The Shane’s Castle Game Fair is back on 25-26 June 2022
The Irish Game Fair is once again back at Shane’s Castle and will be bigger and better with a brand new sponsor on board.
After two year’s postponement due to the Covid pandemic, the Irish Game Fair & Fine Food Festival returns to Shane’s Castle, Antrim on the 25-26th June bigger and better than ever.
A packed press briefing heard Game Fair Director Albert Titterington announce that the Shane’s Castle Fair – the only Game Fair in Ireland this year – has an all-Ireland focus attracting record crowds.
Welcoming a brand new Game Fair sponsor, Castlewood Holiday Park, Antrim, Albert Titterington also announced several brand new attractions including a new Viking Encampment complete with full size Viking long boat, set alongside the Living History Village section of the Fair. Albert also announced that a new international Fly Fishing Fair would be onsite and will be a major highlight for keen anglers.
Albert Titterington said: “I am particularly pleased to join up with Castlewood Holiday Park as a new resource for visitors wanting to stay over and enjoy both days of the fair and the other attractions in the area.
“And of course with the angling resources available in Antrim and Newtownabbey, the fly fair will be an event which highlights the area as a great venue for anglers… www.antrimflyfair.com .”
Vanessa Elder, Operations Manager of Blair’s Holiday Parks said; “We are very excited to be the title sponsor for such a prestigious event and delighted that the Irish Game Fair and Fine Food Festival is back this year!
“As we open up CastleWood Holiday Park, which is located in the grounds of Shane’s Castle, Antrim, we could think of no better platform to launch the opening of our new holiday park destination.”
Andy Wright, Castlewood Site Manager said: “We look forward to welcoming guests to the show, as we introduce our brand new #happystays location to the Blair’s Holiday Park’s Brand. Castlewood Holiday Park will welcome short-term touring caravans, visitors to our luxury hire vans, as well as our camping cabins – all nestled in the historic woodland of Shane’s Castle.
“We, of course, will have static caravan pitches available for those who are thinking of buying a holiday home at CastleWood. Our presence at the Irish Game Fair will display a sample of available caravans for CastleWood Holiday Park, and a chance to meet the team and chat over your #happystays options for 2022 and beyond.”
Living History Director of the Fair, George Logan, explained that while the Living History Festival features facets of Antrim’s history from Vikings through to the Battle of Antrim to World War II, this year there would be a significant emphasis on the Viking link with Antrim.
George Logan said: “The Vikings sailed up the Bann and wrote their place in Antrim’s history through the legend of the Red Hand of Ulster and the O’Neills.
“This time they will be encamped at the old O’Neill Castle, a stones throw from all the other Game Fair action. What an opportunity for children of all ages to see ‘real’ Vikings with their full scale replica Viking boat.”
The Fair’s angling Director, Stevie Munn, is an internationally respected angler with his base in Co. Antrim and someone who has great pride in the angling resources of his home area.
Stevie’s 10 year record of organising highly successful international Fly Fairs in Ireland attracting top international companies, fly dressers and anglers is unmatched. Stevie Munn said: “I am determined that this international fly fair running for the two days of the Game Fair at Shane’s Castle will add much in terms of fly tying, equipment and advice for angling enthusiasts to the many other angling attractions at the Game Fair.
Albert Titterington added: “There will be many attractions for visitors to the Game Fair at Shane’s Castle with a particular emphasis on country sports and crafts, including a Fine Food & Craft Festival sited within a huge tented village of trade stands.
“Meanwhile visitors can take in on-going Main Arena entertainment, and see top international country sports competitions and displays with fabulous prizes. Visitors will see animals galore around the Game Fair, including all breeds of dogs, ferrets, falcons, horses and delightful donkeys.”
And all this is happening at Shane’s Castle, Antrim, the Game Fair Weekend of Saturday and Sunday 25 & 26th June
The fair is supported by TourismNI and Antrim & Newtownabbey Council.
Keep up to date with Game Fair news on: www.irishgamefair.com or www.thevirtualgamefair.com
Telephone: 028 (from ROI 048) 44839167
Email: irishgamefair@btinternet.com
The first phase at Castlewood Holiday Park will be open at the time of the fair and will boast 10 touring caravan pitches, 7 luxurious hire-vans with hot tubs, as well as 10 camping cabins also accompanied with hot tubs! It will be open for the Game Fair. For further information on how you can buy your own holiday home at CastleWood holiday park, or when you can book your very own #happystay in our glorious woodland setting, please just visit blairsholidayparks.com/stay or contact us on telephone 028 7082 3537
Admission to the Game Fair is £10 for adults; £5 for children 6-16 and £25 for families ( 2 Adults and up to 4 children). Parking and programme are free. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite or paid for at the gate.
Full details on the fair are available at:
