Emerald Newsletter April 2009 by Lyall Plant

April 2009 Volume 9, Issue 1

Emerald Newsletter Calor Gas Ireland and CAI Sponsor Irish Gun Dog Team for the CLA

Pictured left to right: Lyall Plant (CAI), Willie Edgar (IGT) and Berni Neill Calor Gas Ireland

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

alor Gas, the leading name in the supply of LPG across Ireland has announced it will be the main sponsor of the Irish Gun Dog Team who will travel to this year‘s CLA game fair at Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Leicestershire. Calor Gas has always enjoyed strong links with the rural community, from their early days over 70 years ago as the main source of heating and cooking in rural homes, to agriculture and commercial use today and they continue to be proactive in their support of rural life and rural activities.

Message from the Chief Executive 2

Berni Neill, Calor Gas Marketing Executive said: ―We are proud to be associated with supporting such a prestigious sporting event and would like to wish the Irish team every success at the CLA Championships.‖.

Birr & Shanes Castle Game Fairs.. 8

Countryside Alliance Ireland in its commitment to country sports is continuing its sponsorship of the Irish Gun Dog Team for the forth coming trial season. Lyall Plant, Chief Executive said: ―We are committed to all country sports and indeed field trials are a very important part of our sporting activities and this is an ideal platform to formally recognise our continuing support. We are delighted that Calor Gas Ireland has decided to be the main sponsor and we will work with them over the coming months to maximize the publicity for the Irish Gun Dog Team.

Casting For Recovery .................... 3 Coursing Roundup ........................ 4 Ballywalter Game Fair .................. 5 National Countrysports Fair ......... 6 CLA Travel Offer ........................... 7 Ballinlough Castle Game Fair ....... 10 Beagling Update ............................ 13 Lusk Pheasant Club News ............. 13 Struggling with a sense of Loss ..... 14 A Day to Forget ............................. 15 Hunting Roundup ......................... 16 Prince‘s Trust Charity Shoot ......... 18 Gundog Insurance Package ......... 19

A MESSAGE FROM LYALL PLANT As the shooting and hunting seasons come to an end for another year, we now look forward to the fishing season. Over the last twelve months the recession has continued to take its grip on our society; everyone is affected and as a responsible organisation we continue to ensure that our members‘ subscriptions are used for the benefit of all our members. We have maintained our fees for the second year running to ensure that our members are not further hit by additional costs that seem to be arising in other areas of our society.

Target Clubs and Ranges. The Firearms Consultative Panel has continued to represent all shooting disciplines and we envisage that our lobbying will have a positive outcome.

We are pleased to announce our new Family membership category, which will be officially launched at the BASC Game Fair at Ballywalter on 2nd & 3rd May 2009. In these times of economic pressure, this new membership category presents an ideal opportunity for young sporting families to enjoy all the benefits of Countryside Alliance Ireland membership (including insurance cover for participation in recognised activities) at an affordable price.

We attended a Red Grouse Workshop at Greenmount campus on the 18th March. Many presentations were given with an excellent talk from Ian Glendinning, Chairman of the Lough Fea Grouse Conservation Trust. This Trust has been in existence for the last 12 years and during this time they have actively restored 300 ha of heather for Red Grouse. This is an example of how country sports people have worked to create and maintain a suitable habitat for future generations of these game birds. The workshop demonstrated that much more work and cohesion is needed to ensure that Red Grouse can survive in the future.

This new Family category will cover two adults and an unlimited number of their children, up to the age of 17 years, all living at the one address. Please note, to maintain valid insurance cover, children over 17 years old should take out a Concessionary membership. We are working hard to secure additional benefits for members and I am delighted to inform you that we have secured a premier gun dog insurance package which we are launching in this issue of our newsletter (see page 19 for details). This is in partnership with John Clare and Associates Ltd, trading as Mortgage Minders. As well as the gun dog package, members may also wish to receive quotes for house, car and life insurance, pension schemes and mortgage advice. We have been proactive with Bill Beckett and Derek Lutton the organisers of the Moira and Ballinlough Castle Game Fairs and we have been able to secure a reduction in entrance fees for our members who wish to attend these events. Members wishing to take advantage of this discount should contact our offices and advance book your tickets now. Full details of the discounts will also be placed on our website at www.caireland.org (see page 12) . We still await the publication of the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill that will bring into force sections of the Criminal Justice Bill affecting

NI office:

We were very disappointed at the passing of a motion at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Dublin to ―Ban all Blood Sports‖ including Fox Hunting and Hare Coursing. We have written to Sinn Féin deploring this stance and have been proactive throughout Ireland to get a motion raised at the next Ard Fheis reversing this policy. With the European elections on the horizon this is an ideal opportunity for our members to lobby their Sinn Féin candidates on this emotive issue. In Northern Ireland lead shot will be banned on wetlands when shooting wildfowl. This ban will come into effect from the 1st September 2009 and will be Province wide and not species or site specific. Over the past few months we have been deeply involved with the Department on the formulation of these guidelines and they are now nearing completion. We will be publishing these guidelines and making them available to all our membership North and South.

A cry for help has come from our Anglers asking the Minister, Brendan Smith, not to issue licences for fish farms in the West of Ireland. During the last recession, licences were issued to try and increase employment but had the adverse effect of decimating salmon stocks, increasing lice infestation and this in turn destroyed the angling tourist industry in the area. An on line petition is available for you to show your support on this and we urge all our members to go online and sign the petition now - www.caireland.org FACE‘s Manifesto for the forthcoming European elections is ready and will be sent out to all Parties and potential candidates. We hope that they will adopt their stance and support our countryside, our heritage and our way of life. We urge you to remind your local candidates the importance of country sports and the benefits they bring to the economy. In closing, I would like to thank you all for your continued support and I look forward to meeting many of you at the Game Fairs throughout the summer.

Countryside Alliance Ireland, The Courtyard, Larchfield Estate, Balliesmills Road, Lisburn, County Down, BT27 6XJ Tel: 028 9263 9911 Fax: 028 9263 9922 Email: info@caireland.org Web: www.caireland.org

RoI Office:

Countryside Alliance Ireland, Courtlough Shooting Grounds, Courtlough, Balbriggan, Co Dublin Tel: 01 6903610 and select the relevant option Fax: 048 9263 9922 Email: info@caireland.org Web: www.caireland.org

Presidents:

Northern Ireland—Mr Bert Carlisle, Vice President: The Lord Dunleath Republic of Ireland—Lord Waterford

Chairman:

Mr Paul Cran, Vice Chairman: Mr John Clarke

Board Members:

Mr Simon Hart, Mr Richard Johnson, Mr John McBride, Lord Meath, Mr Johnny Vance,

Chief Executive:

Mr Lyall Plant, General Manager: Mrs Ashley Graham, Membership Administration: Mrs Liz Brown and Mr David Agnew

CASTING FOR RECOVERY—IRISH RETREATS FOR 2009

reast cancer fly fishing charity Casting for Recovery will be holding not one but two weekend retreats in Ireland in 2009. Having held a phenomenally successful weekend at Brookhall Trout Fishery near Lisburn last Autumn we will be trying to emulate that success by returning to Brookhall t his September. Added to this return to Northern Ireland we are looking forward to holding our first event in the Republic, scheduled to take place at Mount Falcon in Co Mayo in June. Casting for Recovery is a unique outdoor-based programme specifically designed for women who have, or have had, breast cancer. It provides fly fishing programmes at idyllic retreats around the UK and Ireland and has already had a positive effect on the 60 women who have taken part in one of the five retreats held so far. Any woman who has experienced breast cancer is eligible to apply to attend a retreat (with medical clearance from their doctor). Retreats take place over two-and-a-half days and all accommodation, meals, counselling, and professional instruction are provided at no cost to participants due to the financial backing of Countryside Alliance Ireland.

from it all is a huge privilege and a great way of breaking down any perceived ―town vs. country‖ barriers. Ladies can apply to attend a retreat by visiting www.castingforrecovery.org.uk and filling in an online form. Places are allocated by ballot and are subject to medical clearance. The Mount Falcon retreat will be held from 10-12 June whilst we will be back at Brookhall from 18-20 September.

