Ballinlough Game Fair Co. Westmeath

Antoennis

Anyone going? We have a stand at it come say hello.

http://www.nationalcountryfair.ie

pheasntstalker

:)will surely lad if im around ,will be there sat or sunday whats the name on the stand il be sure to pop over an say hello:):)

Antoennis

pheasntstalker wrote: »

:)will surely lad if im around ,will be there sat or sunday whats the name on the stand il be sure to pop over an say hello:):)

Does everyone not know:D It's called I Shoot and Fish. We will be there promoting our free shooting and fishing e-zine. Looking forward to it. Hope the weather is nice.

EPointer=Birdss

Yep hoping to get to this 1. Debating whether to bring the dogs or not. not generally a pooper scooper kinda guy & this appears to be that type of affair
Looking forward to it so fingers crossed on the weather :cool:

Antoennis

EPointer=Birdss wrote: »

Yep hoping to get to this 1. Debating whether to bring the dogs or not. not generally a pooper scooper kinda guy & this appears to be that type of affair
Looking forward to it so fingers crossed on the weather :cool:

Wouldn't worry to much about that. There is always loads of dogs and no one lifts-well except the stand that they do it in fornt off!!:D Make sure they go before coming to see us! ha ha

EPointer=Birdss

Antoennis wrote: »

Wouldn't worry to much about that. There is always loads of dogs and no one lifts-well except the stand that they do it in fornt off!!:D Make sure they go before coming to see us! ha ha

I'll have them corked & ready for you :D

Spunk84

EPointer=Birdss wrote: »

Antoennis wrote: »

Wouldn't worry to much about that. There is always loads of dogs and no one lifts-well except the stand that they do it in fornt off!!:D Make sure they go before coming to see us! ha ha

I'll have them corked & ready for you :D

Bringing my fello down, might just bring a few freezer bags to lift the crap if it's done on the path or walk way. I'll just run the dog before hand and get the crap out if him look forward to seeing you there hopefully!!!!!!

underthetumb

was thinking of goin, its a bit pricey though

landkeeper

i really can't understand why lads would want to cart a gundog on alead around a gamefair unless they intend to compete in a scurry or similar
it's a pain in the arse for others trying to avoid leads

underthetumb

landkeeper wrote: »

i really can't understand why lads would want to cart a gundog on alead around a gamefair unless they intend to compete in a scurry or similar
it's a pain in the arse for others trying to avoid leads

ah i think it adds to the occasion, i dont have a dog, its nice to see them knocking around,

flanum

think ill head, was at it last year, not a bad waste of a day!

terminator2

looks like the weather will be good
:D

Antoennis

Hope the weather keeps. Could all meet for a few social ones at the beer tent.:D I know i am there promoting our e-zine but like one or two would be ok :D

Spunk84

Antoennis wrote: »

Hope the weather keeps. Could all meet for a few social ones at the beer tent.:D I know i am there promoting our e-zine but like one or two would be ok :D

Nice hope to see u there! I'll be the lad with the springer:D:D

tfox

underthetumb wrote: »

was thinking of goin, its a bit pricey though

€15 is a bit pricey in the current climate, for a fair which isnt that big, €10 would be fine :rolleyes:

But being a Countrysdie Alliance member i get them halk price anyway so no point complaining

pheasntstalker

will be around and apoloiges lad i didnt know that it was e zine forgive my ignorence im not up to date with computer speak i just about know how to type with one finger:( i only went to school when it rained please god or whoever u can inlighting me and tech me about in ezine no offence lad im all for learning new things albeit a bit late in life;)

Antoennis

pheasntstalker wrote: »

will be around and apoloiges lad i didnt know that it was e zine forgive my ignorence im not up to date with computer speak i just about know how to type with one finger:( i only went to school when it rained please god or whoever u can inlighting me and tech me about in ezine no offence lad im all for learning new things albeit a bit late in life;)

God no offense taken. I was taken the hand at myself as it is all i ever talk about!:D Call over and say hello:)

sniper83

lets hope its a nice day!! anyone know what the clay shooting layout is like?

jellybaby21

I hope to be going on Sunday,what time does it start?

Mauser 308

Antoennis wrote: »

Anyone going? We have a stand at it come say hello.

http://www.nationalcountryfair.ie

Well, anyone go? was it any good?

lb1981

Mauser 308 wrote: »

Well, anyone go? was it any good?

I went yesterday morning for a few hours, hardly any stalls noting cheap absolute rip off at 15 euro in.
To be honest if you buy the shooting mags every month you will get the same stuff cheaper.
I went with a few bob in the back pocket couple of decoying things i wanted to get and a good set of stalking sticks.
I left empty handed just cheap substandered rubbish on offer.You would walk around the stalls in 30 mins

mister gullible

Clay shooting and dog trials looked interesting enough if you are into it. Medieval jousting display was tame and cheesy, the fellow herding the ducks was just silly. Read that there would be 100 trade stands so went expecting to see a good bit of shooting stuff, equipment, clothing etc - very disappointing. Hoped to buy good boots but saw only a few pairs. Can't believe there were anything like 100 trade stands, maybe if you count those selling coffee, chips etc... Vintage machinery was almost non existant. In fairness, poultry and bird of prey displays were good and local gun club had a nice display. Wife came with me so it cost about 20 quid in petrol, 30 quid entry and 16 quid for two burgers and chips. €66 for very little to see. Bad value in my opinion.
I thought there would be a few gun dealers with stock on display, maybe they aren't permitted to bring guns?
Are there any bigger or better game fairs in Ireland?

