Ireland Tommy Cullens Dog Show And Raceday In Baltinglass, Co Wicklow Sunday 30Th March 14

[appleblossom 697]

Tommy Cullens Dog Show and Raceday Sunday 30^th March 14

 

Baltinglass is located on the River Slaney near the border with County Carlow, and is surrounded by rich archaeological and historical sites, which helps form part of the beautiful Garden of Ireland with views and scenery to die for. This was the venue for Tommy Cullens Lurcher,Terrier and Whippet Dog Show and Race day Sunday 30^th March.

 

Our day started at 5.00am, with the Big John alarm clock ringing in my ears to get out of bed, signalling the first dog show of the summer season had finally arrived. As the garage door swung open, the cob webs of winter brushed away of the dog trailer, car and dogs loaded up, it was time to be on the road to Baltinglass. Along the way, we met up with all the good Northern Canine contingent at Newry, and headed on our labour of love journey, stopping off at the Apple Service station outside Dundalk for breakfast.

 

With Mr Sat Nav guiding us to our destination. We arrived at the field in Baltinglass at 11.00am. I could not believe my eyes the scene that lay in front me. There was hardly a space for parking in the field, the size of a football pitch. It has been a while since I have seen such a large crowd of people at a dog show. By 11.30am there was no more room in the field for parking and the committe had to open the field next door to accommodate the crowd. The atmostphere was electric, and the craic and banter was in abundance. Tommy Cullen was there himself making sure everyone was looked after, and welcomed everybody there along the way.

 

There was a very large turnout of Whippets . Lurchers and Terriers in the ring. Unbeleivable for the first show of the year. It was nice to meet up with some old friends and also make some new ones. Denis Couch was there, with his winning whippets. Denis is one of natures gentlemen. So was Jed Donagh, Graham Brennan with their top class Lurchers , Stan Kelly and his son with their lovely terriers, and of course Peter Morgan and Liam Black and there many winning terriers. I love speaking to Peter, because he always makes me laugh with his humour and northern banter. The shows would not be the same without Peter. Along the way, I also chatted with Catherine Slevin and Karl Roach ( Wet Dog Smell ) All great people, and all out for a days enjoyment.

 

It was not long to the Digging competition was on its way. As it progressed shirts were fired in the air, an old ladies paradise, and gallons of water downed, before Tango blew the final whistle, and all spades and shovels hit the ground. As the measuring was completed, it was evident a clear winning team was agreed. A big congratulations to Trevor Moody and John O Toole, the winning team, and also to the rest of their gallant team mates who took part. Well done to all.

 

Names as follows.

 

James Byrne/ John Byrne
Thomas Cullen/John Mc Cabe

Beandan Coleman/Peter Conn

Trevor Moody/John O Toole - ( Winners )

Kieran Sweeney/Michael Mc Donagh

 

Showing started immediately after the digging. There was no waiting, all run very efficiently. After the showing the racing started. There must off been fifty or sixty dogs running. Again, a very large turnout for the racing. Showing Results :

 

Puppy Champion

Barry Holland with Links

 

Whippet Champion

Tracy Gill with Ash

Reserve

Janet Duke with Damson

 

Lurcher Champion

John Sheehan

Reserve

Mickey Quinn with Lady

 

Terriers

Stan Kelly with Borris

Reserve

Dessie Mackin with Tara

 

And the big prize of the day went to : Overall Show Champion

Tracy Gill with Ash.

 

Congratulations Tracy, and well done, and congratulations to all the other winners.

 

Ferrets

 

Jills – Macauley Fox

Hobs-Lorcan Martin

 

Well done to both.

 

And finally, many thanks to the judges on the day, Whippets- Dessie Mackin, Lurchers – Jim Dalton, Terriers – Matt Slevin and Ferrets – Gary Smith. Judging is not an easy Job at any time, but you carried it out without fault. Jim Dalton must of been a very tired man on Sunday night. I spoke to Jim briefly at the side of ring, in between classes about the large turnout of Lurchers. Each class had between 10 – 15 Dogs in it. But Jim did not complain. All the judges on the day, carried out their duties efficiently and effective.A great bunch of men. Bluebell, Deirdre Mc Coy was there with her camera, recording everybodys moment of glory. The shows would not be the same without you Deirdre, dodging around with your camera. Many thanks Deirdre for all the lovely photographs of the past, and look forward to see your latest set.

 

And Finally, Finally, I always leave the best to last. May I take this opportunity to thank Tommy Cullen for your hospitality, an excellent show, your brilliant band of helpers, and your friendship on the day. You made us all so welcome, and brightened up our lives, away from the trials and tribulations of life, for a day down there in Baltinglass with our faithful Canine friends. Tommy, you must have the best mother and father in this world. Billy and Noreen Cullen worked tirelessly all day, along side your brother Billy, resulting in your first show being a roaring success.

 

Many thanks again Tommy, and we look forward to more of the same next year.

 

 

Margaret Mc Stay

[lurchers ireland 367]

Thanks Margaret and thanks to all that travelled, i learned alot from the day and will make improvements for next year speeding things up to get everyone home earlier. I got great help from all that attended and they helped me cut down on any mistakes i made at my first show. Funds raised on the day will go towards draining the lower part of the show field to provide more parking and improve the track for next year and provide insurance and trophys for next years show

[bluebell 418]

Well done to all the winners and everyone who competited and thank you Tommy for giving us all a great day of Showing & Racing...

 

 

Edited April 1, 2014 by bluebell

[Fox Lad 49]

All farmers should hold dog show to raise money to drain fields instead of looking for grants

[lurchers ireland 367]

im not a farmer fox lad but thanks for your gracious comments, and again thanks to everyone that came and im looking forward to next year already

[carl fell terrier 53]

the best show i wos at. fear play tommey and all the winers.

[paulcreed78 10]

Good show and grounds.. a good turn out too , considering all the negitive comments by some who hoped to ruin the day ...but well done Tommy..

[Gjango12 19]

I would like say a big well done to Denis for winning the working whippet class with his whippet jake

[ballytomm 1]

Good show all round hope be there for next 1.

There were some nice dogs out.

[lurchers ireland 367]

Was some very competitive classes well done to everyone that brought a lurcher terrier or whippet, the judges did an excellent job

[VOON 1,317]

Maybe invest in a quad or a scrambler for the lure racing, the lad running up and down the track was shattered.

[rollerman 44]

thanks gjango12

[lurchers ireland 367]

yea that man did some job he was up and down that track 50 times, we learned alot from the first show and have plans inplace already to speed up and improve things for next year

[Gjango12 19]

I hope tommy got that man few pints after the show he looked like he'd drink a few fair play to that man

[aslan 30]

isn't it amazing how this tosser expects show organizers to support his show,but he will not support any other show