Trained female medical staff and fly fishing instructors are on hand at all times and the fishing tackle and appropriate clothing is provided by Orvis UK. Fly fishing offers proven benefits for recovering breast cancer patients. The casting action provides the gentle exercise recommended by physiotherapists for joint and soft tissue mobility. Fly fishing also offers participants a chance to reflect and escape in tranquil surroundings. Casting for Recovery was founded in the United States in 1996 and has since helped over 3,000 breast cancer survivors. The ethos of Casting for Recovery is to bring ladies together to relax, learn a new skill and meet others with whom they have a shared experience of breast cancer. It is also a chance to enjoy the beauty of the countryside. Many of the lady participants come from urban areas and don‘t have the same access to the countryside that our rural communities enjoy, so to give them the opportunity to spend a weekend getting away

NATIONAL COURSING MEETING DEFIED ARTIC CONDITIONS

he 2009 National Coursing Meeting at Clonmel defied the worst efforts of the severe winter weather to conclude successfully on Wednesday afternoon, Feb 4th. Tremendous credit is due to all involved with the organisation and running of this meeting. Particular praise must go to the ground staff and local committee who laboured from early on Monday and Tuesday mornings to ensure that the running ground was in the best possible condition for coursing. The hares were a mighty lot and appeared to revel in the arctic conditions. New Irish Coursing Club Secretary D.J Histon together with the local committee had made a number of improvements to the hare enclosures and to the husbandry of the hares in general and it certainly paid dividends. Shocks were a feature of all four main events and victories in the end went to Wexford, Galway, Dublin and Tipperary owned runners. Kingsmill Dynamo (25/1 long odds) owned by the Roche & Fitzpatrick Syndicate and trained by Aidan Roche in Wexford won the Boylesports.com Derby defeating Colina Damask, the property of Jimmy O‘Flaherty, Galway in the final. There was an all-Galway decider to the Hotel Minella Oaks and after a thrilling final the honours went to Fortuna (66/1 long odds), owned by Brigid Frank, Loughrea and trained by Charlie Faul. The runner-up Whimsical Lady is owned by Bernadette Diskin, Kilcolgan and Basil Holian, Athenry and trained by Gerry Holian. Catunda Ashmore, the property of Paddy Byrne from Beaumont in Dublin and trained by Owen McKenna won the Classics Club Champion Stakes and the Don Commons, Thurles owned and trained Galway Star won the Grace Bruton Champion Bitch Stake. There were joyous scenes immediately after the finals and again in the parade ring for the presentations of the trophies. Many of the connections were realising a lifelong dream of owning a winner at Clonmel. Photo: John D Kelly (Clonmel)

FULL HOUSE AT THE IRISH CUP

full house witnessed some brilliant coursing on the final day of the JP McManus Irish Cup meeting at Patrickswell, Limerick.

Indeed the crowds on all three days of this meeting (Fri 27th Feb, Sat 28th Feb and Sun 1st Mar) were the biggest in the six years since this ‗end of season‘ classic moved to Limerick Racecourse. A brace of nerve-tingling semi-finals in the Irish Cup had the huge crowd agog with excitement and paved the way for one of the most eagerly awaited finals for many years. However Sandy Sea took the decisive first turn by three lengths for owner Patsy Byrne, of Duagh, Co Kerry and Surrey, England. It was a second consecutive Irish Cup for Patsy and his third in five years. Even more remarkably it was a sixth Irish Cup for veteran Tralee trainer Pa Fitzgerald. Pa is by any yardstick, the ageless wonder of the greyhound game because he sent out Philandros to win a Kingdom Cup at Ballybeggan Park, Tralee away back in December 1948!. Johnny Casanova, owned by the Jammy Dodger Syndicate, Dromina, Co Cork and trained by Michael O‘Donovan was the gamble of the meeting, finishing a very short 4/1 before coursing got underway on 4

Friday morning. Victory for Johnny would have cleaned out the bookmakers so understandably they were delighted to see him fill the runner-up berth on this occasion. The Select Champion Bitch Stake went to Ougham Pet, owned jointly by Wantage, UK based John Busnell and John Lester and trained in Roscrea, Co Tipperary by Pat Lee. In the final she led Oilean Dreamer, the property of Gerry Meehan, Kiskeam, Co Cork. Photo: Y Harrington

BASC GAME FAIR (BALLYWALTER) 2009 visitors to the BASC Northern Ireland Game Fair some top tips this May. The Association of Professional Game Angling Instructors (APGAI) Ireland have agreed to get involved with the game fair at Ballywalter Park in County Down on 2-3 May. APGAI will be running a series of workshops on fly-tying, material and tools, entomology (fly and bug life), tackle and knots, fish life cycle and pike fishing. There will also be fly and bait casting clinics and a well-stocked fishing merchandise pavilion. This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to take up fly fishing or improve their game angling and fly-casting skills. There will also be various distance and accuracy competitions for those keen to demonstrate their skills and win a top prize.

his year‘s BASC NI Game Fair will focus on the very best of shooting, hunting and fishing, with a large amount of local input. It will be a real opportunity to get back to basics and celebrate the best of country sports. Unlike any other game or country fair in the Province, the Northern Ireland Game Fair belongs to BASC‘s own members. It is the first Game Fair of the season and against the backdrop of a difficult financial climate, it is an important opportunity for the shooting community to showcase the substantial financial contribution which country sports make to our local economy. Being mindful of the credit crunch, this year‘s Fair will represent real value for money for all our sporting interests and sponsors have stepped up to the mark with a bigger range of prizes available to all categories and classes than ever before. For 2009, we want to demonstrate that investment in country sports produces excellence - in shooting skills, dog handling, fishing, land management and conservation, not to mention sustaining over 2,000 full time jobs in the NI economy. MAJOR CLAY SHOOTING COMPETITION

WORKING DOGS Working dogs will be in action over the two days of the Fair. Saturday will see the spaniels and their handlers showcase their talents, under the auspices of the Antrim & Down Springer Spaniel Club. There will be Open & Novice categories, a Puppy Test and a Scurry, open to all dogs. The 2009 Dog & Gun Challenge is offering £150 for the top team and £100 for the winning individual. Sunday will be the turn of the retrievers to demonstrate their skills. The Ulster Gundog League will be hosting an Open and Novice competition with top cash prizes on offer. Bags of feed will also be awarded to winners and runners up in all the dog competitions provided by our sponsors, Chudleys. The National Lurcher and Racing Club will once again be in attendance, with a full programme of racing and showing. Full details of competitions and prizes will be available on the website www.bascgamefairs.org.uk The main arena will feature the very best of local talent, including falconry, working dogs, horses, hounds, wildfowling, fishing and more! There will be Game Cookery displays illustrating the diversity of game and its nutritional value, and there also will be opportunities to taste! As always, there will be a range of trade stands offering to supply all your clothing, equipment and training supplies. The Fair has many loyal traders from both the Province and across the water and P&O ferries have already offered sponsorship to ensure we bring some excellent new traders. There will be plenty on offer and bargains are likely to be available like never before! It is an important year in which to show solidarity as a sport, so we hope country sports enthusiasts will attend with friends and families and help get the show season off to a flier. Amanda McCallion BASC

Top shots from across the UK will be competing win a major clay shooting competition at the Fair. This year‘s competition, sponsored by Field of Dreams and D McCloy of Guns Unlimited, is offering five high-grade shotguns as part of the prize pot. The winner of the Game Fair 2-day Challenge will take home the top prize; a 12 bore Beretta Multichoke White Onyx Sporter worth £1600. Over the two days of the Fair there will be a clay competition to suit all skill levels with excellent cash prizes in all categories as well as the prize guns. The Ballycranmore and Kirckcubbin Clay Pigeon Club will organise and run the clay competition. The Club deserve full recognition for their hard work in setting up previous game fair competitions. The club‘s efforts will ensure a wide range of targets to suit both the experienced and the novice shooter alike. Some of the best angling instructors in Ireland will be on hand to give 5

NATIONAL COUNTRYSPORTS FAIR—MOIRA DEMESNE

ollowing the success of the National Countrysports Fair (NCF) last May when over 20,000 enthusiasts from Ireland and the UK enjoyed two days of country relat ed disp lays , d emon stra tions, championships exhibitions and features, the show organisers have completed their preparations for the 2009 NCF which will be another great showcase for country sports at Moira Demesne on 23 & 24 May.

