Irish Country Sports – A Heritage is the first major publication to identify and examine the traditions, history and development of country sports throughout Ireland.

Filled with contributions from some of Ireland’s most respected and engaged mainstays of country sport, the glossy volume offers a unique glimpse into their sporting passions and love of Ireland’s flora and fauna. This ambitious publication maps the development of country sports and explores how they have helped shape and preserve both the rural landscape and its culture. The book also provides insight into how these sports respond to the challenges of modern lifestyles, increasing urbanization and changing attitudes.

Launching the book, publisher Albert Titterington, trained biologist, avid environmentalist and long-time country sports champion, said: ‘Country sports are too often the subject of controversy and can be both misunderstood and slandered. by today’s largely urban society, but we hope this book can help to restore the balance in some way by demonstrating how caring and concern for the environment invariably goes hand in hand with country sports. Unchallenged and uncontrolled misdirected negativity could harm our rural way of life, causing

this rich heritage is either deeply diminished or even entirely lost for future generations. As a community, we are passionate about protecting our landscapes and waters – not only so that we can enjoy the sporting activities we have chosen, but also to bring many tangible benefits to habitats and native species. As this book demonstrates, the strong code of ethics of country sports enthusiasts gives a legacy of improved environments with great improvements for a wide range of flora and fauna in our fields, streams and wild places. Basically, this involves the action of individuals, sports clubs and the various organizing associations. Because we are constantly on the move and in contact with nature, we see and understand what is happening in our beloved countryside. We don’t

just talk about the need for conservation and biodiversity, we are taking action.

Considered the most important publication on traditional country sports for a generation, ‘Irish Country Sports – A Heritage’ takes an in-depth look at the major sports of hunting, shooting and angling, as well as dedicated chapters deer and stag hunting, falconry and taxidermy, game and fish food heritage and the promotion of Irish country sports, with potential benefits for tourism.

Unsurprisingly, the Irish love of dogs is also widely reflected with chapters on the Irish Kennel Club, Springer and Cocker Spaniels, Salvage breeds, Pointers and Setters and “HPRs” and even the legendary Greyhounds, Irish lurchers and terriers.

The book, soon to be launched in RoI, chronicles enormous enthusiasm across the country for county sports that enthusiasts believe will help ensure the survival of entire rural ecosystems and all that they contain. .

Albert Titterington said: “We believe there are already over 130,000 active country sports fans in Ireland and, as interest in the natural environment and concern for conservation increases, we believe this figure will increase. We don’t expect everyone to embrace all country sports, but we hope that even the most seasoned city dweller can be persuaded to take a fresh look at the traditional sports and activities that have endured for so many generations, operating across all cleavages, and bring together people of all ages, classes and creeds through love for their sports and the countryside.

‘Irish Country Sports – A Heritage’, published by Country Lifestyle Exhibitions Ltd and printed by WG Baird, is now available from publishers on 028 4483 9167, e-mail: [email protected] at £ 40 / € 50 including postage.