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The Great Game Fair Of Ireland At Birr Castle, Birr, Co Offaly, Saturday 29Th And Sunday 30Th August 15

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Birr Castle Game Fair Saturday 29thAugust, and Sunday 30th August 15.

 

Birr Castle Demense is a very impressive 1200 acre walled estate in the Magical Midlands of Ireland. The castle is the family home of Lord & Lady Rosse, and has been in the family since 1620.

 

 

With its magnificent surroundings, this beautiful piece of heaven was the perfect venue for Birr Castle Game Fair 2015, Saturday 29th August and Sunday 30thth August 15.

 

Now coming into its eight year, Birr Castle Game Fair has grown rapidly and is now recognised as the Republic of Irelands National Game Fair

 

With car loaded up the night before, Sunday morning arrived at 4.00am for us. As we crossed the border at Newry daylight was just breaking, and the smell of Mc Donalds was beckoning our hungry pallets to stop off for breakfast.

 

This we done, and very soon we were back on the road again with plenty of packing in our stomachs for the day ahead. Mrs Sat Nav was on our case, and guided us through the winding roads of the midlands, that finally lead us to our journeys end. Yes, this was Birr Castle Game Fair, and we were not disappointed.

 

We arrived in the estate at 9.30am, and at that time we were just lucky to get a parking place at the ringside. By 11am, the field was completely overflowing with cars trailers and families, and the atmosphere was electric. The weather was fantastic. Definitely the sun shone on Gods people on these two days.

 

As I walked through the Game Fair, I could not help but notice the many quality stands that were displaying and selling top quality food and clothing. Immediately some retail therapy came to mind. And I was not disappointed.

 

I met up with some regulars along the way. Emmett Mc Court stopped off to have a chat with me. This guy is one of natures gentlemen and a great cultural food ambassador and top class chef, for Ireland North and South of the border and further afield.

 

As I moved along through the Game Fair, I shook many hands of old friends and also some new to numerous to mention. Kevin Maguire and Jim Dalton were there, and always good for a chat. As was Glen Doherty and Lesley Dumigan, Steven and Lisa Dumigan, Tracy Crosby and Graham Brennan,and many many more, all true country sports people at heart and all out for a days enjoyment away from the trials and tribulations of every day life.

 

Turning the corner, coming towards me was “One man and his Dog” the Great Game Fairs of Ireland PR man, Mr Paul Pringle. These are all great people in our canine world, and all loving their day out and the banter at Birr Castle with like minded people.

 

 

I had a browse around the many stands and picked up some bargains along the way. Again this year I took some time out to visit the gun dog arena. What a display of fine working dogs. Although I did not understand all the commands they were shouting, it certainly was a good learning curve, a wealth of knowledge and a very pleasant experience. I could live in that world also.

 

Keith Matthews, the dog guru, and of course the mini Guru, his talented young son Cole and his dog Cleo ,were giving some useful tips to the large crowd in the main arena on how to train their dogs with some very useful commands. A brilliant display given from father and son. Stephen Mc Gonigle from Donegal gave a great demonstration on lamping and other useful hints when out in the field. Very interesting Stephen and well presented.

 

How time flies when you are enjoying yourself, and so many attractions to take in. All too soon it was time to be heading back towards the Canine arena, for the ferret racing. A very well run and popular event. Jed Donagh and his winning ferretts, Albert and Molly took the honors home with them. Congratulations Jed, and well done. I am so afraid of these little animals. Maybe some day I will be able to take the courage to hold one in my hands without shivering in my shoes.

 

Here are some results as given.

 

Racing Results

 

 

Master Mc Grath Qualifer Over 23 (2016)

James Kelly with Shogun

Master Mc Grath Qualifer Under 23 ( 2016 )

Billy Craig with Cuckoo

Under 21

Billy Craig with OO7

 

 

Non Elite Big

Dion Carney with Oscars Girl

Uder 23 Non Elite

Charlene Rafferty with Jip

Directors Challenge Long Dog

David Cain with Bursty

Bull Cross

Raz Cain with Tyson

Hairy Dog

Rossa Mc Daid with Trigger

 

Overall Champion of the 3 categories

 

David Cain with Bursty

 

Whippets

Ryan Wright with Bolt

 

Terriers

Willie O Meara with Peanut.