and participants from all parts of the country. A large part of its attraction is its emphasis on quality events that appeal to the country sports enthusiasts and their families. Events that they can enjoy watch and participate in. With over 200 trade stands booked for the

event, visitors to Moira Demesne will not be disappointed at the variety of exhibits and stands this year. Fisherman‘s Row and Shooter‘s Row are filled with guns and shooting equipment, fishing tackle and

Mews with its range of birds of prey and falconry training equipment and accessories. The presence of the West Down Beagles, Sunnyland Beagles and the Killultagh Hunt will bring colour and tradition to the proceedings as they display over the two days of the event and the Sunnyland Beagles will stage a static exhibit at the Countryside Alliance Ireland stand. The main arena at the NCF has a rich tradition of originality, entertainment, family fun and education. This year‘s demonstrations will not disappoint and includes fly casting from the Association of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors (APGAI), the ever popular gundog handling demonstrations with Tim Crothers and Noel Doran and their teams of

With its numerous free, on-site car parks, magnificent grounds and its close proximity to motorways and ports, Moira Demesne, which is owned and managed by Lisburn City Council is the perfect setting for this the fourteenth annual NCF. While the National Countrysports Fair caterers for all tastes in rural life, country sports remain at the heart of this two-day festival which is now internationally renowned for hosting famous national and international displays, championships and competitions in shooting fishing and gundogs. These events and the allied displays and exhibitions encompass all country sports activities from angling to archery, gundogs to game rearing, falconry to ferreting and much more besides.

equipment from top manufacturers, gundog training equipment, pigeon decoying gear, hunting knives, country clothing, boots and country footwear to walking sticks and wellingtons! New this year is the Gundog Area where dog food manufacturers rub shoulders with retailers of gundog equipment, kennel systems and dog trailers‘

Irish gundog handlers, the Internationally renowned Phoenix Falconry Display Team from Perthshire, carriage driving with the Miniature Pony Club of Ireland, from Loch Lomond the Drakes of Hazard, the amusing sheepdog and duck herding demonstration and to round things off the amazing air display featuring the breath-taking wing walkers from Team Guinot and their 1940‘s Boeing Stearman biplanes. The NCF is the Mecca for Irish gundogs and the All Ireland International Gundog Challenge is just one of the weekend‘s events that will enthral the handlers and spectators alike.

While other events appear to be flagging, the National Countrysports Fair continues to attract ever increasing numbers of visitors

This year‘s static displays include taxidermy, deer management, hunting & hounds, miniature ponies, game rearing and wildfowling, sheepdogs and a children‘s farm and, of course the ever popular Falconry

Teams of six International retriever and six International spaniel handlers from The Irish Republic and Northern Ireland will compete "home and away" with the aggregate scores deciding which team

NATIONAL COUNTRYSPORTS FAIR—MOIRA DEMESNE becomes the All Ireland Challenge winners. Selections will be held North and South to determine the team members and it will be the same team members competing at both country fairs. The competition itself will be in the form of a "mixed pairs event" meaning that a spaniel

spaniel handler. The aggregate scores of the teams will determine the all-Ireland winners at the Irish National Country Fair at Ballinlough Castle in July. For spaniels and retrievers there will be the National Spaniel Working Tests for open dogs and the National Retriever Working Test for Novice and Open retrievers. More information on all the gundog events can be had from the events website www.gamefairireland.com. Terrier and lurcher events will be hosted by Gilford Terrier Club with events on both days.

handler and a retriever handler from each country will work as a pair, rather like on a typical shooting day where the spaniel will quarter and flush and the retriever retrieve. Three International Judges will officiate and the day's competition will have continuous commentary from respected gundog commentators. At each of the fairs there will be prizes for the top team of retrievers, top team of spaniels, top retriever handler and top

Foymore Lodge Country Pursuits will coordinate the shooting events at Moira Demesne and these will include a 40 bird sporting clay shoot, a have-a-go shotgun shooting event, target and field air rifle shooting and archery. All these competitions are open to the public.

foods. The Crafts Village houses some twenty-five Irish crafters whose product range reflects Irish craft traditions. Live music will also feature with pipe bands, Clann An Drumma from Scotland and the outstanding Blues Brothers Tribute Band in the public dining area. Entry to the National Countrysports Fair is £10 for adults and £3 for children under sixteen years. Under 5s are free and a family ticket which admits two adults and up to four children is £25. The NCF runs from 09:00 until 18:00 each day. Discounted ferry travel is available from Cairnryan in Scotland and Birkenhead in Merseyside. Discounted accommodation is also available in local hotels and B&Bs. Organisers can be contacted on 028 38 338873 and 028 44 832775

Over and beyond the major country sports exhibitions and competitions, visitors to the National Countrysports Fair will have the opportunity to enjoy other country related activities and features which have become so much a part of this premier country fair. The very popular Food Village with over thirty producers attending will have a strong emphasis on local and regionally produced

BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW FOR THE CLA southwards to the Vale of Belvoir and a three star hotel which will be the base for the weekend. Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July will be spent at the game fair with the coach returning via Cairnryan late on Sunday evening.

f you want a hassle free trip to the CLA Game Fair at Belvoir Castle in July then why not join the coach trip being organised by Country Image? For the last fifteen years they have organised coach trips from Co. Armagh to this prestigious Game Fair in England. This year the luxury coach leaves Lurgan on Friday 24 July for the short ferry crossing to Cairnryan and then

The full price for the trip, including all coach and ferry travel plus two nights dinner and B&B in the hotel is just £225 per person. This price is based on two adults sharing. There is a £12 supplement per night for a single room. Places are filling up fast so if you would like to experience Europe‘s largest game fair first hand simply call the organisers on 028 44 832775 or 07771 576757. 7

THE GREAT GAME FAIRS OF IRELAND

he team behind the Great Game Fairs of Ireland to be staged at Shanes Castle Antrim on the 27th & 28th June and Birr Castle, Co Offaly on the 22nd & 23rd August 2009 are to take a look backward on the tradition they started in 1978 and its contribution to Irish country sports over 30 plus years. However, at the same time they will focus on further development of their aspirations to deliver two international class Irish Game Fairs. Looking back over Thirty Plus Years of Irish Game Fairs – to celebrate the unique achievement of launching a sustainable Game Fair concept in Ireland in 1978 and in delivering successful and award winning Game Fairs for over 30 years, the team from the Great Game Fairs of Ireland is publishing a book chronicling the history and development of the event; memories of famous sportsmen, exhibitors and characters who graced the fair; memories and photographs of those who attended and the overall contribution that these fairs have made to the development of country sports in Ireland.

country sports and the Irish countryside, it has always been a source of frustration with him that no Irish Game or Country Fair has reached truly international status or even the size and stature of some of the provincial UK fairs. Of course, when objectively assessed by tourism and marketing professionals, the Fair has won several national and international tourism awards including the highly prized NITB Marketing Excellence Award ( see www.irishgamefair.com/ award.asp) however Albert has always felt that Ireland North & South should host truly international class fairs. Thus when the Fair at Emo collapsed Albert saw the opportunity to almost literally put together an all Ireland ‗dream team‘ of experienced event organisers to launch a new Game Fair at Birr and a new brand with international potential and aspirations -The Great Game Fairs of Ireland. The first stage of the development of the brand was achieved very successfully in 2007 with high profile launches which received heavyweight political support from Dr Ian Paisley at Stormont and Brian Cowen at Birr. This was followed in 2008 by the launch of All

