Ireland Tommy Cullens Dog Show And Raceday In Baltinglass,co Wicklow Sunday 29Th March 15

[appleblossom 697]

Tommy Cullens Dog Show at Baltinglass, Co Wicklow Sunday 29^th March 15

 

Baltinglass is a town in south-west County Wicklow and is located on the River Slaney near the border with County Carlow and County Kildare. This midlands town is historically rich in its heritage, making a significant contribution to the towns character and surrounding areas. Many people may not know, as well as been famous for its annual Dog Shows, Baltinglass was also the location for the 1974 movie of Brian Friels play “Philadelphia here I come” starring Donal McCann and Siobhan McKenna, really putting this picturesque town on the map. This was the venue and location for Tommy Cullens 2^nd annual Dog Show and Raceday, Sunday 29^th March 15.

 

The strawberry alarm clock rang out loud and clear at 5.00am, heralding Baltinglass was calling us. Very soon the dawn chorus from the dog pens was chiming in our ears, trailer hitched to the car, flasks and sandwiches packed into the boot, and we were on our way down the motorway to Co Wicklow. After meeting up with Jed Donagh outside Dublin (who I think is the new Stig), O boy did he lead us all the way. After a speedy jaunt, we arrived at our destination at approximately10.00am.

 

As we approached the venue, as was last year, we could see the field was packed to capacity. Even though the weather was horrendous, there was a big turnout. Year on year this show is growing in popularity, and is now fast becoming one of the top dog shows in Ireland. It was nice to see Tommy Cullen again this year at the gate, greeting everybody coming into the show. Stands were dotted around the field, selling everything to do with dog shows and Country Sports, burgers and Ice Cream. Some good bargains were to be had on the day, and no doubt we came away with a few lovely leads and collars.

 

All the usual show goers of yesteryear were there and also a few new trainees. I met up with Paul Mc Parland from Armagh, Graham Brennan from Dublin, David Nolan and John Sheen from Carlow, Jim Dalton and Niall Healy from Cork, and some new friends like Joe Kennedy and Eoin Barnes, and several others from all parts of the country too numerous to mention. All lovely people and all out for a great days enjoyment with their Canine friends.

 

Very soon after our arrival, the show got under way with the digging competition. The buss of excitement reached boiling point around the digging site. Dusting away the winter cobwebs, and bringing in the summer salsa, with shovels and picks at the ready, the whistle blew. The digging competition commenced. In a matter of minutes our exceptional sportsmen were making the earth literally move beneath our feet. Time passed quickly, with every muscle of the human body used to its max, the whistle blew for 2^nd time signalling digging time was over. Congratulations to all of the teams who took part, but especially to the winning team:

 

Winning Team : Danny Kavanagh and Matthew Walsh

Runner ups : Trevor Moody and Jack O Toole

 

A big Congratulations to both teams and well Done.

 

No time was wasted, and as soon as the Digging competition was over the showing commenced. It was nice to see all our wee people in the childrens handling class, showing off all their faithful Canine breeds. These little people are our Country Sportsmen and women, and show organisers of to morrow. Some proud mothers and fathers watching their little boys and girls walk round the ring on Sunday. I am sure there were some sleepy heads on Sunday night.

 

Childrens Handling Class went to:

Sophie Mc Nama with Xena

 

Congratulations Sophie, and also all the other boys and girls that took part.

 

Moving onwards, it was adult time to show off their handling skills in the ring. What a large turnout of Whippets/Lurchers/Terriers.

Here are Showing and Racing Results.

 

Showing Results

 

Lurcher Ring 1.

 

1. Smooth dog over 23…. Gary Smith…. Bono

2. Smooth bitch over 23 ….Mickey Quinn…. Lady

3. Bull cross dog… Houlihan…. Nelson

4. Bull cross bitch…Frank O Driscoll… Milly

5. Collie cross dog… Paul Doody…. Buddy

6. Collie cross bitch….Laurence Murphy…Bonnie

7. Hare dogs…Miley Connors

 

Lurcher Ring 2.

 

1. Pups …Sam Canning…Blue

2. Rough Coated dogs over 23..Eoin Barnes..Billy Boy

3. Rough Coated bitchs over 23…Donal Davidson…Bella

4. Rough/Smooth dogs under 23..Billy Craig…Cuckoo

5. Rough/Smooth bitchs under 23.. Mark Dupall…Booty

6. Pairs….. Anthony Murphy

 

 

Lurcher Champion…

Eoin Barnes with Billy Boy

Reserve :

Donal Davidson Bella

3^rd

Mark Dupall with Booty

 

Whippet Ring

 

