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.

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

In recent months there has been an increased threat to the rural way of life in Northern Ireland.  To try and defeat these threats Countryside Alliance Ireland have arranged four regional meetings to provide information to you, your club, hunt or syndicate.

Lyall Plant, Chief Executive of Countryside Alliance Ireland, commented, "With the very future of country sports and rural activities in Northern Ireland being challenged, it is vital that we have the continued support of our members and friends.  I hope you and your friends will attend these meetings to help safeguard the future of our way of life".

The schedule for the meetings is as follows:

Tuesday 3rd August                         Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen                           7.30pm

Thursday 5th August                        Lagan Valley Island Centre, Lisburn             7.30pm

Monday 9th August                          Galgorm Resort & Spa, Ballymena                 7.30pm

Tuesday 10th August                       Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown               7.30pm

The most effective way of defending our traditions and the livelihoods of the thousands of people employed by country sports, is by the lobbying of politicians.  They hold the key to opposing any future bans, therefore we need to stand united and demonstrate that those who support country sports and rural activities are a much bigger group than those who oppose it.

The first step is to attend the meeting in your area.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Countryside Alliance Ireland would like to remind our members that Monday 23rd July is the closing date for purchasing half price tickets to attend the Irish National Country Sports Fair at Ballinlough Castle, County Westmeath. Members will pay 7.50 Euro per person that is a fantastic 50% saving. Children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult.

To book your tickets contact our office by phoning 01-690-3610 and select option 5. Members will also receive a free tea or coffee voucher and a voucher giving you 50% off a Hog Roast Roll.

Book your tickets now. We look forward to seeing you all there. To find Clonmellon View Map here.

The Dog Breeding Establishment Bill will set out standards required for the welfare of all dogs while protecting our dog industry .This bill will help to enhance our international reputation amongst the dog industry and also prevent any puppy farms from neglecting their dogs. 

The Department of Agriculture will amend the 1958 Greyhound Industry Act, to legislate for welfare provisions for members of the Irish Greyhound Board.  Once amended, the welfare of IGB registered greyhounds would be addressed through this amended 1958 Act.

Minister John Gormley will delay the signing of the commencement order of the welfare sections of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2009 until 1 January, 2011 to allow for the introduction of these amendments into the 1958 Greyhound Industry Act.