The CAI, and its forerunner the British Field Sports Society, have played a major role in the start of the first sustainable Game Fair at Clandeboye in 1979. BFSS Chairman Major William Brownlow and Secretary Stanley Scott were part of the founding team and John Beach (Secretary and then Regional Chairman of BFSS/CAI) played a major role in the Fair‘s development. Over the years substantial sums of money were ploughed back into the BFSS and many other organisations to help develop these organisations and sports to where they are today. Before the founding of fair the BFSS /CAI organisation was staffed by volunteers and one part-timer; the BASC had no permanent staff in NI, membership of both organisations was negligible; and competitions/demonstrations which are now widespread such as gundog tests; fly casting competitions; falconry displays; terrier and lurcher shows & racing etc were rare or very much in their infancy. It is no exaggeration to state that the Game Fair launched at Clandeboye in 1979 has played a vital part in the promotion and defence of country sports in Ireland and has been the catalyst if not the vehicle for many of the major developments of many of the major organisations. . The publishers of this book, (which apart from chronicling the development of the Fairs) will provide an important historical record of the development of country sports in Ireland and especially Northern Ireland and are keen to put together as wide an archive of material as possible. So if you have any photographs or memories of the Fairs at Clandeboye, Shanes, Ballywalter, Loughanmore or Birr that you would be prepared to share – we would like to hear from you. Contact : Albert Titterington Tel : 028 4483 9167 or E: irishcountrylifestyle@btinternet.com Looking forward with international aspirations While Albert Titterington and his team can be justly proud of having started an event which has had such an important impact on Irish 8

Ireland Game Fair Championships in Clay Shooting, Gundog Handling and Fly Casting which attracted an unheard of prize fund in Ireland of c€80,000 and a superb field of all Ireland and international competitors. Also in 2008 the two Fairs attracted media sponsorship from mainstream media in both parts of Ireland i.e. The Belfast Telegraph and the Farmers Journal. For 2009 these championships have been further developed and joined by new prestigious All Ireland Game Fair Novice/Amateur Championships in the same sports but with more of a‗ have a go‘ focus. The organisers are delighted to announce that the relatively new Great Game Fairs of Ireland brand has been enhanced by Barbour, probably the most recognised country lifestyle brand in the world, sponsoring these new championships. These will have heats at Shanes and Birr with the finals at Birr. The All Comers Championships will have heats and finals at Shanes in Gundog handling and clay shooting and casting heats at Shanes and Birr and the final at Birr. Shanes will also host the 21st Annual All Ireland Terrier & Lurcher Championships and Barbour have also stepped in to assist Irish Countrysports and Country Life in the

THE GREAT GAME FAIRS OF IRELAND sponsorship of this very special celebration. Of course Game Fairs are not just about international class competitions but also about placing country sports firmly at the heart of care and concern for the countryside and the rural way of life and providing a good day out in the country for the whole family. Amongst the many facets of the fair that are designed to not only entertain but to educate the family audience are the range of displays, demonstrations and exhibits including huge tented villages of top class country sports and lifestyle products; superb main arena programmes; educational displays by all the main sporting bodies; the medieval villages; the dedicated childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s areas and new for 2009, the Eco Villages where one can buy into a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. History made and history to be made The Irish Game Fair tradition is already part of Irish rural and country sports history and all country sports people are invited to submit material to help produce an accurate book chronicling the development of this institution. However, Albert thinks the best could be yet to come and invites all Irish country sports enthusiasts to get involved this year as a competitor, exhibitor, sponsor or spectator in developing the international status of the Great Game Fairs of Ireland. Further information on the book and the 2009 Fairs is available on www.countrysportsandcountrylife.com and www.irishgamefair.com and www.irishgameandcountryfair.com or Tel: 028 ( from ROI 048) 4483 9167

- LEAD SHOT GUIDANCE LEAFLETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE GAME FAIRS -

ALL NEW COUNTRY FAIR FOR WESTMEATH

ountryside Alliance Ireland is delighted to be playing a lead role at the Irish National Country Fair which will be held in the magnificent grounds of Ballinlough Castle, near Clonmellon, Co. Westmeath over the weekend of 18 & 19 July 2009.

augmented by others offering a range of country goods not readily available in Ireland. From fishing boats to flies, shotguns to shooting bags, dog leads to decoys, cartridges to clay traps and cammo coats to country casuals, all will be there!

It is fitting that, as the Nugent family celebrate 400 years of the

Gundogs at Ballinlough Gundogs will feature greatly at Ballinlough Castle with the Working Spaniel Club of Ireland and the Mohill Gun Club from Co.

family‘s history at Ballinlough Castle, they welcome this all-new country fair to their home. Ballinlough owners, Nicholas and Alice Nugent, are reported to be delighted with the organiser‘s decision to locate the National Country Fair at Ballinlough which they see as an ideal venue for what should prove to be the premier Irish country event. A sister event to the hugely successful National Countrysports Fair in Northern Ireland, this new country fair comes with a pedigree and an experienced management team which has been augmented by key players from the country sports community in the Irish Midlands. Demand on trade space is great with more than sixty traders from Northern Ireland and GB having already booked for what they see as a significant and positive move for rural sports in Ireland and an excellent business opportunity. This is on top of the significant number of Irish exhibitors representing a wide range of

DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR CAI MEMBERS WHEN BOOKED THROUGH OUR OFFICES sports in Ireland who have also booked space for the inaugural show. While the event organisers, Bill Beckett and Derek Lutton, have years of experience running country fairs in Northern Ireland and their knowledge of the game fair scene in GB and Europe is immense, they are keen to point out that this will not simply be a carbon copy of the NI event. Distinct Irish Identity Commenting on this, Derek Lutton said, “This part of Ireland has a long and rich tradition in country sports and we aim to bring much of that to Ballinlough Castle. By working with local fishing and shooting clubs, hunts, country sports organisations and traders, this event will have its own identity.” He went on to say “Clearly we will make use of the contacts made in over a decade of running our country fair in Northern Ireland and visiting the major events in GB, but there will also be a very Irish feel to this event” Local gun and tackle retailers will feature prominently in the themed rows such as Gun Dealer‘s and Fisherman‘s Rows and they will be 10

Leitrim running the spaniel and retriever working tests respectively, lively and well organised working tests are guaranteed. The lough at Ballinlough Castle is the perfect setting for what should prove to be some of the best attended gundog events of the year. Novice and advanced tests for spaniels and retrievers will be held on Sunday 19 July with application forms available on-line from the fair website www.irishcountryfair.com or from the organising clubs. The wonderful amphitheatre created by the lough at Ballinlough Castle is also the setting on Saturday 18 July for the second round of the All Ireland International Gundog Challenge, the first round between teams of retrievers and spaniels representing the Republic and Northern Ireland having been staged at the National Countrysports Fair at Moira Demesne in May. With top international handlers like Mick Walsh and Ronnie Farrelly as Irish team managers going up against NI team managers, Tim Crothers and Nigel Carvel, the competition is sure to be stiff. A special section of the fair will be dedicated to working gundogs and here dog training equipment, mats, beds, leads, trailers, dog runs and kennels will be available and Irish Kennel Club representatives will be available to meet gundog handlers.

ALL NEW GAME FAIR FOR WESTMEATH Other Attractions

boats will also be on show and for demonstration on the lough.

Local clubs will organise the clay pigeon shooting at Ballinlough which will include a forty bird sporting shoot, pool trap and a try-gun. Fibre wad cartridges must be used at these events. Car parking for clay shooters is adjacent to the clay shoot and just five minute‘s walk from the main fair site.

The terrier and lurcher racing and showing will be held on Sunday 19 July commencing at 10:30 a.m. Information on the various classes is available from the fair‘s website.

