Editorial Comment

Asuperb new book entitled ‘Irish Country Sports – A Heritage’ is hot off the printing press and is already being snapped up by those lining up for an early edition.

‘Irish Country Sports - A Heritage,’ is the first major publication to chart and examine the traditions, history and development of country sports across the whole of Ireland.

It’s a hugely readable book, lavishly presented and filled with a host of photos that capture the various country sports as well as a vast array of names and photos of people over the years. And you - who are reading this editorial and even this magazine - could be among them and as such be a documented part of Irish country sports history.

Launched with a fanfare in the Long Gallery Stormont, the event was attended by politicians, press and many country sports enthusiasts from the whole of Ireland.

So what’s it all about? What’s in it to interest the person who’s a shooting, hunting, fishing, dog, etc etc, enthusiast ?

Well for a start, it’s packed with contributions from some of Ireland’s most respected and committed country sports stalwarts, and the glossy volume provides a unique insight into their sporting passions and love of Ireland’s flora and fauna.

The ambitious publication maps the development of country sports and explores how they have helped to shape and preserve both the rural landscape and its culture.

The book also provides an overview of how those sports are responding to the challenges of modern lifestyles, encroaching urbanisation and changing attitudes.

‘Irish Country Sports – A Heritage’ is the brainchild of Albert Titterington, who publishes this magazine and of course is the driving force behind the internationally acclaimed Great Game Fairs of Ireland.

Albert Titterington is, amongst other things, a qualified biologist, passionate environmentalist and lifelong champion of country sports and speaking at the launch he had this to say: “Country sports are too often the subject of contention and can be both misunderstood and maligned by today’s largely urban society, but we hope that this book may go some way to redressing the balance by demonstrating how care and concern for the environment invariably go hand-in-hand with country sports.

“Unchallenged and unchecked, misdirected negativity could adversely affect our rural way of life way of life, causing this rich heritage to be profoundly diminished or even lost entirely to future generations.”

I’m sure that those sentiments are shared by many readers, not least in view of the proposed legislation that’s making its way through Stormont, the Hunting of Wild Mammals Bill, which has been introduced to the Assembly by John Blair, MLA, but I’ll turn to that in a moment.

So back to the book, and I can safely say that there’s no doubt that it will be regarded as the most important publication on traditional country sports for a generation.

‘Irish Country Sports - A Heritage’ takes an in-depth look at the major sports of hunting, shooting, and angling as well as devoting chapters to deer and deer stalking, falconry and taxidermy, game and fish food heritage and the promotion of Irish country sports, with potential benefits to tourism.

Not surprisingly, the Irish love of dogs is also extensively reflected with chapters on The Irish Kennel Club, springer and cocker spaniels, the retrieving breeds, pointers and setters and ‘HPRs’ and even legendary Irish greyhounds, lurchers and terriers.

It’s understood that there are already 130,000+ active supporters of country sports in Ireland and, as interest in the natural environment and concern for conservation increase, current thinking suggests that figure will increase.

As Albert said: “We don’t expect everyone to embrace every country sport, but we hope that even the most confirmed city-dweller may be persuaded to look with fresh eyes at the traditional sports and pursuits which have endured for so many generations, operating across all divides, and bringing people of all ages, classes and creeds together though a love of their sports and the countryside.”

The book, chronicles a huge countrywide enthusiasm for county sports which enthusiasts believe will help secure the survival of entire rural ecosystems and all within them.

‘Irish Country Sports - A Heritage’ is published by Country Lifestyle Exhibitions Ltd and printed by WG Baird, is now available directly from the publishers on 028 4483 9167, email irishcountrylifestyle@btinternet.com at £40/€50 including P&P.

As to the so-called ‘Blair Bill,’ when I was talking to those present at Stormont, unsurprisingly, I didn’t hear one word in its support, rather I heard it described as ill thought through, confusing, impossible to police and an unmitigated disaster for the farming community, as was the case when early on the Ulster Farmers Union condemned it out of hand. What would it mean, for example to a sheep farmer in the Glens of Antrim, trying to protect stock on the mountainside? I heard example after example, including wise words from a couple of pest controllers who said that if the law was changed would they be expected to use poison along with all its negative aspects, rules and regulations? What was to become of horses and hounds? Hunt staff, would they be out of a job, not to mention the farriers, blacksmiths, clothing manufacturers, etc? What about the bloodstock horse trade, what would it mean for racing?

When the topic came to enforcement of the proposed changes, people raised their eyes, wondering what would happen if a hunt crossed from the ROI to NI and back again in border counties? Breaking the law, not breaking the law? What would it mean for the already hard pressed police forces - in both jurisdictions?

That’s only the briefest of reports on the views held by the folk at the book launch and I managed to get a number of hard hitting interviews to be included on the next Virtual Game Fair Live streaming event planned for the 12th December 14.30 –17.00. Full programme will be published on https://www.thevirtualgamefair.com/live/ and if you missed the last Live Stream you can see it on www.youtube.com/channel/ UCZwsE_EUmvu2xZvmwuq5CzA/featured