|
|
 |
Attractions
The new Ballywalter Game & Country Living Fair has now grown to two days – Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st
May 2011 at the beautiful Ballywalter Estate, Co Down.
Background
Visitors to last year's one day event saw a very different Fair to that previously organised at Ballywalter by BASC.
The team from the Great Game Fairs of Ireland had used their organisational experience and marketing flair to deliver a
completely new stylish event which really did appeal to the country sports enthusiast.
The house was a superb backdrop to the 2010 fair
Careful use of the superb ambience of the house and surrounds set the tone of this Fair - a new stylish and elegant, yet very
traditional game fair with an action packed main arena programme, good array of stands, and a good range of competitions with
fantastic prizes all crammed into one day of superb entertainment. All the old favourite attractions will be there together
with some very new ones and the whole event was focused on involvement, interaction and participation in a real celebration of
traditional country sports and country life in the traditions of the best County Down Fairs.
The 2011 Fair
Marketing Director Albert Titterington, a veteran of 44 game and country fairs, and several hundreds of other exhibitions over a
33 year career of delivering successful events, says: "The good news is that because of the experience and expertise of our team
we have completely turned round an event that was due not to run in 2010 in such a positive fashion that we have decided to step
it up a few gears and run it as a high profile two day event in 2011 under our Great Game Fairs of Ireland brand."
"In spite of the economic gloom I can announce that with good support from Ards Council and investment of time. money and
expertise from our team, we have put in place an exciting new event with a good range of stands, a superb main arena programme
and a international competition and prize structure second only to that of the Great Game Fairs of Ireland at Shanes and Birr
Castles."
"In 2011 we have decided to develop a unique Victorian/Edwardian theme for the fair to reflect the history of the house and family
and a golden era for country sports and rural pursuits through royal patronage.
We consider that this theme will not only entertain and educate (part of the School Curriculum) but will play to the strengths
of this most picturesque and traditional game fair site."
"Style and elegance will also be a theme with many costumed performers strolling in the grounds and providing entertaining theatre.
We are indebted to Alan Elspy (of Alan Espy Interiors and clothing stores in Ards) for sponsoring £100 clothing vouchers
for the Best Dressed Lady and the Best Dressed Gentleman on the Sunday."
Heaps of tradition and superb entertainment and displays
The Great Game Fairs of Ireland team have always believed that the proper setting for a game or country fair is a traditional
country house estate. Yes of course you can attempt to run one in a public park or on playing fields or even as they themselves
have done during the FMD crisis, but the proper setting must be an estate.
Lord & Lady Dunleath are superb hosts and have allowed the team almost unrestricted use of their magnificent estate. An
imaginative and improved layout of the 2011 fair involves the house, lawns and the stable yard.
Visitors to the fair could well think they had stepped on to the set of a programme such as Downton Abbey as the surrounds of the
house will feature displays of horse drawn vehicles, vintage cars and costumed players from the theatre group Valhalla. The latter
will be performing Sherlock Holmes and other plays of the era.
History & tradition – representatives of some of the sporting interests join the cast of the Valhalla Theatre Company.
Falconry, fly casting (featuring Charles Jardine in period costume with period tackle); costumed archery and game displays and
various historical cameos such as Queen Victoria breaking a dinner plate at 100 yards with a Whitworth Rifle and having Master
McGrath presented to her will be played out on the carefully manicured lawns of the house. The house and lawns will literally come
to life with the sights and sounds of its illustrious past.
The Sporting Village
Moving just round the corner into the atmospheric setting of the old stableyard one will step into definitely one of the most
attractive and arguably the best Sporting Village to be mounted in Ireland. A tented village of trade stands will
face a fantastic array of stands sited in the old Victorian stables and this should create a rather magical and intimate atmosphere.
The Sporting Village
Highlights of the village include a BASC Roadshow with its Marksman Shooting Simulator and massive display of sporting weapons
by Donal McCloy Guns Unlimited, including some specially brought in for the event, David Robinson of Firefly and Stephen Smyth
of Smyth's Country Sports in Coleraine.