The lough is also the setting for the fishing competitions which will include fly distance and accuracy casting and bait casting. Members of the Association of Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors (APGAI) will organise fly casting demonstrations and a fly dressing master class on their stand. Rigid and portable

Top Class Main Arena Acts One of the major benefits of twinning with an established event is the access to international class demonstrations which comes through years of working in the genre of game and country fairs. Event CoDirector, Bill Beckett explains. ―The main arena events are important as educational tools and for providing entertainment for the public. Marrying both together is a skill often overlooked by other event organisers. At Ballinlough Castle visitors will see some world class demonstrations. Most are country related with maybe one or two just there for the sheer thrill and to entertain the children‖ He further explained; ―Europe‘s top team of falconers will travel from Perthshire to Ballinlough, they have never performed in the Irish Republic before but are a major attraction at our sister event in Moira. Their birds not only fly in the main arena, which cannot be said for all demonstration birds, but they entertain through interactive contact with children and adults alike. The Knights of the Damned, whilst strictly not connected with country sports are, none the less a superb team of stunt men and women depicting medieval jousting on horseback. Their display is spectacular, the music awe-inspiring and the stunts amazing!‖

Mr Beckett went on to explain that there will be gundog demonstrations in the main arena along with a very special sheepdog herding demonstration from Loch Lomond in Scotland. The twist to this is that the dogs will herd ducks and not sheep! Add this to carriage driving, side saddle riding, horses and hounds and live music and the show‘s main arena will be a very popular location for visitors. A Family Event This is very much a family event and each member of the family will find something to do, watch and buy. The National Country Fair will host a Food Village with local food producers offering a range of regional and continental foods ranging from game, meats and poultry, organic vegetables, Irish breads, cheeses, liquors and confectionery to Mediterranean olives and sun dried tomatoes, Italian breads, Greek and Asian food, French crêpes and continental ice creams. The crafts village will house stick dressers, fly tiers, coracle builders, wood turners, spinners, potters, jewellery, woollens and hats and a host of other local products. 11

ALL NEW COUNTRY FAIR FOR WESTMEATH The Irish National Country Fair is shaping up to be a very large event but organisers are confident their traffic management arrangements, signage and car parking arrangements are adequate for the event. Car parking is free and on-site. There are forward car parks for exhibitors and guests. Gundog, terrier and lurcher and clay shooting competitors should enter via the designated gate and then will be directed to car parks close to the respective events. Early arrivals will benefit from being directed into forward public car parking areas.

Countryside Alliance Ireland Members Ticket Prices

*************************************** Moira Game Fair

Ballinlough Castle is located on the N52, between the villages of Delvin and Clonmellon.

Adult £7.50 saving of £2.50

Entry to the National Country Fair is €15 for adults and €5 for children under 16. Under 5s are free. Family tickets are €38 and admit two adults and up to four children.

Family Ticket £23 saving of £2.00

More information can be had from the fair website www.irishcountryfair.com or from the organisers on +44 (0) 28 38338875 or +44(0) 28 44 832775.

Under 5’s are Free

* Applications for discounted tickets for Moira must be received at our office by the 15th May 2009

*************************************** Ballinlough Castle Game Fair Adult €12.50 saving of €2.50 Under 5’s are Free Family Ticket €35 saving of €3.00 * Applications for discounted tickets for Ballinlough Castle must be received at our office by the 9th July 2009

BEAGLING UPDATE BY LIZ BROWN

adly this spring has again seen the withholding of the March licence for hare hunting in the Republic of Ireland. Whilst some beagle packs would ordinarily cease hunting at end of February, the majority of packs would choose to hunt at least until St. Patrick‘s Day, so the lost opportunity for hounds to work and their followers to enjoy their sport is regrettable. However, with the field sportsman‘s eternal optimism, beaglers put such disappointment behind them and turn their thoughts to the future, preparing their packs for next season & beyond. New litters will be whelped and Masters and Huntsmen will be carefully monitoring the pups‘ development through the summer months to see if their careful planning in the selection of dam and sire will produce the desired size, type and temperament of hound. It is very difficult to predict the outcome of a mating of beagles. Fortunate indeed is the Master who can produce a level litter of the desired type of hound. However, one Master‘s disappointment may be another‘s good fortune, as a Master with a young hound which is too large or too small for his pack will seek to draft it to another pack whose country requires beagles of that stature.

conformation by visiting masters from another pack. Puppy-Walkers who might be disappointed that their charge is not placed first in the beauty stakes take solace from the knowledge that the best hunter is seldom the best looker in the pack. Next in the hunt calendar come the regional and National Hound Shows, with their classes for both unentered and entered hounds (i.e. hounds which have already hunted a full season). Regional shows will be held in Counties Cork and Armagh during June, giving hounds valuable practice in the public show-ring prior to the National Championships. This year the IMBA National Show will again be held at Stradbally, in conjunction with the IMFHA National Show, on Sunday July 5th. Visitors to these shows will see the best of Irish hunting hounds on display and have the chance to chat with beagling enthusiasts from all parts of Ireland.

Simultaneously, last year‘s pups, now sufficiently matured to be kennelled with the older hounds, will be coming back to the kennels from walk. For the next few months these hounds are eligible to be shown as ―unentered‖ in this summer‘s hound shows – i.e. not yet fully integrated into the working pack, but which will be ready to start hunting next season. Many packs will have a Puppy Show at which these unentered hounds will make their first official appearance, to be admired by hunt members and guests, and judged on

NEWS FROM LUSK PHEASANT CLUB

he committee of Lusk Pheasant Club would like to welcome new members. There are a few places available for the 2009/10 season and applications are now being accepted. It would be desirable that new persons applying to join our club reside in the Skerries, Rush or Lusk areas. This means that you will be able to carry out the full work party duties required as part of your membership. Lusk Pheasant Club is very proactive in conservation and has a full game bird rearing programme and maintains all habitats to the highest of standards. We have excellent relationships with all landowners and as members of Countryside Alliance Ireland we can carry out our recognised activities with the knowledge that they are fully protected and that all our members have full insurance cover. Over the past few years Lusk Pheasant Club has provided its membership with exceptional shooting and everyone has had the opportunity to enjoy wonderful days game shooting. The closing date for applications to join Lusk Pheasant Club is the 10th of May 2009. Do Not miss out on this opportunity to join one of the best run gun clubs in the country. Applications forms may be obtained by contacting the Chairman Mr Francis Knott. Article by Francis Knott

STRUGGLING WITH A SENSE OF LOSS BY ALAN BROWN

ave you e v e r noticed how many peop le wear thick, warm and expensive camouflage or tweed overcoats during the height of the Irish summer? I frequently drive past lumbering sweating camo-ed up masses struggling along, perspiration dripping from the end of their noses and fingertips in 20+ degrees heat. They usually have a gundog lead in one hand and a dummy or two in the other. They look immensely uncomfortable, and tend to go out in the morning or evening in order to minimise the dehydration and heat exhaustion, which would otherwise be a problem. But they always wear the jacket. The average punter is taking their life in their hands if they decide to stop and have a conversation with them, for there is every chance they will take the opportunity to remove the jacket and, well, let their juices flow. The sweat stained garments under the jacket should carry a government health warning as the noxious gasses released have the potential to induce asthma attacks. I have also noticed that the ―Out-of-seasonCamo-jacket Syndrome‖ tends to spread rapidly when put in close proximity to Game Fairs. So how is it induced? I for one have a fair degree of sympathy of those afflicted with this conviction, and I too am an occasional sufferer. It is brought on, at least in part from the temporary but prolonged removal of the shooting enthusiast from their natural habitat, that being the frosty, snowy and stormy Irish winter hunting grounds. It is an expression of a desire to hold on firmly to what we hold dear; and kind of grieving process where we retain our preferred identity by wearing our natural plumage. We seek solace in other grieving creatures at summer gatherings such as clay shoots, gundog working tests and Game Fairs. They are capable of raising a variety of emotions in me, from sympathy to sadness. But they always look close to heat stroke. If you, like me can sympathise with the feelings and emotions which lead to the donning of out of season camouflage clothing, you will be pleased to know that I feel that they can be suppressed through other shooting related activities which do not involve producing noxious under-arm gases.

I have already mentioned, albeit briefly, the faithful follower and priceless companion of the shooting man – the gun dog. All winter they strive and toil -diving into icy cold loughs and streams; running themselves ragged to flush and return to hand our quarry. Then comes the 31st January and it stops. The boundless reserves of energy built up through persistent outings through the winter months suddenly have no release. They have no way to expend the energy we still shovel into them daily. The dogs get bored, fat and lazy. The kids start throwing Frisbees, dummies and balls for them and they pick up bad habits. Is it fair that we then expect them to pick up where they left off when the 1st September comes around. No doubt by now you can see where I am going with this one- keep the dog in some sort of shape. Not just physically mind, but mentally too. I have ruined almost every gundog I have ever owned, and so I am very aware that I am the last person who should be offering advice, but at least I feel I know a fair bit about the pitfalls as I fallen into them on many occasions. The number one piece of advice that I could give (although I realised it too late for myself) is that the dog owner must be oh-so-careful not to let your dog out ―just for a run.‖ Letting your dog(s) barrel out of the kennel and charge around like migrating wildebeests for 10 minutes teaches your dog untold bad habits. Think about it, because I didn‘t. The dog learns that when it can do whatever it wants until it is tired, then it will obey. It learns that on release from anything (the pen, the car, the dog trailer) it is free to charge at will. Not really what is desirable on the first big day of the seasons. Dogs should be under your control and obeying your commands at all times, ESPECIALLY when they are just released and are full of pent-up energy. (I really wish I would listen to my own advice. Anyone who knows me and my dogs will be laughing heartily by now.) The wise gundog owner will use these months to hone and refresh their dog‘s repertoire of tricks. Sadly, many gundogs peak at around 18 months old when their owners categorise them as ―trained,‖ and cease all training activity. For life. I won‘t go into specifics about what exactly you should be working on with your dog, as it is likely to be slightly different in each case, but I think it good sense to address whatever problems that are present rather than stick your head in the sand and pretend they are not there. Believe me when I say that you will be glad of it next season.

