THE IRISH GAME FAIR AND FINE FOOD FESTIVAL AT SHANES CASTLE, SATURDAY 29THAND SUNDAY 30THJUNE 2019.

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THE IRISH GAME FAIR AND FINE FOOD FESTIVAL AT SHANES CASTLE, SATURDAY 29^THAND SUNDAY 30^THJUNE 2019. 

The Irish Game Fair and Fine Food Festival, held in the magnificent landscapes of Shanes Castle Saturday 29^thand Sunday 30^thJune 2019, is Irelands largest Game Fair and Country Sports event. These two days were action packed with loads of sporting events to suit the whole family.

The Castle is steeped in history and sits  on the north-east shores of Lough Neagh. This was the venue for the Irish Game Fair and Fine Food Festival June 2019. 

It was here in the fine summer weather, 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 the Country sports events happening on the day.

The Game Fair provided a vast array of sporting interests, from Clay pigeon Shooting, Falconery, Gun Dogs, Angling, Fishing for the little people, Donkey Sancutary, Ferret showing and Racing, Amusements for the children, and many more sporting attractions to numerous to mention.   

 As usual the Canine world was well catered for, with a full programme of showing, racing, and the now famous 5 Nations Championships.  .

With some retail therapy in mind, we strolled around at our leisure visiting the many stands and spoke to old friends along the way.  We stopped off at Anthony Butlers leather stand from Co Mayo. What a friendly man. On to the Barbour stand and an ever welcoming Steven Smyth. This man always cheers me up to no end and has some really good bargains on his stand. 

 As our legs got weary, and our money all spent, we headed back to the Showing and Racing arena. The excitement was building up in the air as the time for the highlight of the year, the Master Mc Grath and Mick the Millar was fast approaching.  

Some excitement when  Josh O Connors dog Bear pipped the post first, followed by Michael Mc Graths  Tucker taking Reserve. It was so worth the journey to see the look of joy on these two young sporting peoples face. This was quickly followed with Mick the Millar, and Ned Kanes dog flew past the winning post, followed by Michael Mc Graths Stella. Great sporting people.

 After a great days excitement at the Racing on Saturday, Sunday was a new day for Ferret, Dog Showing and 5 Nations. 

Of course the Ferret Showing and Racing is the highlight of the show for me. I can honestly say these little animals brought out the best audience participation I have seen in a long time at Shanes Castle. Graham Fyffe, and Darren Moore, provided young and old with an excellent display of Sportsmanship, along with Alan Crosbie judging, and Stephen Mc Gonigle doing the commentary.  Even inwardly I am scared stiff of these little animals, I must say I loved this part of the Game fair dearly. 

Here are the Overall Showing Results.  

Racing

Master Mc Grath Racing Champion

Josh O Connor with Bear

Reserve

Michael Mc Grath with Tucker

Mick The Millar

Ned Kane with Snowy

Reserve

Michael Mc Grath with Stella

Showing Results

Puppy Champion

Maurice  Mc  Dowell with Outlaw

Champion Whippet

Janet Duke with Luca

Reserve Champion

Davy Best with Merlin

Champion Lurcher

Jed Donagh with Jake

Reserve Champion

Lisa Beggs with Cirez

Champion Terrier

Darren Crawford with Joe

Reserve Champion 

Eamo Mc Erlain with Spooky

Overall  Best in Show and  Show Champion

Darren Crawford with Joe

Five Nations Champions

Whippets

Dermot Lawless with Blue

Reserve

Tracy Gill with Luca

Lurchers

Maurice Mc Dowell with Poacher ( Handled by Malachy Mc  Fall )

Reserve

Neil Pinkerton with Ben

Terriers

Drita Manson with Frankie

Reserve 

Paul Mc Keown with POPs

Congratulations to all above winners

Ferret Results

Polecat Hob or Jill

1. Raymond Brown with Athenia

2. Marty McGreevy with Nipper

3. Davy Downey with Sheila 

Albino Hob or Jill

1. Ian Fitzgerald with Snowy

2. Ray Brown with Sasha

3. John Wray with Sid

Any Other Colour Hob or Jill 

1. Gemma Wray with Reggie

2. Davy Downey with Stifflers Mum

3. Yvonne Duffy with Bear

Best in Show : 

Raymond Brown with Athenia

Reserve Best in Show : 

Ian Fitzgerald with Snowy

Racing Results

1st Davy Downey with Stifflers Mum

2nd John Wray with Belle

And Finally, All too soon the Game Fair came to a close on Sunday evening.  With the good weather, the books have shown record crowds again this year on both days at Shanes Castle. 

This Game Fair was run with and under the guidance of people who are passionate about Country Sports. 

Albert and Irene  Titterington, and their co directors  bring a creative marketing flair, vast event organisation, a wealth of expierence, and a lifetime commitment to the promotion and enjoyment of all Country Sports. Of this we are truly thankful.

May I take this opportunity to thank the judges on the day :

Whippets : Sammy Shaw

Lurchers    : John Shaw

Terriers      : Jamesie Toal

Five Nations Judges

Whippets    : Mickey Quinn

Lurchers         : Kieran Young

Terriers           : Terry Crossen

A job well done by all judges.

And Finally Finally, many thanks to Tom Barry Director of Lurcher, Terrier and Whippet, Racing and Showing , his wife Leanne Barry,  Ethan, and their team of helpers, for organising and running the Racing and Showing at Shanes Castle so effective and efficiently again this year.  

Major investment over the last number of years by the Great Game Fairs of Ireland team has seen its Game Fairs develop to a stage where they are unchallenged in the domination of their sector within the Irish Market place where 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 Albertj Tittering his wife Irene and their Co directors.   Albert you are definitely ” King of the Castle,” and you and your good wife Irene are in a league of your own. Our lifes have been enriched with the excellent work and enjoyment you give to many families across the country, through your Game Fairs, and of that we are truly thankful.

 Albert and Irene you are a shining example in the Country Sports world. Thank you for a weekend full of joy and excitement, and above all a great window for Country Sports. 

Roll on 2020.

 

 Margaret Mc Stay