Festival of rural life
The festival was organised by the 10,000-strong Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI) with the National Association of Regional Game Councils, the Irish Federation of Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers and the Irish Deer Society.
Exhibits covered a range of activities including angling, shooting and hunting as well as falconry, rural crafts and local produce through Slow Food Ireland with Cahir Farmers Market.
One of the most popular attractions over the two days was the horse riding displays in battlere-enactments by Ukrainian Cossacks, who recently finished filming the King Arthur movie in Co Wicklow.
CAI director of political affairs Gordon Anderson said such festivals were a morale booster, especially when the countryside was changing so much.
Mr Anderson said the CAI campaigned in regard to member concerns for the countryside, field sports and the rural way of life. “Field sports are at the core of what we do but we do get involved in wider rural issues,” he said.
