Golden Game Fair at Shanes Castle

Albert Titterington and a group of enthusiasts staged the first ever sustainable Game Fair in Ireland 34 years ago and now Shanes Castle’s Irish Game Fair and Country Lifestyle Festival on 7th and 8th July marks their 50th

Looking back on the record breaking history of the Fairs, Albert said 2012’s event would be the best so far.

“Our Game Fairs showcase country pastimes, conservation and a rural way of life” Albert said. “Every year we introduce new attractions, competitions and themes and this year is no exception being the ‘Year of the Salmon and Trout’. And this fishy theme is the focal point for the huge Angling Village which everyone would expect at a top class angling show and more!”

Young anglers will find games and fly dressing competitions plus sampler casting classes and casting competition based around skill as opposed to distance with two levels ‘professional’ and amateur with good prizes of kit and equipment.

Other traditional country pastimes such as shooting, hunting and working gundogs take pride of place too, with bigger and better competitions and displays and even more to see and do for everyone.

Albert said: “The Fair has always sought to educate and entertain the whole family and at Shanes, the sporting organisations have a focus on youth, living history areas emphasise the development of our history and culture, while conservation areas stress the importance of looking after our countryside.”

Birr hosts the All Ireland Game Fair Championships in clay shooting, flycasting and gundog handling - this year Shanes hosts the Barbour Novice Championship Finals and the heats for the All-comers Championships at Birr.

There are the largest canine events in Ireland with top prize funds, and Shanes hosts the 25th anniversary of the All Ireland Terrier and Lurcher Championships, the Master McGrath Challenge and the new Novice Lurcher Challenge. Racing will take place on Saturday 7th July with the show taking place on the Sunday. To see further details of the terrier, whippet and lurcher events see www.irishgamefair.com.

The ‘Golden Anniversary’ Fair will take place at Shanes Castle on the 7th and 8th of July, and the Irish Game & Country Fair will take place at Birr Castle on the 25th and 26th August 2012.