1. Whippet Pups …Stephen Clarke… Cork

2. Whippet dog….Michael Quinn… Finn

3. Whippet bitch…John McStay…Patch

4. Working Whippet dog…Michael Quinn..Tara

5. Working Whippet bitch…Amanda Delany …Junior

6. Pairs…. Christine Maguire… Boss Maverick

7. Veteran… John McStay… Silver

Champion Whippet

Michael Quinn…Finn

Reserve

Michael Quinn with Tara

 

 

Terriers

 

1. Pups under a year..Stephen Mc Gregor

2. Smooth coated Russell type dog…Michael Griffen

3. Smooth coated Russell type bitch…Trevor Moody

4. Rough coated Russell type dog…Michael Griffen

5. Rough coated Russell type bitch…Joe Kennedy

6. Patterdale dog…John Carroll

7. Patterdale bitch…James Byrne

8. Lakeland fell dog..Declan Owens

9. Lakeland fell bitch…Sean Hayes

10. Border dog… Pat Murphy

11. Border bitch…Jade Dunphy

12. Any Breed/Cross…Graham Brennan

13. Pairs …Michael Berry

14. Veteran…Graham Brennan

Champion Terrier

Declan Owens

 

**Champion Whippet went to :

Michael Quinn from Lurgan in County Armagh with his Whippet Finn (Qualified for Shanes Castle)

 

**Champion Lurcher went to :

Eoin Barnes from Dublin with his Lurcher Billy Boy ( Qualified for Birr Castle )

 

**Champion Terrier went to:

Declan Owens from Newry in County Down with his Terrier Mossco(Qualified for Birr Castle )

 

**Overall Best in Show and Show Champion went to : **

Eoin Barnes with his beautiful Lurcher Billy Boy

A Big Congratulations to all the worthy Champions above, and to all the rest of the winners on the day.

 

 

***Racing Results.

 

Whippets

1^st Mark Murphy …Blue

2^nd Peter Cummins… Flash

3^rd Christina Maguire …Boss Maverick

 

Lurchers Elite…Under 23

 

1^st Sean Coogan...Bellex

2^nd Stephen McGrath… Nancy

 

Bull Cross

 

1^st Jed McDonagh… Shadow

2^nd Shane Duffy… Belle

3^rd Dylan O Shea… Chance

 

Lurchers under 23

 

1^st. Shakes Wall… Mikey

 

Lurchers Under 21

 

1^st Michelle Rafferty… Fly

2^nd Peter Cummins… Jess

 

Rough Coated lurchers

1^st Karen Cummins

2^nd Jed Donagh

3^rd Ronan McKenna

 

Lurchers over 23

 

1^st Gary Smith

 

Lurcher over 23 elite

 

1st Gary Smith… Bono

2^nd Michael Quinn… Mo Chara

3^rd Paddy McGrath… Chad

A Big Congratulations to all the Racing winners

 

Racing and Showing Results, Courtesy of Tommy Cullen

 

Ferret show… ?? who won

Jills

Hobs

 

Finally, many thanks to the brilliant Judges on the day.

Whippets/ Tracy and Alan Crosby. Lurchers/ Jim Dalton and Niall Healey/ Terriers /Breandan Coleman.

Your judging skills was honest, efficient and impeccable . Your duties on the day were carried out to perfection with such large classes of Lurchers, Whippets and Terriers on the day.

 

Bluebell ( Deirdre Mc Coy) along with myself and Tommy Cullen, I think we all managed between the three of us to cover every moment of the day. Deirdre the shows would not be the same without you knocking about with that Camera. Look forward Deirdre to seeing your photographs up shortly.

 

And Finally, Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank Tommy Cullen for another brilliant show this year. It was evident Tommy had put a lot of hard work in behind the scenes to make this day most enjoyable for everyone. You were so welcoming Tommy, and made us all feel at ease in your native Co Wicklow.

 

One man could not do all of this on his own. Behind every good man on the day, and in this case were three good women, Fiona Nolan/Katie Doran, and Anna Marie Farrell. These three ladies worked tirelessly to keep things running smoothly along with Tommys back up team.

 

In my opinion, the most important man on the day was Billy Cullen (Tommys father) who was on the PA system, and who co-ordinated all activities during the show, like a centre of excellence. Billy you were a real gem, and a perfect gentleman.

 

As darkness approached it was time to say good bye Baltinglass, and be on the road again back to Co Armagh and the place we call home. Many thanks Tommy for the memories, and God willing, we will all be back next year for more of the same.

 

Margaret Mc Stay

 

 

 

 

Edited April 1, 2015 by appleblossom

[lurchers ireland 367]

_{Great write up Margaret, I look forward to reading many more of them over the summer, thanks again to all the people that travelled in the terrible conditions, really genuine people that made sure we had an even bigger turnout than last year and a great atmosphere again}

[Miesque 20]

Despite the weather it was a great day, delighted to see Billy who my dog came second to in the Over 23 rough Lurchers take the championship - he was a lovely dog!