Report by Game Fair Director Albert Titterington
I had a very nice PM from a potential visitor to the Game Fair who had just purchased tickets through Eventbrite for the Irish Game Fair & Fine Food, Planned for Shanes Castle, Antrim on the 25-26 June. They claimed it was the best value family event in Ireland.
Thinking about it they are probably right as few other outdoor events have the same width of appeal to the whole family. In reality the Fair is several high-profile events staged at the one weekend in the beautiful and historic setting of Shanes Castle including:
- Ireland’s only Game Fair this year with top quality country sports competitions and displays including Game Displays & a Game Keepers Marquee.
- An award-winning Food & Craft Festival described by the Daily Telegraph as one of the best in Ireland sited within a large tented trade village with several other unique country lifestyle products.
- One of the biggest canine events of the year with terrier & lurcher showing and racing including for the prestigious titles of Five Nations Champions and Master McGrath and Mick the Miller titles; top retriever and spaniel tests and displays; KC Open Dog Show and Agility Dog Show and Demos. And a main ring demo by mounted and foot packs of hounds.
- A huge Living History Festival featuring re-enactments and a tented village of costumed re-enactors in the evocative setting of the lough side ruins of the old castle. This year has a new Viking theme and we hope to have a full size Viking longship on site.
- An enhanced Equestrian Village with the Donkey Breed Society mounting a static display of donkeys and a showing championship including arena displays of costumed handlers with their donkeys pulling all sorts of farm implements. Plus the Whip & Collar carriage elegant driving competitions and displays including possibly the debut in Ireland of a fabulous historical horse drawn vehicle. And of course the inimitable Johnny Fee with his compound featuring ‘life on the road’ and horse drawn threshing. And of course, Horse and Hounds.
- Animals galore including static and flying displays of falcons and a ferret show & racing.
- There are lots of opportunities for participation especially for children including air rifle shooting, archery, casting & fly tying instruction, gun dog scurry, handling animals of all kinds and a put and take fishery and getting practical advice on art, stickmaking, taxidermy and woodturning. There are also many children focused stands and a dedicated amusement area.
- There is ongoing action in three arenas to interest and entertain the whole family and finally NEW for this year
- A new Fly Fishing Fair to enhance the angling section of the Fair. Stevie Munn , organiser of the acclaimed international Fly Fair in Galway has brought the Antrim Fly Fair ( www.antrimflyfair.com) to the Game Fair.
AND all of this quality entertainment for JUST £10 for adults £5 Children (6-16) or Family (2 adults + up to 4 children). Parking & Programme FREE. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite with us absorbing the booking fee or pay at the gate.
