I’m feeling very cultured today! Irish Sporting Events are varied, with many different disciplines for whatever ticks your fancy. What they all have in common however is the connection to the land, the people and the historical traditions of Ireland.
Today I attended my first-ever Irish Sport Fair, and it was a really good time. Clubs and Organizations from all over the United Kingdom came together to show off some of lasting sports that Northern Ireland has to offer. Amongst food stands that smelled of heaven…(I had a savory ham, egg and cheese crepe handmade on site and it was divine) stands bursting with hunting jackets, sporting gear, farm accessories and bird dog tack stand around a large middle arena where Ireland’s finest come to show off their stock.
Several traditional cart-and-horse competitors were the first to show, with a bit of everything from Heavy Horse to the sprightly Hackney Cobb represented.
I then had the absolute pleasure to watch a horse and hound hunt demonstration with hunters outfitted in full regalia. It is easy to picture these gorgeous hunter-jumpers and ambitious hounds streaking through the forest for their prey. Truly a magnificent showing, and easily one of my favorite events in Northern Ireland so far!