 

A Big congratulations to all the worthy winners

 

 

*Showing Results *

 

Lurchers

 

***Overall Champion Lurcher

 

Kirsty Harpur with Skyler

 

Reserve Champion Lurcher

Glen Doherty with Diesel

 

Champion Lurcher Pup

Mickey Quinn with Hoss

 

Overall Champion Terrier

Dessie Mackin with Mac

 

Reserve Champion Terrier

Shane Gilmartin with Twister

 

Champion Terrier Pup

Dessie Mackin with Haig

 

Overall Champion Whippet

Michael Quinn with Finn

 

Reserve Champion Whippet

Janet Duke with Ash

 

Overall Champion Whippet Pup

Janet Duke with Benson

Reserve Champion Pup

Tracy Gill with Ebony

 

 

 

***Overall Show Champion and Best In Show

Kirsty Harpur with Skyler

 

Reserve Show Champion

Dessie Mackin with Mac

 

 

***Overall Puppy Champion and Best in Show

Mickey Quinn with Hoss

 

Reserve Puppy Champion

Dessie Mackin with Haig

 

**A big Congratulations to all the winners.

 

*** And now the Results from the 5 Nations ***

 

 

***Overall 5 Nations Joint 1st Champion Lurcher

Stuart Reid with Damo

Kirsty Harpur with Skyler

 

Reserve 5 Nations Champion Lurcher

Peter Cummins with Harry

 

 

**Many Congratulations on your Big wins and well deserved**

 

 

***Overall 5 Nations Champion Terrier

Ray Lawson with Toffy

 

Reserve Overall 5 Nations Champion Terrier

John Hendricks with Young Sid

 

 

**Again Ray and John , Congratulations on your Big win. **

 

 

Birr Castle Game Fair was full of fun and enjoyment, but in the midst of all of this, memories from Shows gone by came floating through our minds. Carrying on through our beautiful memories, it was a glowing tribute to John and Myself when Kieran Young presented the two of us with the Colette Gannon perpetual Cup for” Country Sport Persons of the Year” 2015. What a tribute to the memory of Collette, and a total honor and shock for John and myself to be on the receiving end. Many thanks Kieran Young and Albertj Titterington for this beautiful treasure, and I can assure you it will take pride of place on the mantelpiece in our home.

 

And Finally, I must not forget our excellent judges on the day.

 

Terriers : Tom Barry/ Lurchers : Patsy Mc Coy / Whippets : John Mc Stay.

 

Family Pet Show : Margaret Mc Stay

 

Five Nations: Terriers : Janet Duke/Owen Mulcahy/ Keith Breen.

 

Five Nations :Lurchers : Rose Mc Coy/Graham Brennan/ Pat Mc Grath

 

Judging is not an easy job at any time, but you all carried out your remits with dignity, integrity, and respect. A job well done by all.

 

Deirdre Mc Coy and myself took some photographs, which are up on the sites at the moment. Our friend Harry Cooke was also there in his professional capacity recording all our moments of glory at the Great Game Fair of Ireland 2015. Many thanks for that Harry.

 

Stephen Mc Gonigle as usual gave an excellent commentary of happenings during the 5 Nations Championships and other events in the Game Fair. Very clear spoken and well informed, a very busy man on the day, and a man of many talents.

 

The Roscrea team again this year came out tops. You guys certainly have the knack of making things run smooth and efficiently. The PA system was excellent and kept everything running on time. A big thank you to Shane Lee, the man at the helm and to your team, for another great weekend of sportsmanship, enjoyment, and results.

 

 

And Finally Finally, the huge success of Birr Castle Game Fair was plain to see with a very large crowd in attendance. The Game Fair has demonstrated, that the way forward for a successful Irish Game Fair is the organisation and delivering of events with wider family appeal for those who are fervent Country Sports people, and who live, work, hunt or play in the Irish countryside.

 

None of this would be possible without the King of the Castle himself, Albertj Titterington, his wife Irene, Co Directors and their brilliant band of helpers. Albert and Irene, you are a dedicated team, working together for the better of Country Sports, enjoying the moment, and your generosity knows no bounds.

 

 

Many thanks for another great weekend of Country Sports at Birr Castle, and I look forward to meeting up with you both and your team again in 2016

 

 

Margaret Mc Stay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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