THE biggest Countrysports Fair in Northern Ireland is back this May and promises to be even better than before as the two-day spectacular expands to Three Great Events in One Giant Festival.
The hugely popular extravaganza is supported by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Lisburn City Council and saw 18,000 people attend last year. This year’s festival has been rebranded from The National Countrysports Fair to The Northern Ireland Countryside Festival and is celebrating its 10th anniversary taking place at Moira Demesne on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May.
Families can enjoy all the fun of the fair as children under 16 years can enter free and this year will see three great events – the National Countrysports Fair, the Tea on the Titanic Festival and the Finn McCool Strongman Festival – rolled into one giant festival.
On display for all to see will be the Phoenix Falconry birds of prey, Drakes of Hazard sheepdog and ducks display and Gundog handling demonstrations. There will also be a chance for visitors to try their hand at countrysports activities including clay pigeon shooting, archery and falconry.
The Tea on the Titanic Festival will give guests the opportunity to relax and enjoy some entertainment, food and refreshments. Music on offer over the weekend will include traditional music and dance from Hugo Duncan and band, The Bjorn Identity Abba Tribute Band and an Elvis Tribute act. There will also be a half-price evening ticket for those wanting to gain entrance and enjoy entertainment each evening from 5.00pm.
The Strongman arena is set to stage the Finn McCool Celtic Games, where five times UK Strongest Man Glenn Ross will host both the Highland and Celtic Games on Saturday 26th May and the Irish Novice Strongman challenge on Sunday 27th May. Some of the strongest men in the UK are down to compete in a mixture of traditional lifting, pulling and tossing cabers.
The event also offers novelty events including the Scruffs Dog Show on Sunday, where you can enter your pooch with the chance of being crowned ‘The Scruffiest’, ‘The One with the Waggiest Tail’ or ‘The One the judge would most like to take home’. There will also be a display of the ‘Titanic Dogs’ a Newfoundland, Pomeranian and Pekingese, three breeds of dog which survived the fateful sinking of the world famous ship.
Visitors can tantalise their taste buds at the Food Festival & Farmer’s market which attracts producers from Northern Ireland and abroad. The crafts fair gives visitors the opportunity to peruse a wide variety of country related products from walking sticks to candle making and there will also be vintage vehicles on display including tractors, farm machinery and a range of classic cars.
Event Director, Bill Beckett said, “This year the Northern Ireland Countryside Festival is bigger and better than ever. With the two additional events – Tea on The Titanic Festival and the Finn McCool Celtic Games, as well as the National Countrysports Fair, it really is set to be a fantastic weekend to entertain all ages and tastes.
[more…]
“Whether you want to come for the whole day to view the different displays, take part in the have-a-go events or enjoy the various stalls and musical entertainment as you sit back and enjoy some great food, not only are we providing something for everyone but as kids go free it’s a cost effective family day out.”
The Northern Ireland Countryside Festival runs from 11.00am – 9.00pm on Saturday and 10.30am – 7.00pm on Sunday. The adult admission fee is £10 and children can go free when accompanied by an adult. The event also offers free on-site car parking.
More information on this and all aspects of the two-day festival is available from the show’s website at www.nicountryside.com and on Twitter @MoiraGameFair and Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalcountrysportsfair