Downpatrick Businessman Recognised By Irish President

THE contribution to Irish tourism by Downpatrick businessman Albert Titterington has been marked with the presentation of certificates personally signed by Irish President, Michael D. Higgins.

[caption id="attachment_46635" align="alignleft" width="330"]Albert Titterington has a veritable list of successful game fairs under his belt all over Ireland. Albert Titterington has a veritable list of successful game fairs under his belt from all over Ireland.[/caption]

The honour was accorded in recognition of the valuable contribution to ‘The Gathering’ tourism initiative made by Ireland’s largest country sports and lifestyle events,  the 2013 Irish Game Fair and Flavour Fine Food Festival at Shane’s Castle in Antrim and its ‘sister’ event, The Irish Game and Country Fair at Birr Castle, Co Offaly.

Across his career Albert Titterington, Director of Great Game Fairs of Ireland, has directed more Game Fairs than any other European specialist, and has won his share of accolades, but he is nevertheless delighted at this latest honour.

Albert Titterington said:  “We were delighted to receive recognition of the important tourism role

[caption id="attachment_46637" align="alignright" width="300"]Albert Titterington with one of his feathered friends. Albert Titterington with one of his feathered friends.[/caption]

played by Great Game Fairs of Ireland within the hugely ambitious The Gathering tourism initiative.  The growth in visitor numbers, directly attributable to The Gathering in 2013, was estimated to have been worth approximately €170million in revenue and we were delighted to have helped build some of that revenue and tourism profile through our Fairs at Shanes Castle and Birr Castle.

“We are particularly pleased that the two fairs were the only country sports events to receive such recognition and that the Shane’s Castle event was one of the very few Northern Ireland events to receive such a certificate.

“This is firm and welcome evidence of the positive impact which professionally managed game and country fairs can have on the tourism economy of a locality – and I look forward, within the next few months, to collaborating with Down County Council to unveil a totally new project which will bring those benefits to my home area of Down District.”

The 2014 Irish Game Fair and Flavour Fine Food Festival will be held on 28 and 29 June and the Birr Castle event will be held over 23 – 24 August.

For further details visit:

www.irishgamefair.com    ]]>