Thousands to attend Irish Game Fair at Shanes Castle on 24-25 June 2022

The Irish Game Fair at Shanes Castle, Antrim is set to break all attendance records for the family show on 25th & 26th June 2022 after an absence of two years due to the Covid pandemic.

Fair Director Albert Titterington said that the family-centered event which had introduced three generations to the country lifestyle since he launched the first Irish Game Fair 43 years ago, would likely be attended by the largest number of people in its history.

Albert Titterington said: “The Irish Game Fair is the only major country sports event in Ireland this year and is a long awaited countryside extravaganza for thousands of enthusiasts and their families.

“While there is definitely a major country sports focus for the large and committed all-Ireland sporting audience, this year we have made sure that the Fair has an unrivalled breadth and depth of appeal as a comprehensive, family-focused celebration of Irish country life.”

He also announced that there was a very special addition to the Fair this year in the form of an ‘Antrim Fly Fair at Shanes Castle’ organised by Stevie Munn. He said: “This makes its debut with nearly 30 international fly dressers, trade stands, casting and fly tying demos & tuition. There’s a special ‘put & take’ fishery for kids, a bug life experience and a big game angling simulator.”

Turning to what else was on offer at Shanes Castle this year, Albert Titterington said that there was quite literally something for everyone interested in country sports and conservation, dogs, donkeys, living history and of course, day long entertainment in three Arenas.

Albert Titterington said: “There will be displays by the main Irish country sports organisations exhibiting either in their own pavilions or in the ‘Salmon & Woodcock Pavilion,’ supported by DAERA. This includes the Federation of Salmon & Sea Trout Anglers; Ulster Angling Federation; No Salmon Nets Ireland; Association Professional Game Anglers Ireland, CIC trophy measurement, Irish Working Terrier Federation, plus a number of clubs and conservation bodies. 

“We have the largest and most varied ‘Canine Weekend’ in Ireland: Red Mills Spaniel Tests; Feedwell Retriever Tests; Feedwell ALL IRELAND Terrier, Lurcher & Whippet Championships & Racing; Red Mills Master McGrath Challenge/Feedwell Mick the Miller Challenge; Pedigree and Dog Agility shows; Gundog Scurry organised by GR&RH, Springer Spaniel display by Tim Crothers and a unique Red Mills Golden Retriever display by Shauna McGroarty and her team. A brand new addition is a terrier maze where terriers or other small dogs can be timed against the clock.

“There will be top quality clay pigeon shooting, ‘have a go archery’ and air rifle shooting and  shooters can improve their shooting by getting their gun fitted to them by Chris Symonds or coaching by Shane Bisgood, author of the book ‘The Complete Shot’. 

“We’ll have horses & hounds; carriage and horse drawn vehicle driving by the Whip & Collar  Carriage Driving Club; the Donkey Breed Society NI displays in period costume and static display of donkeys in the ‘donkey village’ and also Johnny Fee’s Gypsy Encampment & horse drawn threshing. In addition, there will be free flying falconry displays throughout the two days and a static display of birds including a golden eagle. There will be a ferret show & racing on Sunday morning.”

Albert Titterington outlined just some of the many attractions at this year’s Irish Game Fair: “Our Fine Food & Craft Festival, arguably the highlight of a large tented village of country living retailers,  is recognised as one of NI’s biggest and  best by the Daily Telegraph, Delicious magazine and BBC Farmer’s Country Showdown.

“Visitors can sample the finest artisan cheeses, bacon, dexter beef, award winning sausages, beer, ciders, and spirits. The craft section has woodworkers, pottery, taxidermy, leatherwork, jewellery, fashion, natural cosmetics, wood turning and stickmaking demonstrations, and fine art, curios and demos.

In addition to the artisan Food Festival the trade village of around 150 retailers from all over Ireland and GB provide virtually everything to ‘buy into’ the country lifestyle’. 

From country fashion from well  known names Like Barbour and ‘Duck Dri’; all sorts of vehicles including tractors, 4x4s from top marques’, vintage and off road motorbikes; quads; gardening and garden equipment, all sorts of canine food, equipment and accessories and obviously sporting goods ALL at very good prices.

Turning to the Living History Festival at Shanes Castle, Albert Titterington said that a full size Viking Longship and several dozen costumed re-enactors  might well be the stars of the show. “Living History Ireland’s encampment and re-enactments bring to life Antrim’s and NI’s history in an entertaining and educational fashion.

“Sited in the evocative setting of the old Shanes Castle (reputedly damaged by a flaming banshee) families can wander through several time periods from Vikings to World War 2 in an educational as well as entertaining fashion as they interact with literally hundreds of costumed re-enactors.

“The main focus this year is on Vikings and the legend of the Red Hand of Ulster & the O’Neills. And apart from Viking clashes there will be a full size Viking longship which is definitely something not to be missed.”

Turning to day-long entertainment, Albert Titterington said: “Our three Main Arenas will feature country sports, Viking action, muzzle loaders, living history, dog shows and dog agility, falcons, ferrets, horse and donkey drawn vehicles and even wellie boot throwing! 

“Children are very well-catered for with a special Amusements Area for Children, DAERA Put & Take Fishery organised by Bobby Bryans and NSN team; Have a Go Archery & Field Target Air Rifle Shooting, animals galore, and a special Gamekeepers Marquee’ with game displays plus Ferrets, Falcons, Horses, Dogs and Game Birds and the brand new Terrier Maze will keep you entertained by the terriers’ antics.”

Albert Titterington added: “Alongside the entertainment, competitions, displays and living history,  a huge tented village of themed trade stands offers a wonderful opportunity for shoppers to try and buy. We offer excellent visitor services, including comprehensive food and drink offerings and facilities over a well-organised, stewarded, and signposted site including a FREE programme with map  (downloadable from www.irishgamefair.com  and FREE parking in close proximity to the main site.

“With its very central historic location on Lough Neagh; its unique NI and ROI country sports appeal; its Living History Festival and its award winning Fine Food Festival; the Irish Game Fair arguably ‘ticks more boxes’ of the ‘embrace the Giant Spirit’ brand than virtually any other NI event in delivering a complete and unique NI visitor experience of country life and Antrim/NI history.

“TICKETS can be purchased through Eventbrite or purchased at the gate (cash). In order to increase the efficiency of entry & parking we have absorbed the normal Eventbrite ticketing charge and Eventbrite ticket holders will go straight through to priority parking. 

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/irish-game-fair-fine-food-festival-tickets-335980636127

The Irish Game Fair at Shanes Castle is supported by TourismNI and Antrim & Newtownabbey Council; and by CastleWood Holiday Park https://blairsholidayparks.com/

Keep up to date with Game Fair news on:

www.irishgamefair.com or www.thevirtualgamefair.com

Telephone: 028 (from ROI 048) 44839167

For the Antrim Fly Fair:

visit http://antrimflyfair.com/

Email: irishgamefair@btinternet.com          greatirishgamefairs@gmail.com