First Show at Markree a Great Success
NEWS
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The Markree Castle Game & Country Fair was the first show of its kind ever held west of the Shannon as far as I am aware and I'm sure it won't be the last as it was a roaring success and must have brought considerable extra business to the region.
The castle grounds are a credit to the Cooper family who have preserved this gem dating from Cromwellian days and made it available for such an important new event. The directors, Lorely Forester and David Wilkinson deserve every accolade they get for the way they ran the show and you only have to ask any of those who worked on the ground, took stands or were involved in any way to back that up.
I had a very pleasurable few days working as the Main Arena Manager which I managed to extend into the week after the event by doing a little light fence post pulling with that master of quad and tractor, Billy Kavanagh. Iain Barber who is perhaps better known by his medieval title of the 'Ratcatcher of West Dublin' added some spice to the whole affair but especially to the terrier racing as the motive power on the specially adapted bicycle power unit for the lure.
The commentary for both days was in the capable and safe hands of Johnny McCoy who has his own way of dealing with everything from lost children to stray dogs and even invented a strange dimension called "Markree Time" - it certainly saved Oul' Midlander from having the apoplectic fit when arena items were running a little behind schedule and may well become a much used local expression in the North West.
Apart from the terrier racing, clay pigeon shooting, gundog
scurries, falconry, pipe and military bands, pet dog shows and jousting
filled the main arena programme for both days and there was rarely a dull
moment from start to finish. More unusual items such as a magnificent
'drum combo' called Samboiere entertained the crowds and the crowds came
from far and near with well over 15,000 paying customers coming through
the gates over two days and this was a 'first' in the area! Other events
include a large children's painting competition, puppet shows, rare breeds,
a demonstration by the local fire brigade, a children's play area which
included bouncing castles which Midlander stayed well clear of and mini
quad bikes which I couldn't fit on and a climbing tower which I assumed
wouldn't hold my weight. Even offers of substantial bets couldn't persuade
Johnny McCoy or Midlander to risk life and limb on such a contraption.
Robert Gillespie and Patrick Trotter ran an exceptional fly casting clinic and a demonstration twice daily which created a huge interest in this sport. Archery including filed archery was available on a 'try it yourself' basis and if the cartridges become too expensive I know where my shooting will be going. An important feature of this show was the use wherever possible of local talent and this was very obvious with Johnny and Rosie Conlon from Lough Bo Shooting, Carrowmore Archers, Flybow and Eagles Flying who are all from the immediate area as well some from further afield such as Nicholas Elder, Mayo Flycraft and The Countryman's Weekly who helped in various ways.
The show included a Polocrosse event for the Markree Castle Connaught Cup which I understand will become an annual event and, after watching these exponents of equestrian skill, Midlander will keep his feet on the ground and his seat out of the saddle as it is certainly far too exciting for my constitution. The Pony Club Games were also a feature of equestrian skills which provided an interest for the horse lovers.
I have never seen such an array of delicious food stands which include French and an Irish market with every conceivable tasty treat to add inches to my girth where Lady Midlander stocked up while she wasn't helping out in the administration tent. Young Catherine Midlander was kept busy collecting votes for the show gardens competition which was won by Aisling Kilcullen who is a student at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin through which flows my local River Tolka.
There was a good selection of horse drawn vehicles on show and a vintage single-decker bus to help you along the castle avenue which brought back memories of travelling to relations in the Midlands as a child.
A very important part of the whole event was the Sustainable Living Exhibition showing how to make the most of natural resources with everything from herbal medicines, bee keeping, pottery, bog oak craft, eco friendly building methods, compost and wormeries (now there's an idea for next fishing season) a working blacksmith and even willow work coffins which would look great as a storage unit for my fishing rods and might keep me out of trouble with herself. I very nearly did get myself into trouble as Lady Midlander spotted me heading for Shamie Heffernan's excellent collection of sticks which was just too tempting to ignore.
Another lady which must be mentioned is Abby Vincent who had the unenviable job of information officer and somehow managed to keep a smile on her face no matter how daft the question or how often she had been asked it.
I have never enjoyed working on a show as much as I did at Markree which was in a large part due to the friendly people involved but might also have been helped by being fed and watered in the beautiful Markree Castle Hotel which is what this magnificent setting is used for when it is not the site of what is destined to become one of the major shows on the Irish fieldsports circuit.
I am already looking forward to next year and working hard to make sure I get invited. This is one to put in your diary for 2006 unless you want to miss some great entertainment.
Midlander 30/7/2005