The existing display of taxidermy exhibits by Belfast Victorian taxidermist James Sheals and a more modern display by Ingrid
Houwers – Ingrid reckoned by many to be one of the best taxidermists in Ireland will put on a superb wildlife display and also
give a lecture tour of the Sheals exhibit. There will also be displays of sporting art by international artist David L Prescott.
Ingrid Houwers with Oscar – one of her live exhibits!
There will also be shopping opportunities galore with the extensive range of clothing (including Jack Pyke) on display by Firefly
and Stephen Smyth is bringing a large Barbour shop and of course game keeping supplies and a good range of dog
& horse food and nutritional advice from leading Irish company Redmills.
One of the most varied and interesting stands will be the Irish Countrysports and Country Life magazine stand which will feature
a number of special offers and host attractions such as a 'problem dog clinic' by BBC's Dog Guru – canine behaviouralist Keith
Mathews; The I Shoot & Fish forum from the ROI; and taking the lead on promoting game and fish cookery in Ireland - the
jointly sponsored with FLogas – Game & Fish Cookery displays by leading Irish chef Emmett Mc Court. This is expected to be a
real highlight of the fair because apart from being a superb demonstrator and chef, Emmett is also a rarity amongst chefs in that
he is a keen fly fisherman and shot, a food writer and historian. We could think of no better chef to produce dishes that
reflected the historical theme of the Fair.
Emmett McCourt – a profile
Emmett McCourt started his career 24 years ago at the NI Hotel and Catering College Portrush and since then has travelled the
world working in the kitchens of some of the best restaurants, luxury cruise liners and hotels with some of the worlds greatest
chefs such as the legendary George Paineu and Ives Thuries from France.
Emmett demonstrating at Shanes Castle
His cooking influences are taken from far and near, but he describes his cooking as 'Classical French with Modern
Interpretations'. Constantly trying to test his skills and widen his experience he has competed locally and internationally at
'salon culinaires' and holds numerous awards and medals .He judges regularly at Chef Skills Competitions and is Theatre manager
at the IFEX Chef Skill Belfast. He has co authored the book Food Reflections of N Ireland and holds
a BSc Degree in International Culinary Arts from Thames Valley University.
He Lecturers at the North-West Regional College Londonderry and at Belfast Metropolitan College and demonstrates locally and
nationally in stores and at major food events and at times for the Great Game Fairs of Ireland events. He has also contributed
to Irish Country Sports and Country life magazine 'Cookery Pages'.
He endeavours to utilise local and ethically sourced and sustainable ingredients wherever possible and as his other passions are
fishing and shooting – game and fish are heavily featured in his menus. In fact his interest in fly fishing led to him making
a contribution to the hugely successful limited edition angling book "Willow Pitch" by specialist angling publishers Little
Egret Press in Cornwall. He is currently working on a book which traces the historical and cultural food aspects of Irish life
he claims that "This will be a food journey that will feature the many natural and wild produce of the time, recipes such as
the Victorian Classic " Potted Trout or Salmon" ,Wild Fruit preserves, and many Game Dishes.
Emmett is delighted to showcase his skills at the events organised by the Great Game Fairs of Ireland as he considers that
demonstrations such as these give people an opportunity to see and to taste the quality of ethically and locally sourced produce
that Ireland has to offer when it is imaginatively and creatively prepared and presented. He also appreciates that the team from
the Great Game Fairs of Ireland, with the massive and knowledgeable public attendance at their events and the extensive
readership of the Irish Countrysports and Country Life magazine. have been at the forefront of promoting the eating of game and
fish in Ireland.
A typical classic Roast goose dish from Emmett Mc Court
Emmett will be demonstrating his considerable skills at the Ballywalter Game Fair on the 30th April and the 1st May this year
with both modern and classical recipes. He invites you to come and visit him at the Flogas Kitchen in the evocative setting of
Ballywalter House's Victorian Stableyard. As he says "This must be one of the most perfect of locations to demonstrate the
cooking skills of the Victorian and Georgian eras to produce mouth watering dishes such "Game Pie", "Braised Saddle of Rabbit,"
"Potted Trout on Toast, "Pot Roasted Pheasant" and many more ..."
