Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has confirmed that the Forestry Bill, has passed its Committee Stage at the Assembly.

The Minister made the announcement following agreement from the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Commenting on the progress made, she said: “The Forestry Bill has now passed an important milestone. This is the result of a very positive process of dialogue between the Committee and my Department. I also want to mention the important contribution of stakeholders in helping us produce a well balanced Bill to support the vision and responsibilities of a modern Forestry Strategy.”

The Bill will contain powers to expand forest cover in the north of Ireland, support sustainable management of existing forests, promote biodiversity, address climate change and promote recreation and tourism.

Rural Ireland Says Enough!

FACE Ireland and the Hunting Association of Ireland have formed RISE! Rural Ireland Says Enough! to campaign at national, regional and local level to mobilise public and political opinion in support of our traditional field sports and rural pastimes. Together, these organisations represent more than 300,000 adherents of country sports.

FACE is the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU, a non-profit making, non-governmental organisation that has acted in the interests of over seven million European hunters since its foundation in 1977. The steering group of RISE! includes representatives of FACE Ireland, the HAI, and the Ward Union Hunt.

Countryside Alliance Ireland has shown their support for RISE! and have donated €10,000 to the campaign fund. As a firm advocate that Unity is vital for Country Sports', working alongside like minded organisations, CAI were delighted at their recent Board Meeting in Dundalk, to present a cheque to Oliver Russell, Chairman of the Ward Union Hunt Club who was representing RISE! on the evening.

Irish hares are eighteen times more abundant in areas managed by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) than at similar sites in the wider countryside a recent study by Queen's University Belfast has shown.  

There are approximately 76 local coursing clubs distributed throughout Ireland and each is associated with a number of discrete localities, known colloquially as 'hare preserves'.

Starts 12 noon. 

Last entries 3pm. 

30 bird sporting re-entry. 

Cash prize on the pool shoot also separate prize for the lowest score. 

Come along and support

Every one welcome. 

For more information:  086 261 7396

Under the terms of the EU Birds Directive, all EU member States, including Ireland, are bound to take measures to protect all wild birds and their habitats. The Directive allows member States to make derogations from its protective measures where certain wild bird species covered by the declaration are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or to air safety. The declarations, which are attached, renew the derogations for the period January to April 2010 and exclude the use of meat baits for the purposes of the control of certain wild bird pest species by means of poison which was introduced with effect from 1st January, 2008.

 The Minister has signed 4 declarations for the 4 month period January to April 2010 for the provinces of Connaught, Leinster, Munster and the administrative counties of Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal.    A separate countrywide derogation is issued in respect of air safety.

Declaration regarding Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan (pdf, 629 kb)

Declaration regarding Leinster (pdf, 623 kb)

Declaration regarding Munster (pdf, 626 kb)

Declaration regarding Connaught (pdf, 618 kb)

Declaration regarding species representing a threat to air safety (pdf, 216 kb)

The recent Second Reading of the draft Wildlife Bill for NI revealed that there is considerable support from MLA's of a variety of political persuasions for putting the Irish Hare under complete protection in NI.  This is despite the fact that in the 2008 Public Consultation (Review of the Wildlife Order) out of 37 respondents commenting on the issue only 6 supported this option.  

If Irish Hares were put under the Schedule of species offered protection at all times (known in the current Act as Schedule 5), it would become an offence intentionally to kill, injure, or take, possess, or trade in any wild animal listed in the Schedule, however, more significantly, it would also prohibit interference with places used for shelter or protection, or intentionally disturbing animals occupying such places.  

 2010  MEET CARD

 Sunday 14^th February – Hughes Bar, Cordal, Co. Kerry

.Joint Meet of: 

Abbeyfeale Harriers, Scartaglin Harriers & Minerock Harriers

 Monday 15^th February – The Corner House, Shamballymore,  Co. Cork

Scarteen Foxhounds (The Black & Tans)

 Tuesday 16^th   February  - Jack O’Grady Memorial Meet

The Goalpost Bar, Tournafulla, Co. Limerick.

Macroom Foxhounds

 Wednesday 17^th  February – John O’Connor Memorial Meet

Lyons Bar, Scartaglin, Co. Kerry

Carraigshane Harriers 

Thursday 18^th February  - Walsh’s Bar,  Knocknagoshel, Co. Kerry

.Joint meet of:

Ibane Harriers & Mossgrove Harriers

Friday 19^th February – Sheahan’s Bar, Fieries, Co. Kerry

Joint meet of:

Doneraile Harriers & Cool-na-killa Harriers 

ALL MEETS AT 11.00 a.m.  

Cap  €10.00 per meet 

Hunting is on foot and the quarry is Fox  

Enquiries: Doug Mc Guinness (Hon. Sec.) 068 44645 / 087 682 9044

Paddy O’Grady (Master)  087 625 8933

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Food kindly sponsored by publicans. 

Supported Charity: The Irish Cancer Society