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Birr Castle is a large Castle in the town of Birr Co Offaly, The Castle is the seat of the Earls of Rosse, the Seventh of whom still lives in the castle to this day. There has been a Castle on this site since 1170. From the 14th to the 17th century the O'Carroll family was in residence. After the death of Sir Charles O'Carroll, Sir Laurence Parsons was granted Birr Castle and 1,277 acres of land When Parsons took over the Castle, he engaged several masons and a large work force in the construction of a new Castle . This construction took place at the gatehouse of the site. "Flankers" were added to the gatehouse diagonally at either side, giving the Castle the plan it retains today. And what a beautiful site this is. This was the venue last weekend for the annual Irish Game & Country Fair.
We had an early start on Sunday morning, with the alarm clock going off at 4.00am. After dogs walked, trailer and car loaded up, we set off with Mickey and Michael Quinn from Lurgan following the leader. We headed for the motorway and at Newry we were joined by Rab Greer and a car load of men from Newtownards, Co Down, who also followed us all the way to Birr. We arrived at Birr Castle three and a half hours later around 9.30am, and hooked up with all the rest of the good northern people who had already travelled down the day before for the racing. This was the start of a beautiful day for us at Birr Castle Game Fair. God was good to us on Sunday, with the weather being brilliant for most of the day, with the exception of a few small showers in the late evening.
We had a good walk around the game fair, had our breakfast in “Foodies “ Marquee restaurant, which was delicious and good value. We visited Charlie Keenan and Outdoor Expierence from Portadown, and on around the many marquees and food halls on site, and picked up some good bargains along the way.
I stopped off along the way and had a chat with Emmet Mc Court. Emmet was hard at his work with his beautiful, tasty food, but still made time to have a chat with me. It is nice to meet nice people. On along the way I met up with Paul Pringle and his lovely wife, who were really enjoying the show. Paul remarked to me, how friendly the people were at Birr and the lovely Fair astrosphere, and I would have to agree with him 100%. I spoke to Neil Cooney at the I.W.T.F site. Neil is such a nice person and so dedicated to the cause. Keep behind him lad and Lassies, because Neil truly has your interest at heart. There was a very large crowd in attendance at the show, so just arrived back from the Fair in time for the digging competition.
The digging competition started at 12.30 noon, and it certainly drummed up a lot of interest, and attracted a very large audience. This was one of the highlights of the day in my opinion. The audience got into action with the diggers , cheering them on, and giving them loads of encouragement all the way, while their ladies supplied them with water. As the master of cermonies, counted down the last 5 seconds, you could hear and feel the air of excitement among the crowd. What a great moment. Spades and pickaxes laid down for this year, the digging was measured and the winners were declared.
A Big Congratulations to :
Paddy Gilmore
Shane Larkin
The winning Team and well deserved winners. The entertainment was 100% and well done to both men.
Also congratulations to the other 3 teams who took part. They were:
a/ Peter Morgan
Dee Maguire
b/ Shane Gilmartin
Keith Breen
c/ Sean Fowler
Seamus Baird
You were all winners and gave 100% on the day, and well done to all. Albertj Titterington was there to congratulate the winners and all the teams that took part on the day.
I will start with some racing Results from Saturday.
Whippets
Gavin and Ryan Wright with Bolt
Terrier Crossbred Novice Race
Charlene Rafferty with Buffy
Lurchers
Under 21
Fiona Devlin with Angel
Over 23
John Humphries with Rebel
Under 23
John Humphries with China
Novice Race
Donie Troy Roscrea
Terriers
1/ Young Man ( Liam Toal )
2/ Bryan Scully with Barney
A big congratulations to John Humphries, Gavin Wright and Donie Troy and Liam Toal ( Young Man) on your big wins. All great dogs and wonderful people.
Some random results from the showing on Sunday.
Family Dog Show – Childrens handling class.
1/ Calum Mc Hugh
2/ Poppy Mc Vitty
Congratulations to the winners and to all the children that took part. Some sleepy little people last night.