Spunk84

I don't see why they don't combine all the fairs into "super" game fair. Maybe twice a year. I was going to head down but was told it wasn't great Birr last year was a rip off. They had a few good things but prices were ridiculous

lb1981

Spunk84 wrote: »

I don't see why they don't combine all the fairs into "super" game fair. Maybe twice a year. I was going to head down but was told it wasn't great Birr last year was a rip off. They had a few good things but prices were ridiculous

They are ruining it for themselves,word gets around that it is a rip the first day so the turnout the second is poor, but like in the above post 30 euro in ,20 for food and 20 quid fuel before you buy a thing.bastards are raping people.Have to say the quality of some of the gear was ****e and the prices were a joke.You dodged a bullet not going mate,imagine the cost if you have to bring a few kids to it.

Spunk84

lb1981 wrote: »

Spunk84 wrote: »

I don't see why they don't combine all the fairs into "super" game fair. Maybe twice a year. I was going to head down but was told it wasn't great Birr last year was a rip off. They had a few good things but prices were ridiculous

They are ruining it for themselves,word gets around that it is a rip the first day so the turnout the second is poor, but like in the above post 30 euro in ,20 for food and 20 quid fuel before you buy a thing.bastards are raping people.Have to say the quality of some of the gear was ****e and the prices were a joke.You dodged a bullet not going mate,imagine the cost if you have to bring a few kids to it.

I know that kids were free but that should be the norm. As you said nearly 20€ for 2 people for a bit of grub but put in 2-4 kids who want drinks, food and maybe a souvenir ? Your talkin at least 100€ alone, as it was mentioned above LB you had a few quid with you also and didn't spend it there, it's their loss.

Im going to birr this year and if it's like the last year I won't be going to anymore game fairs in Ireland. I'd rather save and take a trip to the UK for better value and better setup. It's sad to say.

lb1981

Spunk84 wrote: »

I know that kids were free but that should be the norm. As you said nearly 20€ for 2 people for a bit of grub but put in 2-4 kids who want drinks, food and maybe a souvenir ? Your talkin at least 100€ alone, as it was mentioned above LB you had a few quid with you also and didn't spend it there, it's their loss.

Im going to birr this year and if it's like the last year I won't be going to anymore game fairs in Ireland. I'd rather save and take a trip to the UK for better value and better setup. It's sad to say.

I think your right all the lads in club are saying the same you can get a weekend coach/booze cruise deal over to the uk

Spunk84

lb1981 wrote: »

I think your right all the lads in club are saying the same you can get a weekend coach/booze cruise deal over to the uk

let me know if you do i would be well up for it:D

homerhop

Kildare regional game council run a bus every year.

Spunk84

homerhop wrote: »

Kildare regional game council run a bus every year.

:eek: You'll have me shot:D cant be associating with those folks:rolleyes:

emergundog

I went and took my two weimaraners, and felt like a trade stand as I spent the majority of the time answering questions about the breed.

It was pretty rubbish - I likened it to charging you into A crsp shopping centre to do your shopping - crap product, shabby set up, and a total rip off.

However, since we came second in the scurry (to a lab ft ch By only .4 of a second), we left on a high. Long way to travel to and a lot to pay to win a bloody scurry though :-)

Dupont

went up this morning,the price in was very steep.not that many stands.was buying antler off a stick maker and when told him i was making one myself he gave it to me for free,as well as tips to make them:D

homerhop

Spunk84 wrote: »

:eek: You'll have me shot:D cant be associating with those folks:rolleyes:

Lol too late you already accepted a lift off one of them

Spunk84

homerhop wrote: »

Lol too late you already accepted a lift off one of them

your buddy down there will be getting me kicked out over it;)

dermot218

it was fairly rubbish i went for a few hours as its only a few miles from home .e15 was a bit steep and as a lot of ye said already thefew stalls that were there there were v expensive.wont bother heading next year

tfox

lb1981 wrote: »

I think your right all the lads in club are saying the same you can get a weekend coach/booze cruise deal over to the uk

For £25 P&O are doing a deal for the Galloway Game Fair inc ferry from Larne, transfer to show and tickets in, I'll def be going. It's on Aug 20/21st.

http://www.gallowaycountryfair.co.uk/

http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/routes_cairnryan_troon_-_larne_Day_trips_Galloway_country_fair_Galloway_Country_Fair.htm

Mauser 308

Decided not to go even thoughI only live 20 mins from it. The feed back from anyone who went yesterday was very bad. Most guys spent an hour max and walked away saying they wont go to it ever again. Very disapointing as its always something I look forward to. And the €20 euro entry thing - I dont think most would mind if you got a good day out and good few hours walking around viewing the stands etc.

dermot218

that sounds like a good deal tfox .it would probaly work out cheaper than ballinlough .