The dog‘s medical health should be assessed too – keep the dog at a healthy weight by cutting back his food in the summer, and ensure vaccinations are up to date. But back to our sweaty camo-clad compatriots. Working on the dog may go some way to assist with their mental state of health but what if they are shooting men rather than doggy men? Well, thankfully the little fluorescent orange clay disc can be of great assistance. I speak of course of the clay pigeon. This remarkable little device when coupled with clay pigeon trap can provide endless hours of fun for the winter-pining shooting man during T-shirt weather. And it will improve your technique too. On many days during the winter, I may only shoot half a dozen cartridges in an entire walked up day. Compare that to an hour or two on a clay range where one hundred cartridges disappear with staggering speed. The repetition will improve your gun-mount and swing. I am not a clay-shooting expert, or anything like it. I shoot clays in the summer for fun, and have never entered a competition in my life (despite having been encouraged to do so.) But I do know that disciplines such as skeet and sporting are of great benefit if I want to ―keep my eye in‖ during the closed season. I am not in anyway degrading or implying other clay disciplines aren‘t as good, it is just that I prefer Skeet and Sporting and the variety of targets that they offer. I have also been told that I could improve my scores if I pre-mounted the gun before calling ―Pull‖, but I am practising to be good for feathered birds who give you no warning prior to their arrival, rather than to be good at breaking competition clays. It depends why you are there – so I persevere mounting the gun after I call for the clay. This brings me to the guns. Any serious faults should of course be addressed when they appear, whether during the game season or nor, but lesser faults like mistimed ejectors can wait to be dealt with during the closed season. And then of course, you may decide that you want to buy a new gun….. but that‘s a whole new can of worms. So, if you see a sad, lost, camouflage clad figure shuffling aimlessly down the road near where you live, spare a thought and point out the fact that he has other avenues in which he can express his sense of loss which do not involve par-boiling his innards. But don‘t stay too close, especially if the jacket starts to come off ……….

A “DAY TO FORGET” BY GEOFF COOPER real ale on the old fashioned hand pumps. It was as fine a pint as a man could wish to sup. I was alive and living in heaven.

efore moving to Ireland some eighteen years ago I had led a somewhat nomadic life. I was born in Sheffield and in my early years I was far from being a countryside journalist. I left school at the age of sixteen and my father insisted that I take an electrical engineering apprenticeship at a local steel works. Having gained qualifications by the age of twenty one I decided to quit the heat and grime of Sheffield's industry and jumped on my motor bike and moved to Putney in London. I had been assured that London's streets were paved with gold and soon found work in a much smaller and cleaner factory than where I had spent the last five years learning my trade. Friday nights saw me make a mad dash back to Sheffield as I was still involved with fishing for a local team there. Saturdays were spent at my fathers fishing tackle shop where I prepared my bait and gear for the match which took place the following day. Sunday saw me compete on rivers such as the Trent and Witham and then back to London that evening. Having moved South I made sure that I was as near to fishable water as possible and first found accommodation in Sunbury on Thames and then moved to a bungalow on the river at Penton Hook. My 'pad' had river frontage and the rear garden was directly adjacent to to a very large weir pool. I could literally fall out of the lounge and into the river. Wherever I moved I made sure that my domestic accommodation was very close to good fishing and shooting. For the last fourteen years of living in the UK I was fortunate enough to live almost on the banks of the Upper Great Ouse River in the picturesque village of Offord Cluny. It was a fishers and shooters wonderland. Not only had it got the main river but the water also split in several different directions there giving access to two weirs, a mill stream, a large mill pool and a canalized section known locally as the new cut. Most of the crop in the area was oilseed rape and at the time my favourite shooting was pigeon over decoys. We purchased a cottage with the river on one side and on the other side, not twenty five yards away the village public house. It was supplied by a small local brewery called Charles Wells and served up

Not long after I arrived at Offord I received a call from my old mate John McAngus who at the time was head bailiff for Anglian Water, the largest water authority in the UK. He very soon seconded me to work part time (officially eighteen hours per week) as a warranted fisheries and pollution officer. Apart from doing netting surveys etc I did lots of offence work (pollutions etc) and checked anglers to make sure they had the required national rod license. Most people carried one and it was a job I enjoyed as I met lots of people from all walks of life. It also fitted in very nicely and left me time to write, fish and shoot. To say I knew most of the waters in the area intimately well I suppose is a bit of an understatement. Wandering around doing something you are passionate about is serious fun and getting paid for it into the bargain just makes you that little bit keener. The local angling club, The Offord and Buckden Angling Society owned around nine miles of riverbank. In my first year there I became a committee member and latterly became club chairman. This exalted position not only gave me access to great fishing but also wild fowling of a very high standard. On the downstream side of the village the club owned what was known simply as sections A,B and C. Section A being the furthest away from the actual village. The end of A section to put it mildly was a good trot. Below A section was a beautiful stretch of river almost unfished and was just about equidistant from Brampton, the next village downstream. In those days walking never bothered me and I would often walk past our waters and fish a place that always rewarded me very well. The far bank was lined with mature trees which overhung the water. During the summer months the lower branches would kiss the top of the river as the breeze gently passed through them. A huge shoal of chub, (a fish not indigenous to Ireland) inhabited the area along with some fine bream and roach. I would scatter chrysalis into the branches via my catapult. These in turn would then drop on to the heads of the hungry fish. A deft cast of a weighted float tight up to the foliage would produce an almost immediate response from the marauding bronzed backed beauties, some of them in excess of 5lbs in weight. My best results were always in the summer months. The time to fish was from around

six o'clock until dusk. Charlie and his pet corgi Taffy often joined me for a chat. Charlie didn't fish but was fascinated to see fish of such proportions being caught and would often sit for an hour or more. Charlie was an ex fire officer and had retired early because of health problems. He had at sometime suffered serious smoke inhalation and had been advised to walk every day and his companion Taffy had no problem with that whatsoever. He invariably appeared before his master and would climb up my back as I sat and give my ear a lick or playful nip. Charlie was a widower and the pair of them lived in a small flat in the centre of Buckden village. It was September and I had just returned from my usual two week visit to Ireland. We had taken the overnight boat and arrived back at Offord around lunch time. I reasoned with my wife Christine that the bait I had brought back should be used quickly as it would go sour and only be fit to throw away. She gave me that knowing look and soon my gear was on my back and I trudged down the river bank, arriving at my favourite spot around 5pm. I quickly tackled up and over went the chrysalis into the branches and leaves which were now turning into golds and browns. With great expectancy I allowed my float to run as close as I could to the leaves which touched the water. The float ran down the swim and it's disappearance never happened. I fished on with no reward. I began to believe that maybe my bait had really gone off but fished on. I was so intent on catching at least one fish that time slipped by, mist began to rise from the Autumn river and the light began to fade. ‗'Not catching then Geoff,' the voice said. 'No Charlie, not a bite,' I replied and then enquired where Taffy was. 'My little lad is not well today,' he said. I turned to ask what was wrong with him but Charlie had walked on. I walked home in the dark that night. I quickly unloaded my gear and to cheer myself up having caught absolutely nothing, nipped next door for a pint of beer. The landlord, Dave gave me his usual welcome and my pewter tankard which hung behind the bar, was quickly filled to the brim. 'Any news while I've been away,' I asked. 'Yeah, awful sad about Charlie,' he replied. 'What about him,' I asked. 'Oh you won't have heard will you,' he said. 'Both him and Taffy were found drowned three days ago in that spot you fish down river. They think Taffy fell in and Charlie tried to rescue him.' The pint remained untouched and I never fished the spot again. 15

