New Attraction for Irish Game & Country Fair

[AlbertJ 569]

The Great Game Fairs of Ireland lead the way for innovation in terms of new competitions, new events and new attractions. Overall we try to develop attractions with a traditional ethos that will both entertain and educate - we think that the 'Victorian Poacher' is such an attraction.

 

Debuting at the Ballywalter Fair and developing at Shanes Castle - he is bringing 'the complete package' to Birr - a good arena act demonstrating a traditional craft but with an amusing twist for the public and for the first time in Ireland mounting a 'Pugs and Drummers' stand demonstrating the various ways of hunting rabbits.

 

But we will let Paul Pringle set the scene :

 

The Victorian Poacher remains at large....

 

Constable Lawton of our local police constabulary has informed us that the notorious Victorian Poacher, remains at large, despite being seen exclusively at the Great Game Fairs of Ireland. He has been seen and pursued and rumours abound but he has not yet been identified.

 

There were several unsuccessful attempts to apprehend him at both the Ballywalter & Shanes Castle Game Fairs, where not only was he seen by thousands of people, but he had the sheer cheek to actually show how he went about his disreputable business.

 

He was last spotted sporting a long black coat, knee high black boats and a flat cap and had with him a suspicious looking small, blue grey coloured whippet type dog.

 

Incidents seem to take place at these Game Fairs where rabbits were captured by an old method known as long netting, in front of record audiences - how audacious is the man!

 

All this is full public view - but apparently the law is powerless to apprehend the so-called Victorian Poacher.The small whippet type dog was involved in the incident and was spotted alongside the Victorian Poacher carrying a rabbit while being pursued by a certain Constable Lawton at high speed from the main arena.

 

Our sources inform us that the Victorian Poacher is now making his way to Birr Castle Co Offaly, in time for another spectacular two day Game Fair from the Great Game Fairs of Ireland. He will no doubt make some attempt at poaching game in front of more record crowds using his old methods and more modern methods alongside his tiny whippet.

 

The watching crowd will no doubt be held spellbound by the animal’s high speed rabbit catching display.

 

But that’s not all. Rumours are rife that he is bringing along his very own stand to the Birr, no doubt to tempt the unwary public with ‘longnetting advice’ and much more besides. The Poacher has whispered to his cronies that totally exclusive to the Great Game Fairs of Ireland and a first in Ireland he is actually showing ‘The Ways of the Rabbit Catcher’ comprising every aspect of rabbit catching throughout history and into modern times. The bounder will demonstrate a day’s ferreting, showing just how dogs, ferrets & nets all come together to create a unique team of rabbit catchers. Net making, snare making and trapping will also be on show as well as old poachers’ methods and a whole lot more.

 

Needless to say we disapprove of the whole thing and the public are urged to keep on the lookout for the Victorian Poacher and his whippet. He may be armed with a long net, pegs and a few snares, so it is advised not to approach him while he is going about his business - but are encouraged to chat to him during the course of the show. Apart from hearing all about his methods, it might just allow the authorities to make an arrest.

 

You have been warned - the signs are he will be the Irish Game and Country Fair on 28th & 29TH August 2011 at Birr Castle, Co Offaly.

 

The Constable plans to be in attendance to make an arrest but somehow we feel the cunning Victorian Poacher might just get away with his black art one more time - or will he?