Ireland Shanes Castle Game Fair, And Country Fine Food Festival Last Week End 29Th And 30Th June 13

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Shanes Castle Co Antrim was the venue last weekend for The Great Game Fairs of Ireland and Country Fine Flavour Festival. Set in one of the most glorious , yet easy accessible regions of Ireland,this Castle is steeped in history .It sits on the north-east shores of Lough Neagh, built in 1345 by a member of the O'Neill dynasty. It was here in the vale of the 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. Whether you were an expierenced Country Sports enthusiast interested in trying something new ,or an out of town visitor eager to try your hand at something totally different, the Game Fair provided a vast array of sporting interests. This was run with and under the guidance of people who are passionate about Country Sports. What a memorable weekend we had at this ruined Castle.

Thursday morning seen the Press launch of the Game Fair, carried out by Director of the Great Game Fairs Of Ireland Mr Albertj Titterington, in the presence of the Mayor of Antrim , Co Directors, and a host of enthustiasts from the world of Country Sports.

Onwards and upwards, Saturday morning arrived on the horizon, and heralded the start of the Great Game Fair of Ireland at Shanes Castle, and the highlight of the day, the Master Mc Grath Championship , followed by a day of Dog Racing .There was a very large attendance on Saturday both in the Game Fair and the Racing, with mildly good weather. A Big Congratulations to the Master Mc Grath winner Pat Mc Grath from Carlow with Joey, and all the other racing winners.

My husband and I started the morning off, with some retail therapy. We went straight into the Game Fair, and strolled around at our leisure visiting the many stands , ice cream vans, spoke to some friends along the way , and had a peep into the beer tent. Our first stop was at the Fine Food Marquee. And over to Emmett Mc Courts stands. The smell of fine food was definitely flowing in the air here. Emmett offered us a good helping of his first class food, how tasty. It was nice to meet up with you again Emmett. We made our yearly pilgrimage to Charlie Keenans stand. Charlie always has a wee bargain, as does Out Door Experience, Portadown owner, Richard Cadell. I tried on some wellies on Richards stand, but unfortunately he was sold out of my size. We strolled on along the stands and stopped off at, Barbour, Angel Books, Indigo Ivy, Jr Tools, Courtney Pictures, Country Sports Ireland, and many more stands to many to mention. As our legs got weary , and our money all spent,we headed back down towards the car, to pack away all the many bargains we had acquired from the stands in the heart of this brilliant Game Fair. John bought enough moleskins to do him for a lifetime.

After a great days excitement on Saturday . Sunday morning arrived very quick upon us. After buying the Game Fair out on Saturday, the big occasion for us on Sunday was the dog Show. Cars,Vans and Trailers came in droves, with Canine folk with their families and dogs in tow, had the parking area filled to capacity in no time. A big Congratulations to Dessie Macken who won the Overall Show with his beautiful Terrier. Also to Brian Crothers who won Champion Lurcher and Sammy Bowers who won Champion Whippet. Well done to you all, and all the rest of the winners. The books have shown record crowds again this year on both days, and I have heard nothing but praise for this years Game Fair.

It was so nice to meet so many old faces and also to meet some new. I had a nice wee chat with Catherine Lawton, daughter of the late Philip Lawton, Co Director of the Great Game Fairs of Ireland. Although our meeting was tinged with a little sadness I felt proud, i could tell Catherine how good a person her father was . On the day, Catherine presented some trophys to very worthy winners at the show. Your dad would be very proud of you. Hope you got home safely, and please god we will meet up again in a happier time in your life.

It filled my heart with pride, and almost filled my eyes with tears, when I met Sammy Bowers and his wife Linda, with some guests with special needs from the Forest Lodge Respite Centre, Belfast. These special loving young people were presented with Rosettes by Mr Ian Greer of the NILRC .I know this was a very proud moment for Ian and the NILRC to be able to bring some joy to these wonderful young people. These special people do not ask for much, and give so much appreciation in return. They were so overwhelmed with their rosettes, and Sammy and Lindas act of kindness, for organising their day out at Shanes Castle. Well done Sammy and Linda. That few hours out for those special people mean so much to them. God Bless you both for taking time out of your busy life, and showing so much kindness to special people who live in a different world from us.

As the weekend got into full swing, The Game Fair was filled with visitors from all parts of the world. The place was crawling with families out to enjoy the fun of the fair for the day. I am sure there were some very tired little people last night. But that is what Shanes Castle Game Fair is all about. A day out for all the family, and something for everybody to enjoy young and old. I had the honour of been asked to judge the childrens handling class, and rightfully so, these little people were all winners . It filled my heart with joy to see the smile on the faces of those little people when they received their medals. Some tired little tots on Sunday night.

And finally may I take this opportunity to thank the Judges, Tracy Gill, Margaret Mc Stay, Graham Brennan, John Lip Rooney, and Tom Barry, for a job well done. Judging is not always an easy job, but you carried it out with fairness and integrity. Many thanks to the NILRC for organising and running the Racing and Showing at Shanes Castle this year. A job well done. Bluebell( Deidre Mc Coy)/ Derek Laverty/ and Billy Harpur was there with their cameras, recording every ones moment of glory.

A big thank you to the highlight of the day.Of course the Ferret Showing and Racing. I can honestly say this was the best audience participation I have seen in a long time. Also the Horse and Trap display and the Lamping display.We have four great Country Sportsmen to thank for all of this. Darren Moore, Stephen Mc Gonigle, Graham Fyffe, and Kieran Young. What a display of Sportmanship, carried out so efficiently by all four. A special thank you lads for your magnificent work, and look forward to seeing the Ferrets at shows very soon again, even though I am scared stiff of them.

 

And Finally, Finally, major investment over the last 5 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. Yes Albertj Tittering , it is you I am writing about. You are definitely the” King of the Castle,” and in a league of your own. What can I say to describe a kind ,thoughtful and generous man, that has given his life to Country sports and all the good causes that goes with it. Your life has has been enriched with the excellent work and enjoyment you give to many families across the country, young and old through your Game Fairs. At the end of the Summer season, and when the robin tweets on the window sill covered in snow, you give us all such happy memories to look back on . You are our Rock in the Country Sports world, and long may you continue.

Behind every good man is a good woman. And Irene you fit this category with gold medals. What would he do without you. Many thanks Albert , Irene, Co Directors, and your back up team for a very enjoyable weekend at Shanes Castle, full of joy and excitement, and above all a great window for Country Sports. Its an honour to be able to call you both our friends.Thanks for everything.

 

And now for Birr.

 

 

Margaret Mc Stay

 

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Edited July 4, 2013 by appleblossom

[lesleyd 24]

Beautiful wright up as always Margaret . We had two very enjoyable days. Well done Albert and co.

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Thanks Lesley

[AlbertJ 569]

Than you Margaret but the real thanks this year must go to 'our team on the ground' who kept the fair on track in pretty awful weather ( especially on the Sunday and Thursday before). They were led by Eddie Dash, who not only was there literally 'Night and Day' , organised and facilitated the carriage driving, liaised with the exhibitors, and still found time to give the Poacher a run as the new gamekeeper. Also to Johnnie McCoy who stepped in again as Arena Director and to the team of four plus Philip Lawton's daughter Catherine who made the new Countrysports in Action Arena a real success. Now the team moves on to Birr and hopefully another big success for the brand.

[appleblossom 700]

Many thanks