Believe it or not, Saturday’s Castleisland based Tralee and District Canine Club Show felt the icy hand of Brexit this time out.
The show, which returned to the accommodating An Ríocht AC grounds for the first time since August 2019, saw a drop in British visitors this year.
Participation by dog breeders and lovers from our neighbouring island was curtailed by a raft of veterinary rules and regulations brought in by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government in recent times.
Veterinary Certifications
British people travelling over here to Castleisland had to have all kinds of veterinary certification including vaccinations against rabies and they’d have to face the same levels of bureaucracy on their way home.
“We have a lot of long-time friends and visitors here from across the water and people who became aware of the travel restrictions early on – but so many others were caught by the red tape around travelling with dogs imposed by Johnson’s government,” said organiser and local man Ned Burke.
Tents and Shelters and Flasks and…..
Even so, the cordoning off of stations for judges and participants was as meticulous as ever and, aided by the fine weather, cars, big cars and jeeps adapted for dogs and owners – and, seemingly, in that order – were able to take up their positions on the town park.
There were gob smacking motor-homes, tents and shelters and flasks and combs and grooming tables and hair sprays and general good humour throughout the grounds as visitors mixed with admiring locals as they prepared their prized pets for showing.
Did ye Rise Anything?
As a youngster we always had dogs at home and if you met anyone on the road or through the fields with your dog they’d most likely ask you ‘did ye rise anything’ or ‘is he a good ratter.’
Thankfully, neither of these questions crossed my mind as I took in the scene at An Ríocht on Saturday.
And anyway, the days when a terrier had to earn his keep are well gone.
The dog show is one of the great end of summer events here in Castleisland and people of the locality call up to walk around and admire the dogs on show and the dedicated care they receive from their devoted owners.
In Castleisland Since 2008
Officially known as The Tralee and District Canine Club Show, it had been running in Tralee as part of the Festival of Kerry programme for years but had been moved from post to pillar there until it found its ideal home in Castleisland and at An Ríocht in 2008.
And in spite of the disruptive, dogged efforts of the departing British PM, Mr. Johnson – which wasn’t exactly the title Ned Burke conferred on him on Saturday – there were people and accents from a broad sweep of this island and well beyond.
Ned and Maudie at the Helm
The event is tended to by a huge pool of local workers who keep the arena spotlessly clean for the duration of the day-long show.
“You won’t find a sweet-paper on the ground after them this evening. There’s a big crowd here now and you’d expect the place to be littered – but in a few hours you’d think there wasn’t a sinner here all day,” was how one man reflected on the efficiency with which the event is run by Ned and Maudie Burke and their team.
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