Spunk84

tfox wrote: »

For £25 P&O are doing a deal for the Galloway Game Fair inc ferry from Larne, transfer to show and tickets in, I'll def be going. It's on Aug 20/21st.

http://www.gallowaycountryfair.co.uk/

http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/routes_cairnryan_troon_-_larne_Day_trips_Galloway_country_fair_Galloway_Country_Fair.htm

holy crap 30e is one nice deal! anyone else heading;)

landkeeper

shame as it has the potential to be a good venue and it's only 5 miles from home lol
i was there yesterday and today helping a friend with his exhibition
it was rubbish in my honest opinion too little to see and too expensive to get in, i met lots of lads and lasses i know over the two days and everyone was of the same opinion they won't be there next year

sporting shot

Hi guys,

I was there on Saturday and as you all said, very little there. Shot the compact sporting and it was good fun. My better half said she'd have a go at it too as according to their web-site "There is also a special prize for the top lady shooter each day". Well as it turned out she won the ladies. And her special prize was to be told she won it, given a hand shake and her photo taken!!!

I mean dont get me wrong, we didnt go for that, but it was a little disappointing for there to be a bid deal made and stated on the web-site and thats all it was! Or maybe that was the special prize!!!!

flanum

absolute disgrace of a game fair! mate of mine got escorted out by security on saturday because he was walking around with a box of ferrets!! he was told he had to leave because he didnt have a trade stand and.... he was seen last year selling ferrets.... which is an absolute lie because i was with him last year and he didnt even own any ferrets until a few months ago!! the man was with his wife, 2 childer and elderly mother... he wasnt even allowwed to wait for them in the field car park, they made him drive out of the perimeter while he frantically tried to ring them to tell them they had to leave and meat him half a mile away... absolute disgrace... was this country not formulated on handshakes at country and town fairs over the last several hundred years??? is that not the spirit of the country fair??

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lb1981

flanum wrote: »

absolute disgrace of a game fair! mate of mine got escorted out by security on saturday because he was walking around with a box of ferrets!! he was told he had to leave because he didnt have a trade stand and.... he was seen last year selling ferrets.... which is an absolute lie because i was with him last year and he didnt even own any ferrets until a few months ago!! the man was with his wife, 2 childer and elderly mother... he wasnt even allowwed to wait for them in the field car park, they made him drive out of the perimeter while he frantically tried to ring them to tell them they had to leave and meat him half a mile away... absolute disgrace... was this country not formulated on handshakes at country and town fairs over the last several hundred years??? is that not the spirit of the country fair??

<mod snip>

Pity he didnt have his ferreting bar with him , loads of people there selling dogs ,ferrets and organising dog matings,that is what these fairs are for.****ing jokeshop.It was my last time to go there anyway.

EPointer=Birdss

Should post a link to this thread on the fair website
Or better still on the Birr one as a pre-warning to the disgruntled hunting enthusiasts of Ireland if the fair is not ran properly

Anyone been to the UK fairs? Are they good & if so what's better/ different about them??

Ps that ferret story is ridiculous. Typical sterile Ireland. I would have to be brought out in a paddy wagon before I'd ask my family to walk out to the main road. Security could escort me around til I met them if they liked!

Mauser 308

I dont think the Ballinlough fair will be able to recover from this. Lets hope the Birr organisers can do better in August.

lb1981

Mauser 308 wrote: »

I dont think the Ballinlough fair will be able to recover from this. Lets hope the Birr organisers can do better in August.

I really hope so because that was a shambles

terminator2

Spunk84 wrote: »

your buddy down there will be getting me kicked out over it;)

dont be talking about him like that ...........hes really a nice lad :eek::eek:

pheasntstalker

well im glad now i didnt go after all (had a 21st to go to sat and an 18th on sunday) just hope birr fair is better

Went yesterday. Wasn't impressed at all. The prices were ridiculous for a start, none of the traders were willing to haggle at all, and the 15 euro entrance fee was more than a bit steep. Hopefully Birr will be a lot better.

terminator2

ive gone to Birr the last 4 years and have always enjoyed it , ive always met people down there had a good chat and got the odd bargain

lb1981

Deleted User wrote: »

Went yesterday. Wasn't impressed at all. The prices were ridiculous for a start, none of the traders were willing to haggle at all, and the 15 euro entrance fee was more than a bit steep. Hopefully Birr will be a lot better.

That is gripe i had with the fair ,a lot of the stuff was poor quality and they wouldnt come down on the price so **** them.I was looking at a basic woolly balaclava and he had 15 euro on it, they are a fiver in army bargins.For **** sake i bought a real-tree hat with all the leaves on top and face Vail for 20 quid in Clarkes on friday.These fellas need to get a grip.

homerhop

Bought a pair of trousers up there, gave €45 for them off the fella that has the shop in Mullingar. Looked them up on a site after and he was €5 cheaper than buying online.