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 The further development of the NEW IRISH GAME FAIR at BALLYWALTER Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May 2012
In 2010 BASC decided to cancel the established Fair at Ballywalter. However a groundswell of sporting, tourism and trade
interests requested that the very experienced and successful team from Country Lifestyle Exhibitions Ltd take the event
under their wing and use their marketing expertise to revitalise the Game Fair concept in County Down.
Thus an exciting NEW IRISH GAME FAIR - The Ballywalter Game & Country Living Fair was staged at Ballywalter Park in
2010 and joined the Irish Game Fair, at Shanes Castle and the Irish Game & Country Fair at Birr Castle under the GREAT
GAME FAIRS of IRELAND brand.
In 2011 in response to the demand from exhibitors, competitors and public the fair was extended to full days and the fair
programme with innovative marketing and a 'back to basics' approach a successful fair was created with the country sports
values and ethos of the old Game Fairs at Clandeboye, where the CLE team first brought a sustainable Game Fair concept
to Ireland.
In 2012 further steps have been taken to bring the Fair back to its former glory as the largest fair in Ireland.
Back in time with some style at Ballywalter...
The first Irish game fair of the season is the newest and fastest growing of the series and arguably the most stylish.
Ballywalter Game & Country Living Fair's two days of style, spectacle and top class game fair attractions, competitions
and family entertainment will make you think you'd stepped back in time.
Think Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs and come to Ballywalter Park on Saturday 5th & 6th May and you'll find a
traditional estate in the Victorian/Edwardian era, a golden time for field sports – real living history!
There's carriages, vintage vehicles, costumed players and traditional falconry, vintage angling, muzzle loading shooting and
Victorian archery displays. Plus of course we will step forward as well as back with some great up to date attractions
including top game fair competitions and a wealth of other displays and exhibits.
There will also be a further revitalisation of the programme of events and an improved layout. The Fair will be located around
the front of the house and stable block with the normal excellent parking facilities. The history of the house and family will
also continue to form the backdrop to a brand new focus – Victorian/Edwardian themed attractions. This period was a golden age
for country sports and pulling the two themes together in the beautiful surroundings of Ballywalter Park should enhance the
enjoyment of a day out in the beautiful County Down countryside packed with country sports, living history and rural displays,
exhibits, competitions and activities with an unrivalled opportunity for participation/interaction.
Not only living history and country sports but a 'flavour of fine food'...
A key ingredient of this year's Ballywalter Fair will be the Flavour Food Festival. Organised and hosted by Flavour magazine,
the Food Festival, based in the Victorian courtyard, will bring together an eclectic mix of producers from the region, allowing
visitors to sample and buy some of the finest food and drink available in Ireland. From handmade preserves and local whiskey to
artisan cheese and savoury salads, there will be something sure to tickle your tastebuds!
Throughout the two days of the Fair, the Flavour Food Festival's cookery demonstrations will provide inspirational ideas and
recipes for cooking up tasty family dinners and meals for special occasions, with hints and tips provided by our chefs on making
the most of the wonderful produce grown here in the north of Ireland. So don't miss out, put the dates in your dairy to discover
some great tastes of home!
Education and entertainment for the whole family...
Conservation is a large part of the focus of the fair and this year's theme of the 'Year of the Salmon & Trout' not only
promotes the joys of fishing and Ireland's great game fishing heritage but also has a serious conservation message about
salmon stocks. Add in an eco village, a children's area , an action packed main arena programme and loads of animals from
snakes to ferrets and birds of prey and parents will find that their children will have stepped into a living classroom and
will have a day's entertainment that they will never forget. Amongst the many new attractions planned for New for this year
Attendance will be further enhanced and improved by a high profile, multi media marketing campaign and some very attractive
discounted admission packages including for adults the £10 admission ticket with Free programme (receives a £5
admission voucher for the Shanes Castle Fair and a €10 admission voucher for the Birr Castle Fair) For families the
£25 admission ticket with free programme (receives a £15 admission voucher for Shanes Castle Fair and a €15
admission voucher for Birr Castle Fair). This should help country sports people and their families to enjoy three great
days out and THREE Great Fairs for less than the price of two AND ensure that the new Ballywalter Fair continues to grow
rapidly. In fact we are confident that the Ballywalter Game and Country Living Fair in this and future years will only be
surpassed in attendance by the other two Great Game Fairs of Ireland at Shanes Castle and Birr Castle.
As the 2010 and 2011 Fairs at Shanes Castle had the largest attendance of any Fairs in Ireland ever, it is considered that
this attractive "credit crunching" ticket offer will not only totally revitalise the Fair at Ballywalter but also further
enhance the attendance at Shanes Castle and its position as Ireland's premier Game Fair.
Exhibitors too have not been ignored for special offers and with the organisers now being able to offer a fantastically
integrated promotional package for Ireland of the two leading Fairs in their respective parts of Ireland the Irish Game Fair
at Shanes Castle, Antrim on the 7th & 8th July 2012; The Irish Game & Country Fair at Birr Castle, Co Offaly on the
25th & 26th August 2012; advertising and editorial in Ireland's leading hunting, shooting and fishing magazine (now in
an additional FREE to READ online format on www.countrysportsandcountrylife.com)
AND now this new and exciting early season Game Fair at Ballywalter.
Specially discounted packages are available for all or part of this unique package and we also have special ferry and
accommodation rates SO there really is no better way of promoting your products in Ireland than by exhibiting at Ballywalter
and/or the Great Game Fairs of Ireland at Shanes & Birr and/or advertising in the Irish Countrysports and Country Life
magazine.
For further details please contact: Albert or Irene Titterington or Paul Robinson on: 028 (from ROI 048) 44839167 / 44615416
email us at irishgamefair@btinternet.com
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