Attractions

With four or five Game or Country Fairs in Ireland sometimes people get confused about what is happening at which fair - including apparently some of the other organisers! Also some organisers, apparently unable to promote their own branding effectively, appear to want to 'tap into' our well established branding we thought it necessary to clarify why we organise the REAL Irish Game Fairs and why year after year our Fairs attract the largest number of competitors and the largest audiences.

Crowds at Shanes

Some Facts

FACT 1: The Great Game Fairs of Ireland - the award winning event at Shanes Castle and the now established event at Birr are organised by the most experienced organising team in the world. And the most experienced team in Ireland by far.

FACT 2: The competition prize structure at the 2007 Great Game Fairs of Ireland was the best ever seen at any Irish Game Fair and in 2008 we developed it through new All Ireland Game Fair All Comers Championships which attracted the largest number of international competitors ever. In 2009 these competitions with an unrivalled prize structure have been extended with the launch of new Barbour All Ireland Game Fair Novice Championships. We lead where others follow!

FACT 3: The Shanes Castle Fair Provides the largest single and most varied competitive Irish event for all kinds of dogs with: Ireland's largest Gundog Event including the Feedwell MUGA International Team and Individual Challenge; The Feedwell UGRC Dog & Gun team and Individual event; The IWS Club Minor breed events; The Massbrook UGL Spaniel Event plus the NIGFSS Gundog Group Show; Ireland's largest Terrier and Lurcher event - the 21st All Ireland Terrier & Lurcher Championships (now two day with racing Saturday & Show Sunday); Dog Agility Show & Displays; Police Dogs; The Horse and Hounds plus other displays and exhibits. In 2009 we are hosting the All Ireland Game Fair Championship in Retriever handing with top prize of a £2,550 watch sponsored by Lunn's. Plus many other attractive prizes.

FACT 4: The Clay Pigeon Shooting event at Shanes Castle at 2007 had the largest prize structure at any Irish Game Fair. For 2008 this was extended again and in 2009 when we host the All Ireland All Comers Game Fair Championship the top prize is a Beretta DT10 Shotgun value c £6,000 plus for the Shanes Castle Championship a Browning Cynergy Shotgun value c £2,000 plus masses of other valuable prizes.

FACT 5: The Angling section of the Fair at Shanes and the Casting competitions at Shanes Castle and Birr Castle (with Irish records being broken in 2007) have grown in stature every year and can now be viewed as one of the highlights of the Fairs and certainly superior to any other Irish Fair. Once again there are superb cash and products prizes to be won sponsored by Dunfly and other brands.

FACT 6: We have one of the most extensive and varied arena programme at any show in Ireland and unless something catastrophic happens the events we advertise will actually be there!

FACT 7: We have one of the largest areas of tented village of any show in Ireland with an extensive range of quality stands covering all the country sports and lifestyle areas. In 2009 we will have the largest Gunmakers Rows and Fisherman's Rows in Ireland and the smartest Fine Food & Crafts Pavilions.

FACT 8: We seek to not only entertain but to provide an educational facility and thus all the major sporting organisations will be there to give advice of the sports and we have the hugely entertaining and historically education medieval and eco villages.

ATTRACTIONS

SHOOTING : Clay Shooting (Shanes Castle organised by Ballydugan Clay Pigeon Club) will host a heat and the finals of the All Ireland Game Fair Championships on a new and extended layout beside the Castle. In addition there will be have a go air rifle, shooting games,archery and lazer shooting.

DOGS : Apart from the top competitions for all breeds of gundogs including hosting the Final of the All Ireland Game Fair Gundog Handling Championships there will be a gundog scurry, and main arena gundog displays including one by the Irish CLA Team captained by Willie Edgar and sponsored by Calor. The Winners of the Sunday Life Pup Idol Competition will be presented with their prizes. And for 2009 a special treat for all dog owners – main arena displays and an advice facility on the Irish Countrysports and Country Life stand from Keith Mathews the BBC's famous dog whisperer

TERRIERS & LURCHERS: The Fair will host the 21st All Ireland Terrier & Lurcher Championships with the best facilities offered to Terrier & Lurcher enthusiasts any where in Ireland including well prepared rings and a good race track. This year whippets are catered for and the show is a qualifier for the Championships at the Midland Fair. Once again prize money is the best in Ireland with £100 each for top Terrier & Lurcher and Best in Show gets a Barbour Coat worth £400. There will be terrier & lurcher displays in the main arena on both days

ANGLING : Under the capable direction of Stevie Munn this years angling events/exhibits include one of largest Fisherman's Rows ever mounted in Ireland with a fantastic range of tackle, boats and fishing holidays. Plus APGAI are having their own pavilion to give advice and instruction and demonstrate fly tying.

Stevie no mean tyer himself has been responsible for tying the 2009 Great Game Fairs of Ireland Fly.

Great Game Fairs of Ireland Fly

Glenda Powell will provide main ring demonstrations and a special coaching area where ladies and children are particularly welcome.

