Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

Pictured above are members of Team Ireland

It is with great pleasure that we can announce that Team Ireland have won 10 medals, 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 6 Bronze medals at the World Association Precision Pistol German International Open that was held in Phillipsburg, Germany over the weekend 14/15 August 2010

This continues Team Ireland's success in the World Association Precision Pistol competitions, including 25 medals in the World Championships last year.

Lyall Plant Chief Executive Countryside Alliance Ireland said: "This is great news and achievement for Team Ireland. Many members of the team have fought very hard over the last twelve months to retain their pistol licences. Without the help of NASRPC many of these medals would not have been coming home".

Lyall continuted: "This result clearly demonstrates the need to continue to fight for the future of target shooting in Ireland. Countryside Alliance Ireland has supported NASRPC in its quest for a fair, honest and transparent licence system that will benefit all".

For further details on individual winners please contact Martin Hayes NASRPC PRO on 086 263 6117 or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tail Docking has not been banned in Northern Ireland.  Recent media articles have been misleading to say the least and indeed, they have been written in such a way as to infer that the Welfare of Animals Bill (which is entering committee stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly) has become law.  We wish to clarify the fact that tail docking has not been banned and is still lawful in Northern Ireland. 

In working dogs, docking may be defined as the prophylactic shortening of the tail.  Working dogs are docked in order to prevent injury and the procedure is a long-established aspect of kennel management.  The normal age at which the procedure is generally carried out is between 2 and 5 days, depending upon the breed concerned and always before a puppy’s eyes are open.  Docking is thus only undertaken when the task which a dog is expected to perform and the characteristics of the breed predispose it to tail injury.

Pictured at the Cookstown Meeting, from left to right:

Lord Morrow MLA, Ian McCrea MLA, Lyall Plant Chief Executive Countryside Alliance Ireland, Francie Molloy MLA, Patsy McGlone MLA 

Countryside Alliance Ireland was delighted with the show of support from their members, supporters and MLAs at the regional meetings held recently throughout Northern Ireland to highlight the imminent threats to country sports. 

Please "Click Here" to download The Threats Facing Country Sports and the Rural Way of Life in Northern Ireland

There are several different Bills that are currently being considered; many of these will affect not only the public’s way of life but also many careers.  There are thousands employed within countryside sports in Northern Ireland; shooting alone has 2,100 full time employees whilst horse racing creates an equivalent of 18,300 full time jobs. 

The show of support from politicians was greatly appreciated by all at the meetings and the MLAs were left in no doubt as to the strength of feeling in respect of threats to country sports and rural activities.

Clonard Ballyboggan Gun Club are holding a clay pigeon shoot with a prize fund of €500.  It  takes place on Sunday 8th August 2010 at Clonard Ballyboggan Shooting Grounds in Ardnamullen Bog, off the old N4, 1 mile outside Kinnegad.  The shoot starts at 11am.

Prizes on the day are as follows:

High Gun Winner                   €200

d.t.l. Winner                           €100

s-t Winner                             €100

d-d Winner                            €100

 With many thanks to sponsors- Joe Darby, Willy Hyland, Top Gun Sports and Kevin O'Rafferty.

All proceeds are in aid of Clonard Church Restoration Fund.

Tea and refreshments will be supplied on the day.

For more details or directions, please contact:

Barry- 086 0410606 or

Peter-086 7334234