbarr Spain a lovely gentleman and his dog Rooney. Finbarr pulled up beside me in his van as I was leaving the main arena, and offered me a lift back up to my car. You were my guardian angel Finbarr, as my body was wearing low after walking around the rings all day. Many thanks for that. Who wants Alberts bat mobile, when I have my own private transporter.

 

As usual the Roscrea team ran the show like clockwork. What a brilliantly efficient crew of people. Shane Lee, you and your team Rose and Niamh Troy, and other names I do not know, carried out your duties with sheer grit and determination and in a very professional manner, and many thanks for that.

 

The Judges on the day were first class. Rose Mc Coy Pets/Tracy Crosbie Whippets/Lurchers Nigel Quinn/Terriers John Hendrix.

Five Nations Judges : Kieran Young/Alan Crosbie/Donal Smith.

A job well done and carried out to perfection.

 

And Finally, Finally, I always leave the best to last. This accolade goes out to Albertj Titterington and his lovely wife Irene, and their Co Directors for a great weekend in Birr Castle. Albertj without you and your brilliant team this would not be possible .So many of our Canine folk look forward through the window of Country Sports, to your 2 Great Game Fair events of the year at Shanes Castle, and Birr Castle.

 

As we are approaching the dark cold days and long nights of winter, when the snow hits the window, we will gather round the fire, and chat about our moments of glory and the craic we had at your Game Fairs, and all the other Dog shows up and down the country, who also gave us so much joy and entertainment during the year.

 

Albert, you are Simply the Best, and will always be “King Of The Castle.” May Irene and yourself have good health and happiness and continue to run your top Game Fairs for many years to come. Albert you do so much for and contribute to Country Sports, and work so hard behind the scenes to make things happen, we are truly grateful. Thanks for all the lovely memories of 2017, and look forward to seeing you again in 2018 God willing.

 

***All the Photographs of Birr Castle are on my Facebook Timeline at the moment and many more from shows through out the year.***

 

 

 

Margaret Mc Stay

Edited August 31, 2017 by appleblossom