The Fair is also delighted to host a Gundog Group Show, A Dog Agility Show, Ferret Racing and Diaplays; Carriage driving displays, the Irish Falconry Championships, ferretting and stickmaking displays; The World Of Owls Conservation display.

The Main Arena Programme (Sponsored by Firmus Energy)

The main arena programme at Shanes Castle is always the most varied and action packed with the programme changing every half hour. It includes the very best of countrysports, medieval and other country lifestyle attractions (see the full programme on the website or in the special Belfast Telegraph supplement the week before the show.)

THE MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL
This is a real medieval festival and is not to be confused with "hyped up" copies at other events. This year the fearsome Welsh mercenaries of Drudion are joined in the main arena and medieval village by the Elizabethan household of the Best of Times and the Worst of Times, the Knights of Northern Period Productions; Medieval Falconry on horseback, and the muzzle loaders in exciting displays of firepower, swordplay, pike work, archery and jousting. The medieval village has been greatly extended to include village life through the ages, arms handling, medieval cooker, fire eating, juggling, arms making and coin making by Grunal Moneta.

Knights

EQUESTRIAN
The Fairs have always had a good equestrian flavour and this year is no exception with traditional Horse and Hound displays and carriage driving being joined by medieval falconry on horseback by Northern Period Productions at Shanes Castle and Medieval Falconry by the Prince Bishop Falconry team from the UK at Birr. Equestrian enthusiasts will also be thrilled by the fantastic 'Flaming Hooves Display,' a sort of 'Riverdance' on horseback by the Cochise Stud. These are two firsts for Northern Ireland and are sure to thrill the audience at Shanes Castle.

The Cochise Stud
Cochise Stud was established by a partnership of Elke Christoph and Derek O'Byrne-White in 2000. Their plan was to establish a stud with difference with Native American breeds like the Quarter Horse, Appaloosa, American Paint Horse and the South American Paso Fino, the first recognised breed to come from the Western Hemisphere.

Cochise Horses

Not only are the breeds different at Cochise Stud, but also the riding and training style. Both Riding and training is all Western Inspired. Cochise stud offer lessons and trekking in Western on all pure bred American breeds, along with this Cochise Stud co-ordinate and present clinic presentations on Western Inspired Natural Horsemanship from Internationally acclaimed clinician’s from Europe and US. (See WebPages www.cochisestud.com clinic schedule.)

In 2005 Trainer Derek O'Byrne-White entered the competition circuit with their Paso Finos. In 2006 won two European titles in Western Pleasure and Trail. In 2008 Derek trained Santana’s Caroline to Reserve Western Pleasure title and the she is now placed 11th in Europe Performance Paso Fino. Plans for 2010 include for the first time to bring native bred Paso finos to the Europe championship in Germany.

One of Cochise Stud future plans are to establish a series of Western Inspired training clinic by world renowned clinicians from North America and main land Europe all with a proven track record. The first of these clinics will take place at Birr Game and Country Fair 22nd and 23rd August 2009 by World renowned Clinician from the USA Franklin Levinson.

Derek has provided superb main arena displays of fantastic horses control at Birr for the last two years and hopes to bring a new superb show which he calls 'Flaming Hooves' to Shanes Castle.

The Cochise Stud will also have their Western & Equestrian Tack Shop at both Fairs and you can get up close and personal with his four horses. For further information see www.cochisestud.com

FALCONRY
As the front cover of the Irish Countrysports and Country Life magazine implies 'Birds of Prey' enthusiasts are in for a real treat at Shanes Castle. Firstly the renowned Liverpool wildlife artist, David Prescott, who painted the cover will be displaying not only a range of hawks and falcons but also a spectacular range of animal paintings www.davidprescottwildlife.com plus there are static displays of the 'real thing' by John Carmichael of the Northern Ireland School of Falconry and the World of Owls.

Plus quite uniquely, not just one of the best free flying falconry displays to be seen at any fair in Ireland but two! John Carmichael is rapidly gaining the reputation of providing one of the finest falconry displays to be seen in Ireland. He combines an unrivalled ability to communicate with his audience through audience participation with children with some of the best technical flying to be seen anywhere. John is flying birds better than at any time in his career and his display at Ballywalter was one of the best seen in Ireland for several years.

Medieval Falconry

Philop Lawton Stated: "When we wanted to create the first Medieval Falconry on horseback display to be seen at any Fair in Northern Ireland we were delighted when John agreed to help Derek Watson, of the Northern Period Production team (and no mean falconer himself) create a beautiful falconry display of Knights and ladies on horseback enjoying their sport, as part of a larger medieval and historical hunting tableau.

If you have an interest in birds of prey Shanes Castle is the place to be."

At the Birr Castle Fair on the 22nd/23rd August the Medieval Falconry theme will be continued with the first visit to Ireland by Rob Allott of the world famous Prince Bishop Falconry team www.princebishopsfalconry.com. This will enhance the whole medieval presence at this fair.

