Meat eaters enjoy GPA annual wild game feast
THE Dundalk & District Game Protection Association hosted their annual Game Meat Feast night which featured everything from pheasant, wild duck, snipe, woodcock, woodpigeon, venison, game trout to salmon on its platter and a huge collection of people had turned out in Byrne’s of Hill Street specially for the occasion.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with Hon Treasurer John Toal from Hughes Park who told me the night was a celebration meal of the best that Louth has to offer and all monies raised on the night will go to their two chosen charities this year, Dundalk Sub Aqua Club and the Lourdes Pilgrimage Helpers.
I then decided to have a look round to see who was there and met up with Vinny O’Connell from Manydown Close and Dean Kerins from Kells and Vinny told me he does the lot, fishing, hunting and shooting and said they were expecting an awesome meal.
Not too far away I then got talking to Larry Muckian from Hughes Park and Davy Byrne from Marian Park who assured me that if I stuck around I would get a lovely meal for certain.
Heading for an adjacent table I then met up with Emma and Nigel Muckian from Dromiskin who were representing Ardee Clay Pigeon Club who were sitting with the lady who was responsible for all the baking on the night May Muckian from Hughes Park who was really looking forward to the night.
They were enjoying the company of Margaret Conlon from Hughes Park, Amy-Rose O’Connor from Lower Ard Easmuinn, Hannah Muckian from Hughes Park and Niamh O’Rourke from Darver who assured me that when they all get together it as going to be a mad night for sure.
After this I headed over for a chat with Padraic McComish from Belfry Avenue who was with his son Ben, Therese Jeffers from Muirhevnamor, Aoife McComish and Jake Byrne both from Annagassan, Sam Green from Norfolk who is partial to a bit of shooting himself and was really looking forward to a good evening amongst friends.
Not too far away I got a word with Catriona Harrison from Ard Easmuinn who was with Pauline, Tiernan and Dervla Murphy from Pearse Park who were with Pauline’s husband Eamonn who is involved with the club and was busy making sure the night ran smoothly.
At an adjacent table I then met Eamonn’s mum and sister Margaret and Louise Murphy from Park Drive and Wolfe Tone Terrace who couldn’t wait for the meal and wanted to wish the club all the best with their fundraiser.
Heading for another group I then met up with Anthony and Jacqui Lynch from Castletown Road who told me they were there for the “rough game” and were in the company of David and Catherine Wallace from Willow Grove who were really looking forward to the meal and were exceptionally hungry when I caught up with them.
Also in their company were Pat and Doreen Rankin from Castletownmount who were with Kate and Paddy Mackin from Annagassan. Doreen told me the lads thought it was just a fishing night, but were now going to have to settle for the game instead.
Finally, before I departed I caught up with some of the Sub Aqua club who were there t support the night and were very appreciative of the monies donated by the D.&D.G.P.A. and they included Joanne Murphy from Demesne Road, club chairperson April Dillon from Newtownbalregan, Nessa Duggan from Blackrock, Stephen O’Reilly from Hackballscross, Sorcha Brophy from Blackrock, Dean Ferguson from Lower Faughart, who were with Frances Lambe from Allardstown, Margaret McCarthy from Point Road, Jim McCloskey from Inch Island and Lisa Reason from Lemington who were all having a fantastic night and wanted to wish the club all the best with their night.