There will be opportunities to sample Emmett's cooking and even perhaps to take some home for your dinner and if his demos have
your taste buds tingling why not help yourself to a 'hog roast' on your way out of the yard.
Outside the Sporting Village
Of course while the Sporting Village and its unique setting is certainly a 'jewel in the crown' of the new Ballywalter Fair it
is only a small part of the myriad activities that will take place.
There are a fantastic range of sporting competitions with prize funds only surpassed in Ireland by the other Great Game Fairs
of Ireland at Shanes and Birr Castles. These are covered in more depth under EVENTS,
but once again all of these will have an historical theme and all of them will be enhanced by their superb natural settings
within the estate.
Directors Albert Titterington and Edwin Dash with Liz Edgar and Ingrid Houwers – set the scene for the whole fair
The rest of the tented village of trade stands are carefully laid out in appropriate rows around the action packed main arena.
There are rows of the latest country clothing and accessories including the superb Dubarry boots; a large fisherman's row with
tackle to suit the most discerning of anglers and every angler's pocket; a huge Fine Food & Crafts Pavilion
with superb delicacies from Game Pies, through exotic meats, fantastic Irish Cheeses; super local sea food to traditional
smoked fare and fine drinks and an Ards & Co Down Past & Present Pavilion showcasing industries of the
past such as the linen industry associated with the Mulholland family – including an exhibit by the Linen Museum, dyeing and
spinning, quilting etc; a superb display of vintage guns by the Edgar family; a wildfowling exhibit mounted by BASC supported
by the Joint Council of Strangford Lough Wildfowlers; a natural history/environmental exhibit by the Strangford Lough Management
Group plus many other superb historical and modern exhibits of life, economic life and culture of the county. Other displays
include conservation exhibits from the RSPB, Conservation Volunteers, Ulster Wildlife Trust, National Trust and the World of
Owls ; The Countryside Alliance Ireland and APGAI stands hosting attractions and giving useful advice; vintage and classic cars
and 4x 4 vehicles; ferrets; gardening and in short everything to buy into the country lifestyle.
Gundog Row
As one would expect with such an international canine extravaganza in place , only matched in Northern Ireland by the Fair at
Shanes Castle there is a superb display of canine products including food, bedding, pens, kennelling, training equipment and
travelling boxes AND something truly unique a WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT by Keith Mathews , the BBC's Dog Guru .
Keith will attempt to set a record for the largest training class ever conducted by a canine behaviouralist at a
public event anywhere in the world. So if you have a problem dog or even minor problems with your dog why not join Keith in the
main arena and become part of canine history.
Keith draws the crowds at Ballywalter in 2010
Children
The Great Game Fairs of Ireland are the 'family friendly' fairs offering families not only TWO of the BEST events for the price
of one but a superb range of educational and action packed entertainment.
A big Family Show
The Irish Game Keepers Fair
Ballywalter has been nominated as the Irish Game Keepers Fair and Keeper Gordon Woolridge, in association with Stuart McIntosh and
Irish Countrysports and Country Life magazine, is hosting a special 'keepers' marquee for keepers and their wives from all over
Ireland. Invitations will be sent out but to be sure of yours and your free tickets please contact Albert Titterington on 028
(from ROI 048) 44839167 or E: irishgamefair@btinternet.com.
The Main Arena Programme
A free downloadable & printable programme giving full arena timings will be published on the web site when all of our
attractions are finally in place. A free programme will also be available at the fair.
Countryside Alliance's Ashley Graham discusses the terrier & lurcher events with Arena Director Philip Lawton and Chief
Steward Tom Fulton.