Ladies handling Class
1/ Erin Hereghan
Gents Handling Class
1/ Michael Gilmartin
TerrierS
Terrier pups under 1 yr old
1/ Carol Mc Gee
Terrier under 12”
Peter Morgan
Terrier Pairs
1/ Tom Cahill
2/ Peter Morgan
Working Terrier
1/ Dennis Kelly
Jack Russell Bitch over 1yr
1/ Timmy Hennessy
Lakeland Type Dog or Bitch
1/ Declan Wallace
2/ Peter Morgan
Border Dog or Bitch over 1 yr
1/ Tom Power
Fell or Patterdale
1/ Dennis Kelly
Cross Breed Dog or Bitch
1/ Damien Kelly
Champion Terrier
Declan Wallace
Congratulations Declan , a very worthy winner
Lurchers
Lurcher Pup under 1 year
1/ Sam Hennessy
Whippet type Lurcher Dog or Bitch
1/ Fiona Devlin
Best Pair of Lurchers
1/ Graham Brennan
Any Variety Lamping Lurcher
1/ Michael Quinn
Smooth Lurcher over 23
1/ Jed Donagh
Rough Lurcher over 23
1/ April Dickinson
2/ Glenn Doherty
Rough or Smooth Lurcher under 23
1/ Steven Dummigan
2/ Charlene Rafferty
Collie Lurcher
1/ Jed Donagh
Terrier Breed Lurcher
1/ Graham Brennan
Vetern Lurcher
1/ Donnie Troy
2/ Graham Brennan
Champion Lurcher
Michael Quinn ( This also qualified Michael to go forward to the Five Nations at Birr Castle )
Reserve
Jed Donagh
A big congratulations to both men, and both worthy winners and well done .
Michaels dad Mickey Quinn is one happy fellow, and a very proud father.
Whippets
Whippet Pups Dog
1/ Tony Ennis
Whippet Pups Bitch
1/ John Mc Stay
Whippet Dog over 1yr old
1/ Mark O Neill
Whippet Bitch over 1 yr old
1/ Tony Ennis
Working Whippet Dog
1/ Nigel Bradish
Working Whippet Bitch
1/ Tom Quinn
Champion Whippet
Mark O Neill
A big congratulation to Mark, and a very worthy winner.
Overall Show Champion Birr Castle 2012
Declan Wallace
Reserve
Mark O Neill
A big congratulations to both men and their winning dogs and well done.
· And now on to the Five Nations, The Big One of the day.
Here are the 7 qualifers at Birr Castle
Graham Brennan with Gypsy
Fiona Devlin with Maverick
Steven Dummigan with Dash
Michael Quinn with Paddy
Kieran Lynch with Storm
Michael Hicks with Mo Chara
Eimear O Meara with Heidi
And the Winner was none other than our own :
Fiona Devlin with Maverick, from Dungannon in Northern Ireland. Fiona ,we are so proud of you. A very worthy winner. It is great to see us females taking our place among the greats in the Canine world. Congratulations Fiona and Maverick, and well done. I am sure a bottle of vino was opened in the Devlin household last night.
Reserve went to :
Graham Brennan with Gypsy from Dublin. A big congratulations Graham. Gypsy owes you nothing. She has done you so proud on so many occasions both North and South of the border. A well deserved winner, and well done Graham and Gypsy. I would say the wine was opened in your house last night also Graham.
PS. Congratulations to yourself Graham and Ann on the occasion of your engagement, and may you have many happy years together. “As Robbie Williams song says “shes the one”
And congratulations to all the qualifers.
And Finally, I would like to congratulate the brilliant judges on the day for a job well done. Neil Cooney, Paul Reynolds and Seamus Cairns, The Judges in the 5 Nations Kieran Young, Pat Lee and Steven Mc Gonigle, you all done a first class job, and carried out your duties with fairness and perfection. To the Roscrea Team, a very efficent crew of people who carried out their duties at the show with sheer grit and determination, and in a very professional manner. A job well done, A special word of thanks to David on the Roscrea team, who kept me updated with all the results. Thanks David, you are a star. Bluebell (Deidre Mc Coy) and Billy Harpur were there clicking away with their cameras, and capturing our moments of glory. Hopefully we will see them up shortly and many thanks for that.
And Finally, finally, I always leave the best to last. This accolade goes out to Albertj Titterington and his lovely wife Irene, and their Co Directors for a great weekend in Birr. Albertj without you and your brilliant team of helpers this would not be possible. So many of our Canine folk look forward to your 3 Great Game Fairs of the year, Ballywalter, Shanes Castle, and Birr Castle, and now through the dark cold days and nights of winter and when the snow hits the window, we will gather round the fire, and reminnis about our moments of glory at your Game Fairs, and all the other Dog shows and organisers up and down the country who also gave us so much joy and entertainment during the year. Albert, May you and Irene have good health and happiness for many years to come and continue to run your top Game Fairs also for many years to come. Albert you do so much for Country sports, and work so hard behind the scenes to make things happen. Of this we are truly grateful. Thanks for all the lovely memories of this year, and look forward to seeing you again in 2013 God willing.