HUNTING ROUND UP FROM TOM FULTON Hunt Staff on the Move It is definitely ―all change‖ for a number of staff in Irish hunts as we approach the end of the 2008-2009 season. Amongst the changes are: Laois Foxhounds‘ huntsman James Pearson is returning to England to become huntsman to the Wheatland Foxhounds in Shropshire Oliver Harding, whipper-in to the Limerick Foxhounds, has been appointed kennel huntsman to the Wiltshire based Tedworth Foxhounds. At the Island Foxhounds, in County Wexford, huntsman Billy Connors is retiring so Mark Ollard, whipper-in to the Scarteen Foxhounds in County Limerick, is moving there to hunt hounds. Crispin Mason is moving from the Tedworth Foxhounds to the Limerick, as Oliver Harding‘s replacement, to turn hounds to huntsman Will Bryer. John Finucane, having hunted the Stonehall Harriers since 1997, is retiring and will be succeeded by Waterford Foxhounds‘ huntsman Graham Bustin who is returning to has native County Limerick. At the Tipperary Foxhounds, Sam Staniland, who has whipped-in for four seasons at the Worcestershire Foxhounds, will now turn hounds to Derrie Donegan, in succession to Paul Grady who moves to the South Devon Foxhounds as kennel huntsman. Deaths John Smith, who was master of the Westmeath Foxhounds from 1985 -1990 and from 1991-1992, has died at eighty years of age. A popular and well respected figure, John‘s funeral, at which his cousin Bishop Michael Smith officiated, took place at Mullingar, County Westmeath. John leaves behind a widow Kathleen, their sons, Gerard, Martin, Eamon and Pat, and their daughter Helen, to whom every sympathy is extended. News of the death of Mr D M (Dan) Christie, a former master of the Route Harriers in County Londonderry, has been received with regret. He was master of the Route for three separate periods, 19691977, 1979-1981 and 1983-1991 and remained a staunch hunting man and good friend to the Hunt. Hunting Reports Killultagh, Old Rock & Chichester The only thing better than a good day‘s hunting is a good day‘s hunting preceded by an excellent hunt breakfast, and the Killultagh Old Rock and Chichester Hunt‘s meet at Randox outside Crumlin, County Antrim, certainly was preceded by just such a breakfast. Hunt Chairman Dr Peter Fitzgerald, who owns the Randox Laboratory, brought in a firm of outside caterers to give a seated gathering of members, followers, farmers and guests an ideal start to their day‘s hunting, with a sumptuous breakfast. After the meal Dr Fitzgerald spoke of his delight at seeing so many well known faces with such ties to the Hunt and who had made the Hunt so welcome over so many years – in the case of Mr John Hunter his family has farmed in the country for ten generations which is an enviable record of consistency. Huntsman Tom Taylor replied on behalf of the Hunt and thanked Dr Fitzgerald for his generosity. Tim Taylor, assisted by his amateur whippers-in Christopher Berry and Patrick Grinter, with a 14½ couple mixed pack, then led a twenty strong field, under joint masters Mr Graham Duncan and Mrs Frank Boyd, to the first draw. Looking on ruefully was Kevin McNally, who 16

broke his left wrist at the Pony Club meet and cannot wait to get back in the saddle. At The Boatyard there were some signs of a fox having been there earlier but a protracted draw along the shores of Lough Neagh proved blank. A move into a plantation, also belonging to our host, found a fox in an old lane and he ran in a circle onto land belonging to Hugh Suffern MRCVS and thence to William Thompson‘s, before being lost in a culvert after a good hunt. Having given this fox best, Tim Taylor then hacked back past the meet along the Lough shore to Whiteways and then back onto John Hunter‘s, where the famous Ardmore Ayrshire dairy herd has been bred seemingly since time immemorial. Here, Tim remarked later, he was glad to see that hares still abounded in this once exclusively Harrier hunt country. By the same token the only sign of a fox was on the edge of the land and nothing could be made of it, despite diligent drawing of Hunter‘s and then David Patterson‘s. The hunt had also been granted permission to draw adjacent land taken by Trevor Brown but Tim decided not to do so as scent seemed to be particularly poor in this immediate area. On an intuitive impulse the huntsman drew Richard Craig‘s land and then went back across William Thompson‘s where, from a small covert, hounds dislodged a fox which ran parallel to Lough Neagh through some new plantation and back onto Suffern‘s. Here, the pace quickened and the music increased to a crescendo as hounds crossed some open ground behind Langford Lodge. The field now had something to do to keep up, but they were being treated to the sight and sound of hound work at its best. Hounds drove on, finding themselves confronted by sheep foil, wire and electric fencing, all of which they successfully negotiated as they moved towards McAllister‘s meat plant. They then turned left through some stubble and ran as far as some new game crop, on Richard Craig‘s land, before crossing the junction of the Ballyclan and Ardmore roads to return to Suffern‘s land. Hounds had to be stopped there as light was just beginning to fade and there was a large number of in-lamb ewes some distance ahead. Home was then blown on Ardmore Road. The excellence of the breakfast had been more than matched by the day‘s hunting, hounds having run hard on their last fox for some four miles with a point of some two and a half miles. Tim Taylor opined that this had been one of his most satisfying days hunting these hounds, as they had done everything he had asked of them and more. The huntsman was at pains to acknowledge the assistance with fencing, walking the land and checking jumps which he had received from the Randox polo grooms, Rachel Garisch and Bev McMullan, who had played no small part in making the day such as success. The field had survived a very testing day, with a number of young riders well to the fore all day on some very forward going ponies. The Killultagh‘s are enjoying a very good season and have a bright future, judging by the evidence so obvious on this visit. Mid Antrim Harriers The Mid Antrim Harriers‘ meet at Seymour‘s Bridge, outside Randalstown, enjoyed almost spring like weather with the temperature gauge at one stage reading 12 degrees. Huntsman Hugh Cochrane had on a 9½ couple mixed pack and was assisted by amateur whipper-in Mr Gary Clugston, while all three joint masters, Messrs T S Caves, G Cunningham and R Colvin where among the

HUNTING ROUND UP BY TOM FULTON twenty five strong mounted field. The first draw on John Hughes‘s land proved blank and already, there was little sign of scent but Hugh Cochrane persevered right across Walker‘s again without success. A move onto Fergie Hill‘s land saw a fox go afoot and just as suddenly hounds also apparently had scent. Hounds pushed their fox hard as it took them right across William Hill‘s and then Mulvenna‘s before going back across William‘s, Fergie Hill‘s and Walkers. After this hard, fast hunt scent seemed to fade and hounds lost their fox on the brow of the hill with the sun and the heat proving too much for them. Throughout this hunt hounds had hunted well. It was interesting to see the dog hounds over running the line only to have the bitches steady them, then find the line for all to set off again as a pack and in good voice. A series of draws across Hill‘s proved negative and home was blown in mid afternoon in recognition of the sudden improvement in the weather and the debilitating effect that this had had on scent. Louth Foxhounds At the ―Danny Boy‖ Tavern at Reaghstown, Ardee, the Louth Foxhounds attracted a fifty strong mounted field under joint master Dr R Hoey and included a number of very competent young riders. Huntsman Noel McKeever had on a 14½ couple mixed pack and was assisted by amateur whippers-in Messrs Stephen Gunne and Chris Rogers as well as Niall Dunne, a professional in his first season in hunt service. Hounds were put in to the first draw behind Reaghstown Chapel and immediately had a strong fox afoot to give a fast hunt which lasted for some forty minutes. During this time hounds left the field well behind as they pushed hard, often in very good voice. Before long these Old English hounds looked grey and even jet black from the many bogs they crossed following their fox. Scent seemed to be holding, though hounds had to work hard to keep on terms. Their pace, however, did not slacken as they lived up to their reputation for hunting hard across testing country. This good hunt, all too soon, came to an end when this enterprising fox went to ground below Paddy Sharkey‘s at the Glyde River and was given best. The second draw, at Rachlesson, saw a second fox leave the covert and cross the main Ardee to Derry road at Betty Taaffe‘s. He swung left handed, again pushed hard by hounds, before being lost in heavy slurry at Phillipstown. A return to Rachlesson dislodged another fox which provided a fifteen minute hunt in fading scent. He ran towards the main road, was marked to ground and given best. The bog in Rachlesson was blank as were Sweeney‘s and the Council Bog so, this having been an 11am meet, Noel McKeever blew for home in mid afternoon to enable us to partake of Patrick Kell‘s hospitality in the ―Danny Boy‖ Tavern. North Down Foxhounds At Ballywalter Park, Ballywalter, Lord and Lady Dunleath hosted the North Down Foxhounds‘ last meet of the season, which they generously opened with a very welcome stirrup cup. Huntsman Tom Haddock had on a 16½ couple mixed pack and was assisted by amateur whipper-in Ms Anne Magill while the small field

