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Developing a True international Brand

Real international recognition is within reach for the Great Game Fairs of Ireland brand. Already recognised in Ireland, as the market leader for the country sports community, the Great Game Fairs of Ireland, at Shanes Castle and Birr Castle, backed by the Belfast Telegraph and the Farmers Journal, have already built an international reputation notably for the All Ireland Game Fair Championships in gundogs, clays and angling competitions.

This year the all Ireland competitions have been extended by the launch of new Novice Championships in the same sports sponsored by Barbour. And in another major step forward the Great Game Fairs of Ireland organisers are taking the fairs to an international audience through the medium of television and the internet.

Country Channel TV

This year the leading country TV network will be on site recording the great Game Fair programmes to be aired later in the year. This year, millions of people worldwide will tune in to see the Great Game Fairs of Ireland at Shanes and Birr on Country Channel TV.

Country Channel TV(www.countrychannel.tv) is the ultimate television channel for everyone an affinity for the countryside. For anyone who have been on Mars and haven't yet caught its excellent coverage, tune in to the 'voice of the countryside' for unique coverage of all things 'country.' From its launch by Davis Cameron in June 2006, the Country Channel has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the most watched specialist internet TV stations on the planet. Its unique multi-channel web broadcast service is dedicated to local communities and country-lovers worldwide. Country Channel TV is free-to-view, streaming scheduled programmes and video-on demand over the internet twenty four hours a day. Selected programming is also available during peak viewing times for eight hours per day on Sky 279 and Freesat 403.

So if you want to be 'seen on worldwide TV' enjoying the best day at any Fair, come along to Shanes or Birr. Better still come to both. Double the fun, double the competitions and double the traders and entertainment. And who know, you just might be a TV star!!

The Irish Countrysports and Country Life magazine stand at the Fair

The magazine stand at Shanes Castle this year is being organized by Northern & Southern editors, Paul Pringle and Philip Lawton, and not only have the chance to meet them but Paul has issued the following intriguing invitation – 'To the only magazine stand where you can chat, have a nip, dog train and 'get stuffed'

As Paul says "So, now we've got your undivided attention, here's what we have for you on the Irish Country Sports & Country Life stand at Shanes Castle on 27/28 June."

Our Northern and Southern Editors, Paul Pringle and Philip Lawton, will be along to 'meet and greet the readers' and many of our regular contributors will also be dropping in as well. It's a great opportunity to meet the faces behind the words, have a chat and put the country scene to rights over a glass of wine or Cooley Whiskey. And don't worry you won't end up in a magazine article.

Guns - We published a couple of features on Irish-made weaponry and Dave Stroud, an expert on old Irish gunmakers will be on the stand with some of these weapons on display.

Problem dog? No problem! Come along for some free advice from Ireland's Dog Guru, Keith Mathews. As the advertising people say - as seen on TV (and only in Irish Country Sports and Country Life) You will not have another opportunity see Keith at any Fair other than Shanes and Birr - it's an unmissable chance to chat to the dog training superstar.

Taxidermy - how do they do it? Well, here's the answer: come along and see taxidermist Ingrid Houwers in action - actually preparing and mounting some specimens. A unique demonstration for any fair and never seen before in Ireland.

Ingrid is busy with commissions for private individuals, museums, schools and more. She is perhaps best known for recreating an animal's expression and her work has won international awards in Europe.

So, if you're in search of a standard shoulder mount or a full custom project, Houwers Taxidermy has the answer. Whether its a regular commission or a championship piece, it's treated with the same respect and attention to detail. A specialist in custom jewelry Ingrid also creates unique pieces, combining silver work with natural items such as teeth and claws.

And maybe, we’ll have a surprise or two on the stand. Why not call and see.

Still the best but more in store

Fair Director Albert Titterington said : "Just as we started the Irish Countrysports and Country Life magazine and its companion web portal to be quality Irish products of an international quality, we have always wanted Ireland to have Game Fairs of truly international standing. The winning of an NITB tourism award was the first step in gaining recognition as the best event of its kind in Ireland but we have not rested on our laurels and year on year we have built the Fairs towards fulfilling our international aspirations."

"Our All Ireland All-comers' Game Fair Championships, launched with unrivalled prize money, catapulted us into the premier league of international fairs last year, and we are delighted to now be launching new All Ireland Novice Game Fair Championships in association with Barbour.

Over the Winter, we have put in new roadways to improve public and exhibitor access, encouraging more Irish exhibitors and bringing many new exhibitors to Ireland for the first time. We have concentrated in particular on extending our Gunmakers' and Fisherman's Rows. There is much work still to be done in attracting more national and international traders, and we invite other organisers to join with us in this objective rather than seek to fragment the market - not least through doubtful claims to biggest, best and most...

But while we want to improve further, we take pleasure in being the first Irish Game Fair to promote the delights of Rural Ireland and its premier Game Fairs to a truly international audience. Good for us, good for the Irish economy and of course - great for the public."

Ireland's Real Game Fairs