Despite the weather conditions fanciers from across Ireland flocked to Dublin for the Annual Charity Show held at the Irish Kennel Club close to Dublin Airport on Saturday 8th November. I arrived in the afternoon before the prize presentation and soon met up with President Eugene Fitzgerald and Show Secretary Mick O’Driscoll. The place was busy a top sale upstairs always a major attraction and all trade stands many with birds reporting good business. Following the presentation of the show awards we have in the main area the charity sale, auctioneer as usual Kevin Doyle. Charity Cheques presented at the show included 2,000 Euro to St Michael’s House, 1,000 Euro to Laura Lin and 1,000 Euro to Peita House. Very well done to all concerned, pigeon fanciers are always to the fore where charity is concerned across the Island of Ireland. Lofts from up North again dominated the show classes, 7 x 1sts for T & K Mawhinney (Donaghcloney), 4 x 1sts for Rouke & Christie (Ballymoney), 2 x 1sts for W & N Gilbert (Ballymena) and 1 x 1st for J Douglas & Son (Lurgan). The Mawhinney loft took the cup for Most Points but missed the other two big ones with Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex going to Rouke & Christy, their first time to lift these awards. Winners were: Class 1 Old Cock Flown Channel – D Emerson, Class 2 Old Hen Flown Channel – T & K Mawhinney, Class 3 Old Cock Flown – W & N Gilbert, Class 4 Old Hen Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 5 Young Cock Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 6 Young Hens Flown – T & K Mawhinney, Class 7 AA Hen/Cock Eye-sign – C Maples, Class 8 Old Cock T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 9 Old Hen T/W – P McArdle, Class 10 Young Hen T/W – W & N Gilbert, Class 11 Young Cock T/W – T & K Mawhinney, Class 12 Matched Pairs – J Douglas & Son, Class 13 Colour Class – T & K Mawhinney, Class 14 Show Racer Young Hen – Rouke & Christie, Class 15 Show Racer Young Cock – Rouke & Christie, Class 16 Late Bred Hen or Cock – P McArdle, Class 17 Show Racer OC Unflown – Rouke & Christie, Class 18 Show Racer OH Unflown – Rouke & Christie. The judges were – Lee Fribbins, Tom Boland, Gerry Marley, Terry Craggs, Jack Cockcroft, Sonny Galloway, Harry Moore, Jim Fitzpatrick, Alan Spedding, Keith & Matt Arkness, and Mark Johnston. Gifts were presented to fanciers who have assisted at the show over the last number of years, namely Sonny Galloway and Terry Craggs. The main sponsor of the show was Sean Hunt and family owners of The Corn Store, they even purchased new pens. Others behind the scenes who gave valuable service included Gerry Daly, J Byrne, M O’Connor and Ben O’Hannigan.
The winning birds and trophies BIS & BOS at Dublin Show with Show Secretary Mick O'Driscoll.
President Eugene Fitzgerald (l) presents the Best in Show at Dublin.
The Best Opposite Sex presentation.
The happy team from North Antrim Rouke & Christie.
Top Points winner yet again Timmy Mawhinney.
Main sponsors the Hunt Family from Corn Store with Show Secretary Mick O'Driscoll.
W & N Gilbert from Ballymena won two classes.
Kevin Douglas from Lurgan Social winner of Matched Pairs.
C Maples was winner of Class 7 Any Age Hen/Cock Eyesign.
P McArdle was winner of Classes 9 & 16.
Special presentation was made to Terry Craggs at Dublin Show.
Long time helper and supporter Sonny Galloway.
Charity cheque presentation to St Michaels House.
Peita House collected a cheque for 1,000 Euros.
Henry McLaughlin from Coalisland, Blue Devil Lofts.
Visitors from Kells & Dist from (l) Harry Boyd, Brian Swann, Jeff Surgenor and club secretary Mervyn Gregg.
Willy & Nicola Gilbert from Drumtara Lofts.
From Larne Noel Percy and Brian McCammon.
Dublin fancier Dave Ward with North Coast Classic.