Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

Last Wednesday saw the launch of the Irish Game and Country Fair, which is taking place on the 27^th and 28^th August 2011 at Birr Castle, Co. Offaly. 

During the course of the weekend there will be a superb angling village with casting competitions, tuition and displays; fantastic displays in the main arena and a wide range of stands offering a large array of items; from fine food and crafts to country clothing and guns.  In addition, there will be plenty of family entertainment including a living history village, and all within the picturesque surroundings of Birr Castle, near Birr.   

As usual, CAI will have an extensive marquee which includes the Wild Deer Association of Ireland, renowned stick carver, Lindsay Carlisle, BADA UK (promoting tick awareness), and a display on the history of grouse amongst other things.  In addition, this is the last chance to enter our free prize draw for a fantastic day out at Belle Isle Estate on Saturday 29 October 2011. 

So why not come along; we would be delighted to see you. For more information on the Irish Game and Country Fair, visit www.irishgameandcountryfair.com

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 Minister has signed 4 declarations for the 4 month period May to August 2011 for the provinces of Connaught, Leinster, Munster and the administrative counties of Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal. 

For more information click here

The West Down Beagles have hunted since 1960 in country comprising the Gilford – Banbridge – Dromore – Katesbridge – Rathfriland – Loughbrickland – Scarva – Poyntzpass area.

The pack hunts one day per week (Saturdays).

Energetic enthusiasts (male or female) are required to assist the huntsman on hunting days & with exercising hounds.

If interested please phone Wesley Wood, Master of Beagles

Tel No: 0754 783 6812 (No Text Messages Please)

Coillte are presently inviting tenders for licences to hunt deer and game on designated areas of their forest estate. 

Catalogues of available licensed area, together with tender forms and tendering instructions, are available for download here. 

The closing date for receipt of tenders is 5pm on Friday 29^th July 2011.  No tenders will be accepted after this date.  Canvassing will disqualify. 

To keep updated with future tender competitions, follow Coillte Outdoors on facebook.  

The Clay Sports Ireland League will continue at Thurles Shooting Grounds on Sunday 17^th July 2011.  It starts at 10.30am with a 20 Euro entry. 

The shooting grounds at Longford Pass, Two-Mile-Borris, will have 50 Bird Shooting and also 15 Bird DTL. 

This is a qualifier for the CSI League in which the final will be held in Naul on 2^nd October, with fantastic prizes on offer.  Bettinsolli O/U, ATA O/U, ATA semi-auto, thousands of cartridges.  Get qualified now! 

For more information, visit the Calendar of Events at www.clayshootingireland.com 

There is weekly practice of DTL and sporting on Thursday at 6.30pm.  For more details contact +353 (0) 86 0723818

Celebrity Chef Valentine Warner has written The Countryside Alliance Foundation’s new Game-to-Eat receipe leaflet, adding rabbit recipes to the traditional partridge, pheasant and venison dishes, in a first for the campaign.  This year’s recipe booklet is the biggest ever, with 16 pages of delicious innovative game recipes specially created by Valentine Warner and beautifully photographed.

Recipes include pheasant with saupiquet sauce, venison chops with creamed spinach, tandoori partridge and wild rabbit ragu. As well as the recipes the leaflet also contains information on game seasons, cooking tips and other ideas to demonstrate the versatility of game, recommending using it in brunch, as a Sunday roast or in family favourites such as shepherd’s pie. 

The Game-to-Eat campaign, now in its 11th year, is dedicated to increasing the eating and enjoyment of British wild game. Valentine Warner joins supportive chefs including Phil Vickery and Mark Hix who have also worked with the campaign to spread the word about the benefits of nature’s harvest. 

Game-to-Eat Director Alexia Robison commented: “Valentine has written some wonderful recipes which we hope will inspire people to try something different, or perhaps even try game for the first time.

The public is increasingly turning to natures own larder and opting for local, seasonal produce. Game’s credentials as healthy and nutritious contribute to its popularity and I hope that game enthusiasts and converts alike all rush to re-recreate Valentine’s delicious dishes.” 

For hard copy versions of the leaflet, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it          

Download now http://www.countrysidelliance.org.uk/gte/file/GtE%20Booklet_2011_web.pdf .

Those who run a shoot or own a shop and would like to order a number of copies to help sell game next season, can order via this link: http://www.gametoeat.co.uk/promotional-material-order

Celebrity Chef Valentine Warner has written The Countryside Alliance Foundation’s new Game-to-Eat receipe leaflet, adding rabbit recipes to the traditional partridge, pheasant and venison dishes, in a first for the campaign.  This year’s recipe booklet is the biggest ever, with 16 pages of delicious innovative game recipes specially created by Valentine Warner and beautifully photographed.

Recipes include pheasant with saupiquet sauce, venison chops with creamed spinach, tandoori partridge and wild rabbit ragu. As well as the recipes the leaflet also contains information on game seasons, cooking tips and other ideas to demonstrate the versatility of game, recommending using it in brunch, as a Sunday roast or in family favourites such as shepherd’s pie. 

The Event will be held on July 31st and will start at 12 noon. Last Entries at 5pm.

Battens disease is a rare neuro-degenerative condition that affects babies, young children and juveniles. At present, it is unfortunately always fatal. Bee for Battens is the Irish based online campaign for raising awareness and supporting those affected by Battens Diease.

Countryside Alliance Ireland is delighted to welcome Foxford Gun Club as members of our organisation.

This follows a decision made by the Club during their Annual General Meeting that was held in Bourke’s Bar, Foxford, on Friday the 8th July 2011.  

Prior to the meeting CAI’s Chief Executive, Lyall Plant, gave a presentation to the assembled members on the work of the organisation and the benefits of joining Ireland’s leading rural campaigning organisation.  

Pictured L- R: John O'Brien Lynch, Treasurer, Michael McDermott, Chairman and Lyall Plant CEO Countryside Alliance Ireland.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development have launched three 12 week consultations which deal with the welfare of animals. 

The first consultation relates to the draft Welfare of Animals (Permitted Procedures by Lay Persons) Regulations which will, for the first time, set out the procedures that are permitted to be carried out on animals by non-veterinarians. The Regulations will provide clarity to all keepers of animals by listing all acceptable procedures, many of which are commonly practised today. The Regulations propose to ban the hot branding of horses for identification purposes. Prohibited procedures will be permitted in an emergency for the purpose of saving life or relieving the pain