Ireland The Ballynahinch Harvest & Country Living Festival& Feedwell /irishcountry Sports & Country Living Game Fair All Ireland Champion Dog Show

[appleblossom 700]

The Ballynahinch Harvest & Country living Festival and Feedwell/Irish Country Sports & Country Life magazine All Ireland Champion of Champions Terrier, Lurcher, and Whippet Challenges

 

 

Montalto is a privately owned estate nestled in the picturesque surroundings of the Co. Down countryside. The Estate is situated on the outskirts of Ballynahinch, and has been a family home for centuries and offers 400 acres of privately owned Irish rural landscape and so much more. Convenient to Ireland's airports and famous golf courses, this special hideaway is one of Ireland's best kept secrets.

 

 

When Montalto House opened its doors to the public for the first time in 2010, it was quickly discovered this would be a quality venue to hold the last big Great Game Fair of Ireland 2014. The dream became a reality Saturday the 27th and Sunday 28th September 14 when the Ballynahinch Harvest & Country living Festival and Feedwell/Irish Country Sports & Country Life magazine All Ireland Champion of Champions Terrier, Lurcher, and Whippet Challenges took place in the stunning surroundings of the magnificent Montalto estate.

 

 

We arrived at the estate at 9.00am and at that time the car park was filling up fast. Ferrett boxes and dog trailers were everywhere. All the fun of the Fair was starting bright and early. The weather was glorious on both days and brought in crowds in thousands quite literally. The wee people were out in force with free rides on the Carasaoul for all. Some tired little boys and girls on both nights.

 

 

As the day progressed the atmosphere was electric. Before the dog Championships, we took a walk around the many stands, and sampled some fine food cooked by one of the top chefs in Ireland to day Emmett Mc Court. And what tasty eating that was. Thank you for your welcome Emmett, you are never to busy to have a chat with everyone.

 

 

Retail therapy was on my mind on the day, so we headed around to Stephen Smyths Barbour/Jack Murphy and Mc Cloy Clothing. Well that was a moment to remember. I took a fancy to a jacket on Stephens stand, and before I could draw breath, my husband John, stopped everybody in their tracks and said he had an announcement to make. In Johns dulced tones he rang out, I had a birthday coming up and he was buying and presenting me with the jacket for my birthday. Well what a surprise in front of a big audience in the shop, no doubt the tears began to roll down my face with enjoyment.

 

 

After all the excitement at our last stop, we moved on to Agent74, Tim Arnolds stand. Well what a variety of Optics, Binoculars and Scopes that man had on display. Along the way I came across our cover girl Ingrid Houers. Ingrid is not only a brilliant model, but also a first class and talented taxidermist. Ingrid had a lovely display of her work on show and generated lots of interest. Moving on, we came across some good bargains in Outdoor Experience, Richard Cadells stand from Portadown, along with Charlie Keenans and Mc Cloys.

 

There were that many stands there, we had to leave some to Sunday. Hunger was taking over so we had some beautiful steak burgers from Simon Dougans Yellow Door eaterie on site. Definately fine food at its best, and so tasty.

 

 

Time was catching up on us fast. Our time keeper was telling us to head back to the main arena for the official opening of the last Great Game Fair of 2014. In the mid morning autumn sunshine, the navy Landau, bridled with four horses drew up with the dignitaries on board. Albert J Titterington was on hand to welcome Councillor Billy Walker, Jim Shannon MP, Margaret Ritchie MP and other dignitaries. Very soon our dignitaries declared the last great Game Fair of 2014 open.

 

 

The highlight of the day for me was the Feedwell/Irish Country Sports & Country Life magazine All Ireland Champion of Champions Terrier, Lurcher, and Whippet Challenge. This is where my heart lies, and had been looking forward for this day to arrive.

Here are the results of the championships at Montalto.

Showing

 

Champion Terrier Pup

Dessie Mackins Mack, Handled by Breandan Coleman.

