The Organisers

Many countrysports people were extremely concerned to hear the demise of the National Country Fair at Emo, but four of the most experienced Game Fair organisers in Ireland and indeed the world, stepped in to provide the expertise and commitment necessary to launch a new and sustainable Irish Game Fair.

David Wilkinson, Philip Lawton, Albert and Irene Titterington make up what is quite literally a "dream" team in terms of countrysports commitment and organisational and marketing experience and expertise. This directorial team have worked closely with host Lord Rosse, and local and national sporting, commercial and tourism interests to develop an event comparable with the best fairs staged anywhere in the world. In just 7 years the fair has developed under the Great Game Fairs of Ireland brand to be with, its partner fair at Shanes Castle, the two largest game or country fairs in Ireland. It is widely regarded as the national game fair of the south of Ireland.

Albert Titterington

Albert brings to the team, creative marketing flair, vast event organising experience and a lifetime's commitment to the promotion and enjoyment of all countrysports.

He was born in Belfast and educated at Liverpool University (BSc Natural Science); The University of Ulster (DMS, DipM) and QUB (MBA and top student overall). Albert was not only founder and director of the first major Irish Game Fair at Clandeboye in 1979, but also a Director of the National Town and Country Fair, at Slane, Co Meath, and organiser of Printing, Technology, Educational, Security and Pharmaceutical exhibitions throughout the UK. He is currently a Director of the award winning Irish Country Lifestyle Festival at Shanes Castle, Co.Antrim.

A Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the Queens University of Belfast for 22 years, Albert's marketing flair and expertise has been recognised by the demand for his consultancy services both locally and throughout the world with organisations such as the World Bank, the EU, DTI, DFID and The Asian Development Bank. He has completed assignments in Indonesia, Cuba, Moldova, Belarus, France and Georgia. He currently lectures on the University of Liverpool's international internet MBA

Albert is actively involved in running a shoot, stalking and in gundogs through his chairmanship and presidency of the Ulster Golden Retriever Club and Ruadth Kennel of working golden retrievers and Gordon setters. He has been the publisher of several country orientated books and conservation articles, facilitated the BBC series The Peer and the Park, and was the publisher of Ireland's longest continuously published country sports magazine which has now been subsumed into his current publications Irish Countrysports and Country Life magazine and internet portal. We think it is fair to say that few if any Game or Country fair organisers anywhere in the world would have either Albert's wide range of experience or marketing ability. This year he celebrated his 50th game fair at Shanes Castle and Birr is his 51st.

David Wilkinson

Brings a strong farming, rural conservation, field sports and event organising background to the team. Born in Dublin, David was educated at Sandford Park and Gurteen Agricultural College. He is a farmer and farm conservation award winner as well as an event manager.

An active member of The Irish Farmers Association having held a number of national positions and was county chairman in Meath for several years and is currently on the national forestry committee. A strong supporter of rural life he represented his county on the national rural development committee and was chairman of his local community group and a founder board member of the first Leader Company in Meath.

David is currently a board member of the governing council of The RDS and sits on the agriculture committee. He is very actively involved in promoting field sports and conservation through events and association membership such as The Game Conservancy Trust. A previous chairman of The Master of Harriers Association, currently a committee member and is Chairman and joint Master of The Tara Harriers, one of the oldest harrier packs on these islands. A founder member of the Hunting Association of Ireland, and is currently hunting with hounds director of FACE Ireland.

David has a great love for all field sport's, he enjoys his rough shooting and is a member of The Moyode Woodcock Shoot and a member of his local angling club in south Meath. His fishing takes him to all parts of Ireland particularly The Owenduff in Mayo and 'The Corrib' in Co.Galway.

He was a Director of The National Country Fair at it's conception in Birr Castle and then a Director of The Markree Castle Game and Country Fair held in Sligo IN 2005 and 2006. He also managed the 2006 World Casting Championships in 2006. He is currently a director of The Irish Forestry, Woodland & Bio Energy Show which is held bi-annually.

Philip Lawton

Philip is well known throughout Ireland and the UK for his love and promotion of all countrysports through his authorship of regular articles on Irish country and sporting life. Philip brings to the team a deep commitment and knowledge of all countrysports, good PR and communication skills and extensive event management experience.

He was born in Dublin in 1952, educated at The King's Hospital and worked in the insurance industry specialising in engineering underwriting and risk management.

He is currently Irish Correspondent for The Countryman's Weekly and Republic of Ireland Editor for Irish Countrysports and Country Life Magazine. Philip has been fishing since a child and shooting nearly as long.

He gives committed support to all legal fieldsports and has been involved in various groups protecting and promoting fieldsports including being currently the Honorary Secretary to Countryside Ireland and a founder member of the Celtic Stickmakers Club.

He has had a very visible presence as Main Arena Director at the Markree Game and Country Fair and apart as being Director of the Birr event also acts as arena director at the fairs at Ballywalter, Shanes Castle and Birr Castle - as well as appearing in a 'starring role' in at least two of the arena acts!

Irene Titterington

Born in Belfast, Irene Titterington brings to the show exemplary administration skills gained in management positions within the insurance industry (Royal Exchange), health service (Belfast City Hospital) and Titterington family! Irene has provided the back up for teams in over 30 years of organising major exhibitions, publishing, events and promotions.

She is currently the deputy editor of Irish Countrysports and Country Life magazine and a Director of the award winning Country Lifestyle Festival.

While Irene actively supports all countrysports her main interest is in helping Albert with his Ruadth kennel of Golden Retrievers and Gordon Setters, and in facilitating countrysports events although she does enjoy occasional clay pigeon shooting.

With such a team in place, the support of the Great Game Fairs of Ireland's highly experienced team, a team of event organising clubs and a superb venue in Birr Castle, provided by most dedicated and proactive hosts, Lord & Lady Rosse and with your support, the Irish Game and Country Fair has rapidly established itself as Ireland's national game and country fair and together with the Irish Game Fair at Shanes Castle have become fairs of truly international status.

The Irish Game and Country Fair at Birr Castle and the Irish Game Fair and Country Lifestyle Festival at Shanes Castle are promoted under The Great Game Fairs of Ireland brand. The Irish Game Fair and the Irish Game and Country Fair are registered trademarks.

See www.irishgamefair.com
To contact the organisers call 028 (from ROI 048) 44615416 E: irishgamefair@btinternet.com