2 May 2010 from 10.00am to 6.00pm
Bank Holiday Sunday
Lord & Lady Dunleath are delighted to welcome the brand
new Irish Game Fair - the Ballywalter Game & Country Living
Fair to their Home & Estate on Sunday 2 May 2010 - for further
information & the latest details, please check on line at www.ballywaltergamefair.com
 Organised
now by the team from the Great Game Fairs of Ireland the new programme
of improved attractions and competitions are crammed into one FULL
day of action packed traditional country entertainment for the whole
family.
Double value this year as a ticket for the Ballywalter Game
& Country Living Fair will also allow the bearer to have free
admission to the Irish Game Fair at Shanes Castle on the 26 &
27 June. TWO big country day’s out for the price of ONE!
So much to see and do you really will be spoilt for choice!
Layout is improved and totally different with the magnificent
house and stable yard a vibrant and integral part of the
fair and not simply a backdrop to it. From guided tours of the house,
falconry and fly casting displays on the sweeping lawns, to rows
of gleaming vintage cars parked at the front of the Mansion House
as would have happened in the socially halcyon days of the 1920s
and 1930s between the two world wars, sets the scene for a fair
with real style, elegance and tradition.
 [Left]
Liz Edgar gets into suitably period costume with Lord Dunleath,
Jim Shannon MLA and Councillor Angus Carson in the newly refurbished
‘smoking room ‘ in the house
The old Victorian stable yard is the perfect setting to
host one of the largest displays of guns and sporting attractions
ever seen at any Game Fair in Ireland. Vintage weapons and militaria
and guns made by John Rigby the famous Irish gunmaker will be alongside
the massive display of modern sporting guns from Donal McCloy, Guns
Unlimited, and David Robinson from Firefly.
Browse the sporting art, try lazer shooting, wander round
the taxidermy display by master Belfast Victorian taxidermist John
Sheals. Bangor taxidermist Ingrid Houwers will be on hand to not
only discuss the exhibit but to demonstrate her own more modern
skills. Or why not sit back and watch game cookery displays - and
then enjoy a hog roast!
 [Right]
Ingrid Houwers discusses the taxidermy work of John Sheals with
Jim Shannon MLA and Councillor Angus Carson (holding Oscar the ferret)
In the grounds are other competitions and prizes with even
more opportunities for the public to participate.
‘Have a Go’ at archery and air rifle shooting
and the brand new sport of dummy throwing - just some of the fun
to try out. Shoot some clays or cast a line, see just how good your
dog can be in one of the tests, or join in the other events on offer.
[Left] Lord and Lady Dunleath with caterer
Alex Berry, from ‘Simply Irresistible' preview some of the
fine food and drinks that will be on offer.
Entertainment and attractions include terriers & lurchers;
gundog tests & scurry; falconry; muzzle loading; clay shooting;
air rifles; fly casting; carriage driving; archery; taxidermy; stick
making; net making PLUS a wide range of country orientated trade
stands including the large Gunmakers Row and a fantastic fine food
marquee PLUS many more new country sports and family orientated
attractions.
Canine capers
Spaniel Tests are in the morning and Retriever Tests in the afternoon,
with a ‘Head to Head’ finale between the top Spaniel
and top Retriever. An action packed gundog scurry over jumps plus
gundog demonstrations are just part of the entertainment.
A major terrier, lurcher and whippets show sponsored by Countryside
Alliance Ireland will take place in a new more suitable location
for the action packed racing. Terriers, lurchers and whippets will
also feature in exciting main arena displays.
BBC’s ‘Dog Guru’ Keith Mathews appears
in the main arena and on the ICS&CL stand. Keith will not only
show you how to train and handle winning gundogs but also how to
sort out troublesome pets.
Canine appeal of this new Fair is supported by a super
range of stands with everything the dog owner could possibly want.
Anglers will be well catered for with demonstrations and
displays of fly casting and fly tying, as well as individual coaching
on offer from a team from APGAI. A good range of tackle from both
local and UK dealers will be available for anyone who wants to add
to their tackle box.
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Soaring high
- John Carmichael from the NI School of Falconry gives Alderman
Jim Shannon MLA, some advice on high flying with an American
Red Tailed Hawk. |
Equestrian events include horses and hounds, the fantastic
Dancing Cochise Horses and carriage displays of both traditional
vehicles and the more modern vehicles with obstacle driving at speed.
 
Shopaholics wanting to buy into the country lifestyle will
have a fine display of products, a massive fine food and crafts,
demonstrations of rural crafts including wood turning with a pole
lathe, a good range of clothing from local and UK stands and all
manner of things to purchase in the enlarged tented village.
Relax with fine food, full bar facilities, children’s
amusements, while excellent parking and a beautiful site to wander
around offer the very best day out over the May Bank Holiday period.
The
Clay Shooting Range is once again in the very capable hands
of the Ballycranmore& Kircubbin Clay Pigeon Club pictured
here with some of their Members including Drew Heslip &
Mervyn Savage, together with David Robinson, Chairman of the
Northern Ireland Gun Trade Guild, Jim Shannon MLA and Game Fair
host, Lord Dunleath.
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For further details contact :
Email: irishgamefair@btinternet.com
Tel: 028 44839167 or 028 44615416
The Ballywalter Game & Country Living Fair is organised in
association with the Irish Game Fair at Shanes Castle and the Irish
Countrysports and Country Life magazine.
Northern Ireland Game Fair - Irish
Country Sports & Living Festival - Ballywalter Park
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