THE ECO VILLAGE
Although Fair Director Albert Titterington is best known for organising fairs, publishing, his overall involvement in countrysports and his period as an academic and marketing consultant, not many people know that Albert is a graduate biologist and someone with a lifelong interest in the conservation and preservation of the countryside. Albert has published several internationally acclaimed academic articles on such diverse green issues as green consumerism; food scares; organic food; recycling; environmental labelling; alternative energy etc.

In fact he has always espoused and promoted the concept of country sports, farming and conservation interests working in harmony for the preservation of the countryside and our planet. In fact both of the estates where the Great Game Fairs of Ireland are staged provide final living examples of how this harmonious relationship can work.

However in 2009 the two Great Game Fairs of Ireland are going even GREENER with the launch of complete sections focused on developing Ireland's most exciting green living events - ECO FAIRS & VILLAGES.

These exhibition and display areas will be dedicated tented villages sponsored by Eventus Marquues and North Down Marquees respectively, providing a "one stop shop" for all the products and services necessary to buy into a GREENER LIFESTYLE including: Sustainable Living, Home & Garden Design, Energy Saving Design, Renewable Energy, Recycling and Waste Management. It is intended that they provide not only an entertainment but educational facility.

The ECO FAIRS & VILLAGES will be supported by the implementation of greener and more environmentally friendly practices throughout the fair including energy generation, better recycling facilities for packaging and litter, green transport and encouraging greener travelling arrangements.

Miss Earth

A HUGE TENTED VILLAGE OF TRADE STANDS

The huge tented village of trade stands includes not only the largest display of guns and tackle in Northern Ireland but basically every kind of product for any member of the family to buy into the country lifestyle including Fine Food & Drinks.

Speaking of Fine Food & Drinks
This year new catering contractors have been employed to provide a wide range of food options at an affordable price ranging from burger & chips to succulent Hog Roast. In addition there will Game Cookery demonstrations provided by BASC.

As usual the Fine Food hall has a mass of succulent delicacies including honey and the bees that make it; the ladies from Mid Ireland Tourism and Shannon Development in their Georgian dress with all types of food, craft and holiday delights; the 'World's top Whiskey' Cooley will be there to give you a nip; and a vast range of cheeses; meats ; breads and other foods to tempt the most discriminating pallet. Pride of place in this pavilion must always go to Peter Gott one of the real 'Slow Food Heroes' with his Silfield Farm stand featuring his legendary Game Pies, venison sausages, and dry cured bacon although the ladies from Mid Ireland Tourism must run him a good second.

Peter Gott & The Ladies from Mid Ireland Tourism

The trade stand areas at both Birr and Shanes have also been extended with most of the old favourites in clothing , guns & tackle there. At Shanes a massive display of guns by Donal McCloy Guns Unlimited is part of a greatly extended Gunmakers Row' that will include – two displays of vintage weapons by the Edgar family and by Dave Stroud, who specialises in Irish guns, and at least three other stands displaying guns – including the ultimate Mauser Rifles with Zeiss scopes.

STOP PRESS: GUN VALUATIONS given on the Field & Stream Stand by Harry Gordon from Holts Classic Gun Auctioneers.

Jack Pike the well known clothing and accessories company will be joining the Firefly Stand and sponsoring some facets of the show. Clarkes of Enniskillen will also be there with their unique representation in Ireland of the Schoffel brand as well as their fine range of tweeds and hats.

The Fisherman's Row has also been extended with a fine selection of rods, tackle boats and holidays. This will be supported by a Fly Tying Marquee and casting tuition by Glenda Powell and the team from APGAI.

Paul Morgan from coch y bondu books with probably the best range of shooting, fishing, gundogs, hunting and terrier & lurcher books in the UK will be a magnet for all you bibliophiles while other fascinating stands can be found in the Canine Row with everything for the dog. Anew exhibitor Bridport nets all the way from Dorset every kind of net imaginable and other equipment is well worth a visit.

Some of the latest 4x4 vehicles including the new diesel Subaru Forester will be on display, as well as the stand from Ireland Off Road Experience with advice on how to drive them. There will also be exhibits of classic cars including Landrovers. Moving up from 4 wheels there will be the chance to see and perhaps drive the Argocat.

The rest of the huge tented village of trade stands has everything to buy into the country lifestyle including country crafts, while the Game Keepers Area has one of the best Game Displays seen at any Fair and of course we have the ferreting stand of Ireland’s Mr Ferret Tony Carinduff.

Most of these attractions will be replicated or even enhanced at the Irish Game & Country Fair, Birr Castle Co Offaly so why not treat you and your family to two great days out at Ireland's premier game fairs.

The Fair is supported by a number of very generous sponsors including the Belfast Telegraph, DCAL & Antrim Borough Council.

For further details call: 028 (from ROI 048) 44615416 E: irishgamefair@btinternet.com www.irishgameandcountryfair.com www.countrysportsandcountrylife.com

Ireland's Real Game Fairs