Countrysports Festival on way

The two day spectacular which attracted more than 20,000 visitors last year, will feature three great events in one giant festival - the National Countrysports Fair, the Finn McCool Strongman Festival featuring Ulster’s Strongest Man and the brand new Back to Our Roots Festival all of which are being staged that weekend in Moira Demesne.

In their Back to Our Roots Festival the organisers have teamed up with the Ulster Aviation Society who will display a range of items including the Grumman F4F Wildcat (WW2) Royal Navy fighter plane and will offer visitors the chance to try out an ejector seat, invented by County Down’s Sir James Martin and now fitted to all modern military aircraft.

Families will also enjoy displays of the locally invented Ferguson tractors, performances by the celebrated folk theatre ensembles the Armagh Rhymers and the process of linen manufacturing which was so prolific in Northern Ireland. There will be rural crafts, forestry, boatbuilding, fishing and farming displays and the chance to see some of Northern Ireland’s most popular delicacies produced from Irish butter churning to soda bread and champ and even a chance to sample Lough Neagh eels and pollen!

A line-up of musical acts reflecting the traditional, country and modern musical tastes of Northern Ireland will allow visitors a chance to relax and make the most of the music, food and refreshments throughout the weekend.

The already successful National Countrysports Fair will see the much anticipated return of the Cossack Horsemen to the main ring while the Phoenix Falconry Birds of Prey Display, Gundog handling demonstrations and the dog ability shows including Scruffs are always popular and big crowd favourites. There will also be a chance for the public to sample the country sports activities such as clay pigeon shooting, archery and falconry.

The Strongman Arena will stage the Finn McCool Celtic Games, where ten times UK Strongest Man Glen Ross will host two exciting days of competitions between Celtic Giants from home and abroad on Saturday 25th May and Ulster’s Strongest Man competition on Sunday 26th May. The Finn McCool Trophy will be awarded to the modern-day Giant following two days of gruelling competition that will include caber tossing, power lifting, vehicle pulling, wrestling and sheaf throwing.

Event Director, Bill Beckett says, “We are delighted that the Northern Ireland Countryside Festival is again making its return to Moira Demesne for the May Bank Holiday weekend and this year’s event promises to be the best yet. The three festivals running there over the weekend have a great variety of entertainment for people young and old, offering a fantastic day out for the whole family.

“For parents looking to keep the kids entertained over the bank holiday weekend, the Northern Ireland Countryside Festival continues to offer free entrance for children ensuring it is a cost-effective family day out,” he added.

The Northern Ireland Countryside Festival runs from 10am–6pm on Saturday and Sunday. The adult admission fee is £12 and children can go free when accompanied by an adult. Free on-site car parking is available. For further information and to book tickets online for a special 25% discounted rate please visit www.nicountryside.com

The event is supported by Lisburn City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.