Margaret Mc Stay
We had an early start on Sunday morning, with the alarm clock going off at 4.00am. After dogs walked, trailer and car loaded up, we set off with Mickey and Michael Quinn from Lurgan following the leader. We headed for the motorway and at Newry we were joined by Rab Greer and a car load of men from Newtownards, Co Down, who also followed us all the way to Birr. We arrived at Birr Castle three and a half hours later around 9.30am, and hooked up with all the rest of the good northern people who had already travelled down the day before for the racing. This was the start of a beautiful day for us at Birr Castle Game Fair. God was good to us on Sunday, with the weather being brilliant for most of the day, with the exception of a few small showers in the late evening.
We had a good walk around the game fair, had our breakfast in “Foodies “ Marquee restaurant, which was delicious and good value. We visited Charlie Keenan and Outdoor Expierence from Portadown, and on around the many marquees and food halls on site, and picked up some good bargains along the way.
I stopped off along the way and had a chat with Emmet Mc Court. Emmet was hard at his work with his beautiful, tasty food, but still made time to have a chat with me. It is nice to meet nice people. On along the way I met up with Paul Pringle and his lovely wife, who were really enjoying the show. Paul remarked to me, how friendly the people were at Birr and the lovely Fair astrosphere, and I would have to agree with him 100%. I spoke to Neil Cooney at the I.W.T.F site. Neil is such a nice person and so dedicated to the cause. Keep behind him lad and Lassies, because Neil truly has your interest at heart. There was a very large crowd in attendance at the show, so just arrived back from the Fair in time for the digging competition.
The digging competition started at 12.30 noon, and it certainly drummed up a lot of interest, and attracted a very large audience. This was one of the highlights of the day in my opinion. The audience got into action with the diggers , cheering them on, and giving them loads of encouragement all the way, while their ladies supplied them with water. As the master of cermonies, counted down the last 5 seconds, you could hear and feel the air of excitement among the crowd. What a great moment. Spades and pickaxes laid down for this year, the digging was measured and the winners were declared.
A Big Congratulations to :
Paddy Gilmore
Shane Larkin
The winning Team and well deserved winners. The entertainment was 100% and well done to both men.
Also congratulations to the other 3 teams who took part. They were:
a/ Peter Morgan
Dee Maguire
b/ Shane Gilmartin
Keith Breen
c/ Sean Fowler
Seamus Baird
You were all winners and gave 100% on the day, and well done to all. Albertj Titterington was there to congratulate the winners and all the teams that took part on the day.
I will start with some racing Results from Saturday.
Whippets
Gavin and Ryan Wright with Bolt
Terrier Crossbred Novice Race
Charlene Rafferty with Buffy
Lurchers
Under 21
Fiona Devlin with Angel
Over 23
John Humphries with Rebel
Under 23
John Humphries with China
Novice Race
Donie Troy Roscrea
Terriers
1/ Young Man ( Liam Toal )
2/ Bryan Scully with Barney
A big congratulations to John Humphries, Gavin Wright and Donie Troy and Liam Toal ( Young Man) on your big wins. All great dogs and wonderful people.
Some random results from the showing on Sunday.
Family Dog Show – Childrens handling class.
1/ Calum Mc Hugh
2/ Poppy Mc Vitty
Congratulations to the winners and to all the children that took part. Some sleepy little people last night.