 

Champion Terrier

Dessie Mackins Soda handled by Breandan Coleman

Reserve Champion Terrier

John Heslip with Molly.

 

Champion Lurcher Pup

Davy Best with Daisy

 

Champion Lurcher

Mickey Quinn with Lady

Reserve Champion Lurcher

Glen Doherty with Diesel

Champion Whippet Pup

Nicky Robinson with Roxy

 

 

Champion Whippet

Tracy Gill with Ash

Reserve Champion Whippet

Graham Fyffe with Bolt

Overall Champion Pup

Nicky Robinson Roxy

*Overall Champion and Best in Show*

Dessie Mackins Soda, Handled by Breandan Coleman

Reserve Champion

Nicky Robinson with Roxy.

***Ferrets***

Ferret Showing Champion

Chontelle Mc Meekin
With Jill

Ferrett Racing Champion

Rose Mc Coy
With Conker

Reserve Racing Champions

Michael Quinn with Angela

 

A Big Congratulations to all the worthy winners. A great day was had by all the proud winners.

 

*Glen Doherty Doherty sponsored 2 lovely Ferrett boxes for the winners of the Ferrett Showing and Racing, and many thanks to Glen for that. **

 

 

Apart from the Champion dog show, over the two days, there was gun dog trials, fly fishing, archery, a brilliant group of musicans who played all the old time songs, a harpist, and no doubt Bluebell and myself had a good old jive. A fashion show and several other events to numerous to mention.

 

 

I had a go at the archery, while Deirdre Mc Coy, Brian Crothers, David Titterington and two other people had modelled labels such as Barbour/Jack Murphy and Mc Cloy Country Sports clothing on both days. Not only was the modeling excellent by these people, but the entertainment that went with it was special. Stephen Smyth of the Barbour shop was doing compare, while operations manager was carried out so professionly by Emma Cowan. Well done to all.

 

 

I was so impressed with the efficiency of the blue coats, yes the security staff at Montalto. They were at every exit, every corner, and every car park, and all through the crowds around the place. The first time ever I saw a security man up and down through the car park vetting all cars. Top marks there, so impressed.

 

 

And finally, they say all good things must come to an end, and as Sunday evening came to a close, so did a memorable and unforgettable weekend with great company on both days at the beautiful Montalto Estate.

A big thank you to the judges of the Champion dog show.
Terriers - Sam Mc Connell/ Lurchers - Tom Barry/ Whippets - Rose Mc Coy and the Ferrett judge/ Andy Gibson. Your judging was firm and fair, and a job well done.

 

 

Bluebell (Deirdre Mc Coy) was there with her camera, while Harry Cook was there videoing all our moments of glory. Cant wait to see the photographs and video. And last but not least, 3 guys who worked tirelessly on both days. Stephen Mc Gonigle on commentary and participation, and Darren Moore and Graham Fyffe on Ferrett Racing and Showing. Very professional carried out and an all around job completed.

 

 

And Finally, Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank our Great Game Fairs of Ireland Directors Albert J and Irene Titterington and Co Directors for another great year of Country Sports in 2014 through your excellent Great Game Fairs of Ireland. A special word of thanks to Kieran Young Director for Terrier/Lurcher/ and Whippets, for all your hard work this year. It was much appreciated Kieran.

 

 

Albert Titterington and Irene, you are simply the best in your field of work, your generosity and kindness knows no bounds, and I look forward to working again with in 2015.

 

 

Happy Hunting everybody, and please god we will meet up again in 2015 for more of the same.

 

Margaret Mc Stay

 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2014 by appleblossom

[Ggib 370]

Sounds like you had a good day. I always think that game fairs that involve the whole communities that they're held in are the key to keeping our support and freedom to hunt here in Northern Ireland, it would be nice for schools to make it a field trip so that the youth can sample a better way of life than the concrete jungle of the big smoke.

[ratbuster 808]

Lovely write-up, wished I could have come. Keep up the good work in educating the young !