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Borris House was the unique venue for the National Country Fair Dog Show last Sunday the 5th of August 2012. Borris House in County Carlow is foremost a home, lived in by the MacMorrough Kavanaghs, for the past 550 years. Both the house, family and estate are steeped in history. Originally Borris House was an important Castle guarding the River Barrow. But in 1731 Borris House was rebuilt and altered by the architectural dynastic family, The Morrisons, chiefly Richard and William. This was the beautiful surroundings for the National Country Fair, Dog show and Racing at Borris last Sunday.
It was an early rise for us, with the alarm going off at 4.30am. Dragging myself out of bed, to the sound of the dawn chorus, we loaded up the car and headed for Carlow. We met up with some friends at Mc Donalds in Newry and continued on up the road to the Apple Service Staion near Dublin, where we all got our breakfasts, which filled us up for the day. Guess who just walked in while we were having our breakfast. None other than YoungMan Liam Toner, still with one arm in plaster and as usual bouncing with energy.
The weather was not too kind to Carlow. I was told the rain bucketed down on Saturday all day, and left the ground in bad condition. We arrived in Carlow 4 hours later, and immediately headed up to the Game Fair for a look around. There were quite a few stall holders on site. We visited Charlie Keenan,who as usual was having plenty of customers. We also headed over to Richard Caddell of "Outdoor Experience" from our own home town,Portadown. Richard was telling me he had sold out of wellingtons and outdoor boots. The rain and the ground played into Richards hands and was one happy man with his sales. Martin Ryan of "Barking Waterproof Dog beds" was not complaining either with plenty of custom. Linsay Carlisle was there too with a great variety of walking sticks and all of superb quality. John, my husband has requested Linsay to create a walking stick with a Whippet Head. It is being looked at, and may be on the stall for 2013 Game Fairs. Linsay is a very interesting man to speak to. There were plenty of Food Tents and Ice Cream Vans on site, so nobody went hungary. We met up with some old friends and also made some new ones. Matt and Catherine Slevin made their way up from Wexford with their Hounds in tow. Mark ONeill was there and went home with a big prize under his belt for his Champion Lurcher. Congratulations Mark and well done. Gregg Murphy was there also,all the way from Donegal, as was Terry Moore,Joe Boggs, Barry Holland and his talented daughter Nyklia, all from Strabane, Co Tyrone. Great to meet up with you all again.
The Dog Show commenced at approximately 12.30 noon, with the racing coming first, and the showing immediately afterwards. The weather did not dampen the spirits of the show goers. The racing was well supported ,with maxium entries and all quality dogs. There were over 100 Lurcher, enterd in the show ring. Whippets, Terriers, and Strong Dog classes were considerably smaller,than Lurchers, but all in all a very successful Dog show. I was doing ring stewart, with the result, I did not get taking any results. But Ian Davidson is going to send them on to me, and I will put them up as soon as I get them.
Finally, despite the bad weather, the judges carried out their duties well on the day. Many thanks to Graham Brennan,Kevin Maguire, John Mc Stay, and Timmy Halpin, a job well done. Poor Graham, you must of had a sore back yesterday. Graham had to judge over 100 dogs. Well done Graham. Many thanks to the photographers Dessie Kelly and Deidre Mc Coy for a job well done. Some lovely photographs on the Hunting Life. And Finally, I always save the best to last. This National Game Fair and Dog show would not be possible without military precision and good organisation. Congratulations to the Directors, organisers,committe and helpers of the National Country Fair for a job well done. As for the 2 organisers of the Dog show, what can I say that would praise these 2 men enough. Ian Davidson and Justin Hill, you carried out your duties and organisation of the Dog show on Sunday, despite the bad weather, with quality and precision, and to a very high standard.You made the day very enjoyable for every man, women and child. This we are all truly grateful,and again many thanks for everything on the day. Please God we will meet up again next year at Borris.
It was an early rise for us, with the alarm going off at 4.30am. Dragging myself out of bed, to the sound of the dawn chorus, we loaded up the car and headed for Carlow. We met up with some friends at Mc Donalds in Newry and continued on up the road to the Apple Service Staion near Dublin, where we all got our breakfasts, which filled us up for the day. Guess who just walked in while we were having our breakfast. None other than YoungMan Liam Toner, still with one arm in plaster and as usual bouncing with energy.
The weather was not too kind to Carlow. I was told the rain bucketed down on Saturday all day, and left the ground in bad condition. We arrived in Carlow 4 hours later, and immediately headed up to the Game Fair for a look around. There were quite a few stall holders on site. We visited Charlie Keenan,who as usual was having plenty of customers. We also headed over to Richard Caddell of "Outdoor Experience" from our own home town,Portadown. Richard was telling me he had sold out of wellingtons and outdoor boots. The rain and the ground played into Richards hands and was one happy man with his sales. Martin Ryan of "Barking Waterproof Dog beds" was not complaining either with plenty of custom. Linsay Carlisle was there too with a great variety of walking sticks and all of superb quality. John, my husband has requested Linsay to create a walking stick with a Whippet Head. It is being looked at, and may be on the stall for 2013 Game Fairs. Linsay is a very interesting man to speak to. There were plenty of Food Tents and Ice Cream Vans on site, so nobody went hungary. We met up with some old friends and also made some new ones. Matt and Catherine Slevin made their way up from Wexford with their Hounds in tow. Mark ONeill was there and went home with a big prize under his belt for his Champion Lurcher. Congratulations Mark and well done. Gregg Murphy was there also,all the way from Donegal, as was Terry Moore,Joe Boggs, Barry Holland and his talented daughter Nyklia, all from Strabane, Co Tyrone. Great to meet up with you all again.
The Dog Show commenced at approximately 12.30 noon, with the racing coming first, and the showing immediately afterwards. The weather did not dampen the spirits of the show goers. The racing was well supported ,with maxium entries and all quality dogs. There were over 100 Lurcher, enterd in the show ring. Whippets, Terriers, and Strong Dog classes were considerably smaller,than Lurchers, but all in all a very successful Dog show. I was doing ring stewart, with the result, I did not get taking any results. But Ian Davidson is going to send them on to me, and I will put them up as soon as I get them.
Finally, despite the bad weather, the judges carried out their duties well on the day. Many thanks to Graham Brennan,Kevin Maguire, John Mc Stay, and Timmy Halpin, a job well done. Poor Graham, you must of had a sore back yesterday. Graham had to judge over 100 dogs. Well done Graham. Many thanks to the photographers Dessie Kelly and Deidre Mc Coy for a job well done. Some lovely photographs on the Hunting Life. And Finally, I always save the best to last. This National Game Fair and Dog show would not be possible without military precision and good organisation. Congratulations to the Directors, organisers,committe and helpers of the National Country Fair for a job well done. As for the 2 organisers of the Dog show, what can I say that would praise these 2 men enough. Ian Davidson and Justin Hill, you carried out your duties and organisation of the Dog show on Sunday, despite the bad weather, with quality and precision, and to a very high standard.You made the day very enjoyable for every man, women and child. This we are all truly grateful,and again many thanks for everything on the day. Please God we will meet up again next year at Borris.