Ladies handling Class
1/ Erin Hereghan
Gents Handling Class
1/ Michael Gilmartin
TerrierS
Terrier pups under 1 yr old
1/ Carol Mc Gee
Terrier under 12”
Peter Morgan
Terrier Pairs
1/ Tom Cahill
2/ Peter Morgan
Working Terrier
1/ Dennis Kelly
Jack Russell Bitch over 1yr
1/ Timmy Hennessy
Lakeland Type Dog or Bitch
1/ Declan Wallace
2/ Peter Morgan
Border Dog or Bitch over 1 yr
1/ Tom Power
Fell or Patterdale
1/ Dennis Kelly
Cross Breed Dog or Bitch
1/ Damien Kelly
Champion Terrier
Declan Wallace
Congratulations Declan , a very worthy winner
Lurchers
Lurcher Pup under 1 year
1/ Sam Hennessy
Whippet type Lurcher Dog or Bitch
1/ Fiona Devlin
Best Pair of Lurchers
1/ Graham Brennan
Any Variety Lamping Lurcher
1/ Michael Quinn
Smooth Lurcher over 23
1/ Jed Donagh
Rough Lurcher over 23
1/ April Dickinson
2/ Glenn Doherty
Rough or Smooth Lurcher under 23
1/ Steven Dummigan
2/ Charlene Rafferty
Collie Lurcher
1/ Jed Donagh
Terrier Breed Lurcher
1/ Graham Brennan
Vetern Lurcher
1/ Donnie Troy
2/ Graham Brennan
Champion Lurcher
Michael Quinn ( This also qualified Michael to go forward to the Five Nations at Birr Castle )
Reserve
Jed Donagh
A big congratulations to both men, and both worthy winners and well done .
Michaels dad Mickey Quinn is one happy fellow, and a very proud father.
Whippets
Whippet Pups Dog
1/ Tony Ennis
Whippet Pups Bitch
1/ John Mc Stay
Whippet Dog over 1yr old
1/ Mark O Neill
Whippet Bitch over 1 yr old
1/ Tony Ennis
Working Whippet Dog
1/ Nigel Bradish
Working Whippet Bitch
1/ Tom Quinn
Champion Whippet
Mark O Neill
A big congratulation to Mark, and a very worthy winner.
Overall Show Champion Birr Castle 2012
Declan Wallace
Reserve
Mark O Neill
A big congratulations to both men and their winning dogs and well done.
· And now on to the Five Nations, The Big One of the day.
Here are the 7 qualifers at Birr Castle
Graham Brennan with Gypsy
Fiona Devlin with Maverick
Steven Dummigan with Dash
Michael Quinn with Paddy
Kieran Lynch with Storm
Michael Hicks with Mo Chara
Eimear O Meara with Heidi
And the Winner was none other than our own :
Fiona Devlin with Maverick, from Dungannon in Northern Ireland. Fiona ,we are so proud of you. A very worthy winner. It is great to see us females taking our place among the greats in the Canine world. Congratulations Fiona and Maverick, and well done. I am sure a bottle of vino was opened in the Devlin household last night.
Reserve went to :
Graham Brennan with Gypsy from Dublin. A big congratulations Graham. Gypsy owes you nothing. She has done you so proud on so many occasions both North and South of the border. A well deserved winner, and well done Graham and Gypsy. I would say the wine was opened in your house last night also Graham.
PS. Congratulations to yourself Graham and Ann on the occasion of your engagement, and may you have many happy years together. “As Robbie Williams song says “shes the one”
And congratulations to all the qualifers.
And Finally, I would like to congratulate the brilliant judges on the day for a job well done. Neil Cooney, Paul Reynolds and Seamus Cairns, The Judges in the 5 Nations Kieran Young, Pat Lee and Steven Mc Gonigle, you all done a first class job, and carried out your duties with fairness and perfection. To the Roscrea Team, a very efficent crew of people who carried out their duties at the show with sheer grit and determination, and in a very professional manner. A job well done, A special word of thanks to David on the Roscrea team, who kept me updated with all the results. Thanks David, you are a star. Bluebell (Deidre Mc Coy) and Billy Harpur were there clicking away with their cameras, and capturing our moments of glory. Hopefully we will see them up shortly and many thanks for that.
And Finally, finally, I always leave the best to last. This accolade goes out to Albertj Titterington and his lovely wife Irene, and their Co Directors for a great weekend in Birr. Albertj without you and your brilliant team of helpers this would not be possible. So many of our Canine folk look forward to your 3 Great Game Fairs of the year, Ballywalter, Shanes Castle, and Birr Castle, and now through the dark cold days and nights of winter and when the snow hits the window, we will gather round the fire, and reminnis about our moments of glory at your Game Fairs, and all the other Dog shows and organisers up and down the country who also gave us so much joy and entertainment during the year. Albert, May you and Irene have good health and happiness for many years to come and continue to run your top Game Fairs also for many years to come. Albert you do so much for Country sports, and work so hard behind the scenes to make things happen. Of this we are truly grateful. Thanks for all the lovely memories of this year, and look forward to seeing you again in 2013 God willing.
Margaret Mc Stay