was under field master Mr Richard McLaughlin. Not only do Lord and Lady Dunleath make hounds most welcome but so too does their game keeper, Gordon Wooldridge, who was able to tell Tom Haddock where all the estate‘s foxes were to be found. Despite this excellent local knowledge the first two coverts, The Quarries and Schoolmaster‘s, proved blank. At Bells‘s Hill hounds put a brace afoot almost immediately. They settled on one fox and hunted him hard through Holland‘s and Ballyatwood. Ballyatwood Road is known as the North West Passage, in honour of an ancestor of Lord Dunleath‘s who had served in India, but hounds showed little regard for history as they strove to keep on terms with their fox. Hounds positively screamed at this point, on what appeared to be the strongest scent of the day, and pushed their fox hard only for him to eventually go to ground at the far side of Ballyatwood where he was accounted for. At the Fruit Farm, after some patient drawing, hounds found their second fox. Hounds remained in good voice and fairly rattled him around the farm, pushing him hard back as far as Ballyatwood where he was lost, in now distinctly weaker scenting conditions. As Gordon Wooldridge had asked the huntsman to stay away from the shore side, due to the presence of lambs, home was blown in late afternoon. At the end of this, his first season, Tom Haddock reflected that he was happy with his hounds and their progress, pointing out that the new entry out today had been among the most vociferous when working their fox to ground. Already he cannot wait for next season and he is not the only one! Oriel Harriers ―I wouldn‘t put a milk bottle out on a day like this!‖ So said Kenny Hempkens, a visitor from the Newry Harriers, of the cold, biting wind and shower of sleet at the Oriel Harriers‘ meet outside Forkhill, County Armagh. Happily, the weather improved slightly in that the sleet shower ended, though the cold wind remained and did so for the rest of the day. The Greenvale Equestrian Centre is owned by the McCreesh family and they put on an excellent reception before and most importantly, after the meet to at least alleviate the cold. Huntsman Thomas McCreesh had on a 12 couple mixed pack and was assisted by amateur whippers-in Paul Glendinning and Adam Finnegan. All three masters were out, Mary Curtis and Sean Gray on horse back, while Tom McCourt, who was on foot, was able to regale everyone with his hunting experiences in the United States from which he was recently returned. On a very poor scenting day the eighteen strong field, under the two joint masters, were able to enjoy themselves over the very natural hunting country which they had to take as it came. A series of draws across Longfield, Cloughinny and Schean townlands proved negative and a move to the main Newry to Forkhill Road brought no change of fortune. Home was blown in mid afternoon to enable us all to return to Thomas and Caroline McCreesh‘s kitchen where we soon forgot about the weather.

ALL GUNS BLAZING FOR THE PRINCE’S TRUST

he Prince‘s Trust in partnership with Calor has launched the 2nd Annual Baronscourt Clay Pigeon Shoot. This prestigious event will take place on Saturday 6th June 2009 at Baronscourt, County Tyrone and aims to raise much needed funds for the Prince‘s Trusts work with 3,000 disadvantaged young people in Northern Ireland each year. The event will feature a range of high quality clay pigeon shooting suitable for all levels of experience to include simulated game traps, flush shoot and model aeroplane shoot. For non-shooting guests entertainment will include cookery demonstrations and fashion shows. Following the completion of the Clay Pigeon Shooting competition guests will receive a sumptuous champagne reception and four course meal with wine. Event proceedings will also conclude with an exclusive prize auction with all proceeds raised going to the Prince‘s Trust. Speaking about the launch of the 2nd Annual Baronscourt Clay Pigeon Shoot, Steve Cooke, Chief Executive of Calor, said; ―Calor is delighted to working alongside the Prince‘s Trust and The Duke of Abercorn in hosting this prestigious fundraising event. Our initial Clay Pigeon Shoot in 2008 was a tremendous success and proved to be one of the highlights of the social calendar in helping raise significant funds for the Prince‘s Trust. We have a spectacular event planned for all our shooting and non shooting guests that will prove to be a perfect day out as we once again aim to raise as much money as possible for the Prince‘s Trust and the tremendous work that the charity does for disadvantaged young people in Northern Ireland.‖ The Duke of Abercorn, said: ―We are very pleased to once again lend our support and estate to this worthwhile event. The work of The Prince's Trust Northern Ireland is admirable and I am confident the day will generate significant funds to help The Trust support even more young people in the future.‖

ALL BECAUSE OF CASTING FOR RECOVERY Last year, on a beautiful September weekend, I was one of a very privileged group of women from all over Ireland who had been selected to participate in the first ever ―Casting for Recovery‖ retreat in Ireland. The Casting for Recovery programme offers fly-fishing as a means of gentle exercise to aid recovery after surgery. I had applied for the weekend some time before and had been delighted to be accepted. Feeling slightly apprehensive, as I didn‘t know who the rest of the group would be, I arrived at Gilgood Lodge, just off the Moira roundabout on the M1, on Friday evening and met the rest of the group – ladies like myself who were at various stages in their recovery from breast cancer. From the start, we were drawn to each other by our common bond and had lots to say about our experience of breast cancer, its treatments and life afterwards. Saturday saw us up early for breakfast and raring to go. Brookhall Trout Fishery, outside Lisburn, was our destination and on arrival we were kitted out with all the fishing gear necessary for successful fly fishing. But not just yet!. None of us had ever been fly-fishing before, so we spent the early part of Saturday morning learning the basics, including casting. That was an experience! Lunch was provided for us at the fishery and was super. I was particularly pleased with it as I suffer from coeliac disease and the catering team really excelled. I wished I could have taken them home with me!! During the afternoon we were amazed to see the variety of flies used to fish and how they all looked like the real thing. Not a bit of wonder the fish are fooled. On return to Gilgood Lodge we had 18

another superb meal provided by the owner, played a few games, some of which were unknown to most of us and retired for the night. Sunday saw our return to Brookhall where we met up with our fishing partners – very brave volunteers who were going to help us catch a fish, or two, if we were lucky. I was partnered with Laurence who turned out to be a friend of a friend! What a day. Most of us caught fish. I (with help), caught 3, but one slipped the line and made good his escape. I also had a few bites, but the trout weren‘t playing that day. I now understand the lure of fishing – when you are waiting for that bite on the line, the rest of the world passes by. The casting was not hard on those shoulder and arm muscles that had been weakened by surgery – in fact, the movement was very beneficial and therapeutic. We again were treated to a fabulous lunch and were given prizes and certificates as were our fishing partners and all the helpers who had made the weekend so brilliant. We were particularly blessed by the team from Casting for Recovery – Sue Hunter and Sue Shaw who made the experience so enjoyable. We were given time to chat, relax, talk about our experiences, give support to each other and participate in some superb therapeutic activities. I can honestly say that it was the most relaxing weekend I have ever had and if you have the opportunity to take part in a Casting for Recovery retreat, go for it. My only regret about the whole experience is that I am now excluded from attending another. My turn is over, now it is time for yours. Rosemary Wilson

Gundog Insurance Package Countryside Alliance Ireland

Veterinary fees for injury and illness

€ 4,000

Third party liability and legal costs

€ 250,000

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Boarding kennel fees

€ 1,000

Recovery Cost

€ 500

Death from illness or accident

€ 1,000

Theft or Straying

€ 1,000

Holiday Cancellation (Kennel Costs) € 1,000

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Policy Excess

€ 75

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€200

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