Newtown Dog Show and Family Fun Day

13th year of popular fundraiser

It’s that time of the year again to get your four-legged friend spruced up for the Newtown Dog Show and Family Fun Day.

The event, now in its 13th successful year, will again be held in Barry's Field, Newtown, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5.

Funds raised will be split equally between two local groups, Burgess/Duharra Camogie Club and Arra Rovers Football Club, both of whom have such a positive impact upon the lives of the local community.

Competition will take place in a comprehensive range of show classes this year: Best Large Breed, Best Terrier, Best Working/Utility Dog or Bitch, Best Small Dog/Bitch; Best Gundog/Bitch; Best Rescue Dog/Bitch; Best Puppy under nine months; Best Veteran Dog/Bitch over six years; Best Dog; Best Bitch; Best Child Handler (for owners 12 years and younger).

TROPHIES

Beautiful crystal trophies will be presented to the Overall Show Champion and Reserve Champion, with the Martin McCarthy Memorial Cup also being presented to the Show Champion.

For the first time, the Jim Barry Memorial Cup, sponsored by the Barry Family in Newtown, will be presented to the winner of the Best Gundog class. The late Jim, who sadly passed away earlier this year, was one of the founders and officer members of the Dog Show, which has been a major social occasion for the community for well over a decade.

Rosettes will be awarded to 1st to 4th places in each class. Entry costs €6 per class and the entry fee for three classes is €15.

There was a record number of entries across the various classes last year, and two show rings will be available again this year to ensure that the event runs smoothly on the day.

To get competition off to a prompt start, the show committee has decided that registration for entries will commence at 11.30am, with the show itself starting at 1pm.

A draw for a full tractor trailer of logs and a car trailer of logs will take place on the day, so watch out for the cards being sold locally, with individual lines again only €2 each, and three lines for just €5. As part of the raffle, there will be many other great prizes on offer.

ENTERTAINMENT

Sponsors and backers, both old and new, have again been generous in their support of the event. There will be lots of games of skill, interesting stalls, and activities for all the family, as well as refreshments both on-site and in the village in both Barry's Coffee Dock and the Skyfarmers Bar/Restaurant. The burger stall on the site, which was such a big hit last year, will also be back.

All the usual favourites will be at the show again, with a special emphasis on children's entertainment. Among the attractions will be vintage farm machinery and Nenagh Brass Band will be performing - it’s an event that encompasses literally “all the fun for the fair”.

FREE ENTRY

As before, entry to Barry's Field for the show will be free, and it is hoped that the bucket collection at the gate will again be generously supported for the benefit of the two very deserving causes, the local camogie club and soccer club.

Burgess/Duharra Camogie Club caters for over 100 girls from U6 to adult senior level, fielding teams in ten different grades.

With all the club's success comes major financial commitments, and, in that respect, the funding raised from the dog show greatly helps to alleviate some of the ever-increasing costs of registrations, insurance, County Board levies, hurleys, sliotars and other necessary playing equipment.

Meanwhile, Arra Rovers FC is also a thriving local club that has been in existence for over three decades. The club began in 1986 with a single senior team. In 2002 the juvenile part of the club was started with initially only one team (U10) and today it has teams covering all ages, ranging from U8 to U16 and youths. As Arra Rovers are ever expanding, they rely on fundraising to sustain, build and develop the club's future for generations to come.

Even at this late stage, the show committee is happy to hear from anyone who would like to discuss booking the limited remaining space for their stalls.

Please telephone committee member Paul Henry of the camogie club (087-2034561) or Dermot O' Halloran of the soccer club (086-6012390).

Mark your diary for Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, to ensure you don't miss out on the great fun day for the whole family at North

Tipperary’s premier dog show.