IRISH GAME FAIR 28th & 29th June

MAIN ARENA and CONTINUOUS ATTRACTIONS

MAIN ARENA - an action packed programme of living history and country sports attractions that will appeal to the whole family plus the COUNTRYSPORTS IN ACTION ARENA where visitors can talk to the main arena demonstrators and receive personal advice AND the LIVING HISTORY ARENA based in the old castle.

The fantastic medieval jousting team - 'the Knights of the Damned' Muzzle loaders; Gundog Demos by Nick Gregory - one of the top Cocker handlers in the UK; Free Flying Falconry; Long Netting Display by the Victorian Poacher; Cochise horses; Carriage Driving & Running Horses; Fly Casting Demos: Horse and Hound Displays; the Vikings were on the school's curriculum this year and at Shanes you will see them brought to life as they sail up the bay in their longships and demonstrate their fierceness in the arena; the; dog agility; Keith Mathews - the Dog Guru; Hunting through the ages pageantry; (see Downloadable programme for timings and full details available early June).

The Knights of the Damned

Running horses from the Cleland Stud

Continuous Events (10.00 am to 6.00pm):

Go for Game Game & Fishery Cookery Demonstrations by Emmett McCourt and other chefs in the Flavour magazine Fine Food Festival Pavilion.

Emmett Mc Court arguable Ireland's finest game & fish chef

Ways of the Rabbit Catcher...
"Ways of the Rabbit Catcher" is a static display and arena acts dedicated to the age old art of rabbit catching. From the days of the Warreners to the modern day ferreter, Steven McGonigal better known as the Victorian Poacher has his band of whippets, Lurchers & ferrets along for a day's fun and to demonstrate not only the methods and techniques but the importance of the modern day ferreter and his companion, the well trained lurcher in the countryside. In the mini arena, Steven and his young lurcher will demonstrate a days rabbit catching & show how ferrets, lurchers and nets come together to create the ultimate rabbit catching team. No rabbit catcher is complete without his equipment and everything from purse nets, Longnets, ferret finders and special rabbit spades will be on display alongside more unusual equipment such as rabbit flappers and folding .410 shotguns. Why not come along and meet the dogs, handle the friendly ferrets and find out all you wanted to know about rabbit catching!

Steven will be on hand to demonstrate net making in all its forms and methods as well as snare making, snaring and trapping. This forms part of his new main arena demonstration - Rabbits, Lurchers and Longnets, and informative and entertaining demonstration into the ways of the modern rabbit catcher.

Steven McGonigal having his collar felt by the late 'Constable' Lawton now he faces the wrath of game keeper 'fast hands or club' Eddie Dash.

Alongside his display and mini arena, Steven will have his book "The Seasons End", a compilation of stories and tales of genuine working dogs. With tales of Lurchers, Terriers, Teckels, Hounds and Hog Dogs there is something for everyone, no matter what your dog's vocation! Featuring noted working dog enthusiasts from the UK such as Brian Chipper Smith who recounts a hard winter on the dales, and Penny Taylor who reveals a little more on her "Game Finder" Dill, the Airedale Terrier. We hear a tale or two on that ever growing in popularity small hound, the Teckel and a Deer stalker recounts some great tales on their finding abilities, before a US Falconer discusses her ever growing pack and how they work together on a hunting day with birds of prey. A Lurcher enthusiast himself, Steven writes on his old bitch bowing out and how her young daughter needed a little help and got it from a friend during the winter of 2011. From deepest Ireland, we hear from "Dublin Digger" and his band of hard working terriers both present and past, before crossing to Belgium and getting out and deep into the German forest with "Saskia" and "Luctor et Emergo" working terrier pack and kennel. With some fantastic colour photos of genuine hard working dogs alongside some great articles, we are sure the genuine dog man, or woman will be pleased to have "The Seasons End" on their bookshelf to while away those long summer evenings.

Living History Village situated amongst the towers and battlements of the old Shanes Castle:
Living History Displays including fire-eating, juggling,face painting; cooking, weapon making etc. see the Viking & Norman Encampment and discuss living and fighting wars in that period; experience Viking & Medieval History with Living History Ireland.

Vikings will sail up the lough in their longship bringing school history projects to life

ANGLING FOR EVERYONE at THE Northern Ireland Angling Show

The ANGLING SHOW is now part of the fair and includes an increased number of stands featuring fisheries, tackle dealers, boats, representative organisations, fly tying, casting instruction, competitions and a put and take fishery for kids. All anglers attending have the opportunity to enter a draw to win a top quality rod and a kids fishing outfit AND access to all the attractions of Ireland's largest country sports event set in the stunning traditional setting of the Shanes Castle Estate. The Angling Show will provide a unique kids experience organised by APGA Ireland where children can learn to tie a fly, to fly cast and then to take the fly and their newly acquired skill and try to catch a trout, which might even be cooked for them or them shown how to cook it by celebrity chef Emmett Mc Court.

Catch your own fish

The Angling Show is supported by DCAL and all DCAL permit holders or licence holders can have a £5 voucher for admission off the cost of an adult ticket (normally £10); a family Ticket (normally £25) or will cover a child's admission (normally £5). Collect your voucher in shop today or contact E: irishgamefair@btinternet.com or Tel : 028 44839167

Gundog Competitions: Ireland's Largest Canine Extravaganza
The Largest and most varied Dog Weekend in Ireland featuring A REAL international gundog competition with teams from England, Scotland and the ROI taking on NI teams in the Feedwell International team and individual Retriever Tests and the Red Mills Springer Spaniel Tests; Gundog Scurry; Gundog Group Dog Show; Dog Agility Show & Demos; Plus main arena demonstrations including dog training classes and problem dog clinic by Keith Mathews, BBC's Dog Guru.

Terriers & Lurchers - The Final of the Irish Countrysports and Country Life /Red Mills Master McGrath Challenge to find the faster Lurcher in the UK and Ireland plus the Feedwell 27th All Ireland Terrier & Lurcher Championships and the Final of the Five Nations Whippet Championships.

The final of last year's Master Mc Grath

Clay Pigeon Shooting: Fantastic Layout - fantastic prizes.

Equestrian: The Cochise Horses and the fantastic equestrian control exhibited by Derek O'Byrne White, the legendary US Horse Whisperer. Horse and Hounds, Carriage Driving and running horses.

Childrens Entertainment Area: Bouncey Castles, Climbing Walls etc

Tony Carinduff & his Ferrets; Game Display & Game Keepers Area; Birds of Prey Displays; EcoMantella Snakes & Spiders!

All sorts of animals

Please note: Any changes in this programme will be announced

ADMISSION PAYMENT AT GATE: Adults £10 Children £5 Family Ticket £25 (2 Adults and up to 4 children) CAR PARKING & PROGRAMME FREE

The other GREAT GAME FAIR of IRELAND the Irish Game and Country Fair takes place at Birr Castle, Co Offaly on the 23rd & 24th August 2014.