SUPPORT COUNTRY SPORTS AT THE IRISH GAME FAIR, SHANES CASTLE

Show the strength of support for country sports by helping the Irish Game Fair break all attendance records

The team from the Great Game Fairs of Ireland have reached a fantastic milestone of having organised SEVENTY game fairs in the 42 year history of the Irish Game Fair.

With threats to our sports ongoing they call on ALL Irish country sports enthusiasts to demonstrate their commitment to promoting and defending ALL country sports by simply coming and enjoying a ‘day out’ with their family at the only Irish Game Fair this year. A huge attendance at Shanes Castle on the 25th & 26th could well make politicians think again about legislation which could curtail our sports.

Top country sports and rural displays

Apart from all of the usual international country sports competitions - gundogs, clay shooting, terriers and lurchers –with their excellent prize funds the fair features all sorts of other facets of rural life including horses and donkeys, falcons, horse and hounds, ferrets, game displays and rural crafts including wood turning and stickmaking.

A New Fly Fair from Stevie Munn the organiser of the Galway Fly Fair

The angling section of the fair has been greatly enhanced with a new fly fair based around the old railway station with dozens of fly dressers, great tackle stands, fantastic casting displays and a ‘put and take’ fishery for children. See www.antrimflyfair.com unique range of country living products including everything you need for your canine companions. Plus the largest ever Fine Food & Craft Festival, including game and fish cookery demos, to be seen at any Irish country Fair.

Living History Festival and Encampment

The evocative setting of the old castle on Lough Neagh will ‘come alive’ with a tented village of costumed reenactors from historic timelines from the VIkings who sailed up the Bann to give rise to the legend of the ‘Red Hand of Ulster and the O’Neills; the Battle of Antrim in 1798 and even the two World wars. We hope to have an actual Viking ship on display!

Non stop entertainment in three arenas

There is a huge range of continuous displays going on throughout the day in three arenas plus a unique shopping experience provided by the huge range of retail outlets all taking place in the beautiful and historic setting of the Shanes Castle Estate. We consider there is no more spectacular or value for money ‘days out’ for the whole family.

Admission:Adult £10, Child 6-15 £5 and Family (Two Adults and up to 4 children) £25. Programme & Parking FREE. Tickets can be purchased in advance and programme downloaded from www.irishgamefair.com See videos of the fair on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZwsE_EUmvu. 2xZvmwuq5CzA

Antrim – the home of the Game Fair and a great place for a ‘staycation’

Antrim and Newtownabbey Council area is not only the host and sponsor of the Irish Game Fair and many other events including the Steam Rally and the Garden Show but with its unique location ‘touching’ both Lough Neagh and Belfast Lough has a huge range of attractions and a fantastic range of accommodation choices for those who wish to visit the Game Fair and combine it with a short break.

Apart from the attractions of the great pubs and restaurants in Antrim and Randalstown including the famous Ramble Inn, there is The Junction Outlet centre and of course Antrim is within easy reach of the shopping opportunities and attractions of Belfast including the Titanic centre which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Obviously its central location in NI also makes it an ideal base to visit the Glens of Antrim, the Giants Causeway and Derry CIty. To see some of the attractions in the area including angling opportunities see visitantrimandnewtownabbey.com.

There is a wide range of accommodation available from caravan parks to luxury hotels.

Castlewood Holiday Park- the Game Fair’s main sponsor and situated in the Shanes Castle grounds.

Blair’s Holiday Parks is delighted to announce that their brandnew holiday park based in Antrim will open this summer

Blair’s #happystayethos will be transported to one of Ireland’s most historic castle grounds and the team cannot wait to welcome you!

Castlewood Holiday Park is nestled in woodland bursting with local wildlife from deer to pheasant. The new development not only has views of Shane’s Castle, with the beauty of Six Mile Water just next door- there is even a very majestic Redwood Tree greeting new customers as they explore Blair’s new setting.

The first phase at Castlewood Holiday Park will boast 10 touring caravan pitches, 7 luxurious hire-vans with hot tubs, as well as 10 camping cabins also accompanied with hot tubs! Visitors to the Game Fair can avail of all of these facilities at very special prices.

Of course, visitors will also have the exciting opportunity to buy their very own holiday home located at CastleWood Holiday Park.

Over the next few years and development stages, the company will be adding more touring pitches, holiday home sites, as well as developing their very own high ropes course!

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

To check out other places to stay when you are visiting the fair visit www.thevirtualgamefair.com/exhibitors/holiday-tourismpavilion/

The Game Fair acknowledges the support of Antrim & Newtownabbey Council and TourismNI.

Cabins with hot tubs available to hire for the Game Fair

The McKeever Group

The McKeever group of hotels has several hotels in the area including their ‘flagship’ hotel the recently refurbished Dunadry Hotel. They invite you to experience true tranquility on the banks of the Six Mile River this Spring, as you explore the 4 Star luxuries of Dunadry Hotel And Gardens, County Antrim.

“With history dating back to the 1600s, there is an abundance of stories of times gone by waiting to be discovered, from the original wooden beetles of the Linen Mill it used to house, to the Tree of Peace and Unity, symbolic to Northern Ireland’s troubled past.

During your visit you can unwind at our Health & Fitness Club, whether that is dipping a toe in our indoor heated pool, blowing off some steam in the fully equipped gym or simply relaxing in our thermal areas. Or take a moment to explore our beautiful setting as you stroll through our award-winning gardens, including the calming river walk.

Finish your day with an exceptional dining experience in the AA Rosette Mill Race Restaurant where you can indulge in the best of local produce from our seasonal menus.

Book your getaway to County Antrim now by visiting dunadry.com.”

Other hotels include the Dunsilly Hotel which has a special ‘Game Fair rate.’ https://www.mckeeverhotelgroup.com/our-hotels/

Other hotels and guest houses also offer special Game Fair rates.