EMO COURT TO HOST 2004 NATIONAL COUNTRY FAIR
NEWS
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This page was last updated on Monday, August 20, 2007
EMO COURT HOSTS 2004 NATIONAL COUNTRY FAIR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Emo Court, Emo, Co. Laois to host Ireland's leading Countryside Event - The National Country Fair on Sunday June 6th and Monday June 7th.
Last year's Fair which took place in Birr Castle Demesne was a resounding success with a record attendance of 35,000 visitors and this year organisers are confident that numbers will increase. Margaret Edgill, Fair Director said "Emo Court is a truly magnificent setting, offering improved access, increased public parking and much needed on site exhibitor parking. Birr Castle Demesne was an excellent venue for the Fair for the past two years but due to the unprecedented growth of the Fair, we felt Emo Court was better placed and equipped to host this increasingly popular event".
Emo Court was designed by architect James Gandon in 1790 and is a magnificent example of this neo-classical style. The house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland which were first laid out in the 18th century and contain formal lawns, lake and woodland walks with many very fine trees and shrubs. Emo Court was taken into State ownership in 1994 and is beautifully maintained by Duchas The Heritage Service.
The angling symposium at the National Country Fair has become established as the largest outdoor angling exhibition in Ireland with a huge variety of fishing events, demonstrations and displays that appeal to all anglers. Margaret said "the twenty five acre lake at Emo Court will facilitate our first international spey casting competition and provides ample space to host all angling competitions on the water this year".
This year's line up includes, as well as Ireland's leading angling exhibition, shooting, gun dog trials, the exciting hunt chase, falconry displays, the Ukrainian Cossacks, and a tented village with a wide variety of shops.
Norman Black, Acting Chief Executive of The East Coast & Midlands Tourism Authority "is delighted that the National Country Fair is taking place in Emo Court this year and we very much welcome it. It is an ideal location with its parkland setting and lake. It is conveniently situated just off the N7 Kildare to Portlaoise Road. Portlaoise is the crossroads of the country and is easily accessible for both Irish and foreign visitors alike".
Emo Court is located just 6 miles south of Portlaoise on the N7 (Kildare to Portlaoise road) and is only 4 ½ miles from Portarlington train station.
ENDS
For further information contact or Avril Perrin or
Audrey O'Dwyer at
Perrin O'Dwyer PR on 045 485 852
Avril's Mobile 087 2831793
Audrey's Mobile 086 9299221