Are you game for some Bank Holiday Fun?
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Joanne Mcgowan is looking forward to the country fair at Ballinlough Castle. SR2901
TENS of thousands of people from across Ireland will be donning their wellie boots, wax coats and peak caps and flocking to Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath at the end of the month to visit one of Ireland's biggest summer country related events.
The Irish National Country Fair, which takes place on the 31st July & 1st August, is one of the largest game & country fairs in Ireland where all ages and backgrounds can take part in not only clay-pigeon shooting but archery, falconry, fishing, gundog, terrier and lurcher & equestrian events.
Along with these fantastic activities you can enjoy the horses and hounds and birds of prey shows, vintage tractors, gundog demonstrations, Cossack horsemanship and a breathtaking air display by Europe's top aerobatic team in their four Russian built Yak stunt planes.
This is the second year of the highly successful game fair, and to celebrate this, organisers are allowing children under 16 to go free. Director of The National Country Fair, Bill Beckett said: "The event is bigger and better this year and for 2010 we have over 150 trade stalls offering superb shopping as well as all of our exciting competitions and demonstrations during the event. We're expecting more than 15,000 visitors from across Ireland and further afield over the course of the two days."
“We have fantastic opportunities for children to see birds of prey up close and participate in the falconry display as well watch the amazing air display each afternoon. To give even more young people an introduction to country sports we're scrapping the children's entry fee to actively encourage their participation."
There will be a specialist family area at Ballinlough Castle with public dining and children's activities, live music from Scottish Celtic band, Clann an
Drumma, traditional dance, horse drawn carriage rides and miniature horses among other highlights.
Those who enjoy culinary delights are in for a treat as an international food fair will feature with gourmet treats for all taste buds from crepes to paella to homemade fudge from the Isle of Arran. There are over 150 trade stalls at the two day show and for those interested in hand-made crafts there will be woollens, ceramics, pottery, jewellery, textiles and toys and silverware. Ad to all this a woodland village with artisans demonstrating ancient Irish woodland crafts
The Irish National Country Fair commences at 10 am each day and runs through until 6 pm. The adult admission fee is €15 with children free when accompanied by an adult.
Car parking is also free and is on-site. More information on this and all aspects of this two-day game and country fair can be had by visiting the show's website at www.nationalcountry
fair.ie
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