Once a year the Birr Castle Demesne indulges (almost) entirely at one of Ireland’s premier country life events, namely the Irish Game and Country Fair. While this massive event is not organized by the Earl of Rosse, but rather by a trading company that hires the family all the time, it certainly fits very well into the overall atmosphere of the place. You could say that the location and the event were almost tailor-made for each other.
Recommended? Yes, but with a minor caveat for those on strict meatless diets and very passionate about animal rights.
The Irish game and the country fair in a nutshell
The first thing you’ll notice at the Irish Game and Country Fair, right after parking your car among many 4x4s in a freshly cut field, is that the fashion statements from the crowds (and that includes both genders and all ages) seem runs to variations on tweed, wax jackets, hunting gear, chunky boots, and wellies. With the strange weapon or (more often) dog as an accessory. At the same time, not everything is “What’s wrong?” And fancy dialects …
The Irish Game and Country Fair is, to sum it up, a celebration of all things country, not as a musical style, but as living in the country and also outside the country. Although not in an agricultural sense.
What makes the Irish Game and Country Fair stand out are the activities away from the tractor and plow. Like hunting, fishing, horseback riding, shooting, working dogs, with a fair amount of food and drink, plus some historical aspects included for good measure. And here comes the warning already announced above: strict vegetarians and vegans may find food stalls unpleasant, and passionate animal rights activists will not enjoy the entire show. It’s not that animals are mistreated here, but they are definitely there to serve humanity, for example, as armed dogs.
And most visitors will agree that there is a place for all creatures… preferably next to the potatoes and vegetables on your plate.
What to do at the Irish game and country fair
The actual Irish game and country fair settings change every year, program elements are adjusted or removed, others added. Therefore, these notes should be compared with the actually planned program on the website, to avoid disappointment.
Generally speaking, much of the Birmes Demesne Castle grounds around the ‘Leviathan’ telescope would be turned over to display areas, either in the open air or (most of them) in tents. The actual exhibits are commercial and non-commercial. , without a strict deviation between them, and can range from beekeeping to new Italian hunting rifles, from county and outdoor clothing specialists to stick carving, from Cumbrian hunting cakes (highly recommended) to Viking weaponry (not recommended if you are at the reception end).
Animals on display would typically include horses, ferrets, raptors, and a host of dogs.
Dogs will also stand out in the activity areas surrounding the exhibits: Trials with armed dogs are held every year, and the agility and skills of some of these dogs are simply incredible. Another activity that you will not be able to escape, if only because of the persistent level of background noise, is the shooting competitions (they are a bit far from the main event, but the explosions still continue).
Especially popular with most visitors are the arena displays, which take place in view of Birr Castle, which could be an appropriate (if slightly anachronistic) background for a jousting tournament. Or western riding exhibits. Or a falconry show. Or a Victorian ranger and poacher trying to taunt each other. Or some Vikings who settle a minor dispute with sword and spear. Or some expert dog training. Like I said before, the show changes over time, but you will certainly find some live action that will tickle you.
And I must mention the food: while the Irish Game and Country Fair is not a gastronomic event as such, you will find a host of stalls offering food to eat on site, or to take home and enjoy at your leisure. These include mainly Irish and British producers, but often with a slightly more exotic flair. That said, there is nothing better than a fresh barbecue with apple sauce and potatoes …
Taking all the booths and exhibits would keep you busy for a few hours, add the arena displays and you have a full day. I recommend allocating at least four hours if you really want to enjoy Irish game and country fair, the more the merrier.
Is the Irish game and the country fair for everyone?
I mentioned this before, no it’s not. But aside from the demographic mentioned above, who would definitely not be happy at the Irish Country and Game Fair, I would say that it is a family event and that anyone interested in country life would generally find plenty to do and see.
Having said that, an interest must be there… I just can’t imagine a slippery, hipster from the city so happy here. Unless you buy a tweed cap as a postmodern statement on, well, whatever. On the other hand, you could be wrong. So let me put it this way: check out the website, check out my images from the 2015 Ireland Country & Game Fair here, then decide for yourself if it’s for you.
Irish game and country fair: the essentials
Location – Birr Castle Demesne, Birr, County Offaly.
Organizers – Great Irish Games Fairs.
Schedule : Usually a full weekend in late August, with a similar show at Shane’s Castle, Country Antrim, earlier in the year.
Entrance – € 15.
Website – Irish Game and Country Fair.
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