But the main arena programme will include : the inimitable Keith Mathews; Gundog demonstrations by the Labrador Club of NI;
'Riverdance on Horseback' by the world ranked dancing horses from the Cochise Stud; an equestrian extravaganza of carriages
and running horses; horse & hound displays; terrier, whippet & lurcher racing; The Victorian Poacher longnetting; muzzle loading;
vintage cars; pipes & drums; casting demonstrations from top international casters; Period Theatre from the Valhalla Theatre Group;
free flying falconry from the North Ireland School of Falconry PLUS masses of other demonstrations on the lawns of the house AND
a punt gunning display on the lake!
High Flying Falcons - John Carmichael of the Northern Ireland School of Falconry will be on hand to gives displays and give
opportunities to handle these fantastic birds of prey – even to local MP Jim Shannon!
Its not just Harry Potter who likes Owls
Apart from the free flying and static displays carried out by John Carmichael of the NI School of Falconry those who love birds
of prey , and of course Harry Potter fans, can also see and handle a fantastic range of animals on the stand manned by Mike Gibb
and his team from the World of Owls. This is a real chance for children to get 'up close and personal' with animals only really
ever seen on 'the big screen'.
Mike Gibb can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about owls.
Tony Carinduff and his Ferrets - A Game Fair Tradition
If one man and one display sum up the 'ethos' of the Irish Game Fair it is Tony Carinduff and his ferrets. Tony has been a key
attraction at fairs stretching back into the eighties. He not only entertains the young people but imparts useful advice to even
the wiliest of adult ferreters and a Tony Carinduff ferret is a highly prized one. Tony is a Game Fair institution.
Everyone's interested in ferrets! Tony with ex Taoiseach Brian Cowan at The Irish Game & Country Fair at Birr Castle
A unique Gundog Demonstration!
The Great Game Fairs of Ireland have the best gundog competitions and also some of the best gundog demonstrations. This year
at Ballywalter we have Joe Morrison and his team from the Labrador Club of NI demonstrating quality retriever handling and
Willie Edgar demonstrating top quality cocker and springer spaniel handing. But for sheer uniqueness Billy Lewis and Kieran
Fox with their HPR demo on Sunday will be hard to beat.
Billy and Kieran, two of the top Irish HPR handlers with put on a display with German Short Haired Pointers and a Vizla of
these dogs hunting, pointing and retrieving. And to get into the Victorian theme of the fair Billy will be doing it dressed
in traditional garb - an Irish not Scottish kilt!
Victorian - is this John Brown? - no that-s and Irish kilt - it must be Billy Lewis
'Stalking On Water' - Puntgunning Action At Ballywalter Game Fair
There's something really unique happening this year when a punt gun's black powder boom echoes across the lake at Ballywalter
Game Fair. And as the gunner says, 'it's just like your own personal earthquake happening.'
With the Fair's Edwardian and Victorian theme, living history will go with a real bang when enthusiast Andy Scullion shows the
way that punt gunners worked around a century ago, pursuing wildfowl on the water.
Never seen a punt gun before? Well, think of a huge gun barrel mounted on a frail, shallow craft propelled by a wildfowler
using paddles in a gale force wind out on an estuary.
And this sight of man against the elements will be recreated at the lake at Ballywalter Game Fair on 30 April and 1 May, when
for the only time in Ireland or the UK at any game or country fair, a punt gun fires its massive charge of black powder for
all to see.
Andy in action on Lough Foyle (photo Nicky Cahill)
Punt Gunner Andy said: "The punt was made in Coleraine and has seen action on Lough Foyle and Larne Lough. The gun itself is
Suffolk made by famed maker Alan Owens, with a barrel 99 inches long, weighing 108 pounds, so it's no easy task manoeuvring it.
I managed to buy it around four years ago and using it is simply like stepping back in time. There's a charge of 3 3/4 ounces
of coarse black powder to be rammed into the gun by hand, along with the wads to fire the pound and a quarter of shot. And
that's a big bang believe me!
So apart from LIVE punt gun shooting on the lake there's little doubt that there is only one place to be on 30 April and 1 May
- Ballywalter Game Fair.
|
