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Every year
I attempt to find a new and exciting venue that offers that
elusive mix of both a quality experience and challenging shooting,
combined with the opportunity to visit and sample different
parts of the magnificent scenery and traditions of the British
Isles.
I am very excited about this year’s
venue! Ballywalter Park in Ireland has the perfect environment
for the traditional Driven Pheasant Shoot. This excellent
shoot was begun in the early years of the 20th Century when
the 1st Lord Dunleath planted the woods and established the
cover to create this shoot. It has attracted such famous sportsmen
as the Duke of York ( later to become King George VI ) in
1924 and the Duke of Gloucester in 1935.
Like many of the great estates, the shoot
fell into abeyance after the Second World War but was resurrected
in the 1990’s by a local syndicate. It has now been
taken back into family ownership and, since 1997, The Ballywalter
Park Shoot has been run as a traditional Driven Pheasant and
Partridge Shoot with each aspect being managed personally,
either by Lord Dunleath or by his son, William Mulholland.
 The
High Pheasant are presented flying high over the Guns, who
are positioned at pegs amidst the beautiful parkland trees
or in open pastureland, providing an exciting and challenging
shooting experience.
This exclusive shoot offers places for
only 8 Guns and the bag can be tailored to the team’s
requirements. I have secured two 300-Bird Days, plus the opportunity
for a day’s shoot on Driven Snipe in the Down Patrick
marshes of County Down. This is a fully- catered event, including
morning coffee, luncheon and afternoon tea, with drinks, as
appropriate, served in the dedicated Shoot Rooms.
All arrangements will be made and advice
given to comply with Great Britain and Irish rules to obtain
the necessary permits for bringing personal shotguns into
Northern Ireland.
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Ammunition
will be provided, but please advise of your gauge requirements
well in advance.
The party of Guns shooting at Ballywalter Park over the Driven
Days will stay in the Historically - listed Mansion House,
which offers 12 luxurious en-suite twin or double bedrooms.
Non-shooting partners are most welcome
and advice can be given on alternative attractions and places
of interest to visit. Ballywalter Park has a dedicated hospitality
team who provide full in-house dining facilities, with excellent
fare, complemented by the House Cellar’s selection of
over 2,000 bottles of fine wines.
ITINERARY
November 6th:
Arrive into London in the morning, transferring to the hotel.
Those who would like to do so can join me in a tour of the
London Gun Trade, including lunch at the oldest pub in England,
The Guinea Grill. We will rendezvous at William Evans Gunmakers
at 11AM that morning to begin the tour.
November 7th: Early morning, I
will collect you from your London hotel and drive you to the
Churchill Shooting Grounds where, after breakfast, you will
receive a morning of tuition on the High Towers, with targets
simulating High Driven Pheasant. After lunch we will have
a series of 100-Bird Flushes from the High Towers, just to
get you in the swing for the real thing later in the week.
November 8th: Travel to Belfast,
Northern Ireland, for transfer to Ballywalter Park.
November 9th: 300-Bird Driven Pheasant
Shoot at Ballywalter Park
November 10th: Driven Snipe at Down Patrick Marshes.November
11th: 300-Bird Driven Pheasant Shoot at Ballywalter Park
November 12th: Depart for home.
This complete package includes all licenses, permits, cartridges,
accommodations, sustenance, wines and liquor, shoot transport
and transfers, shooting at Churchill Shooting Grounds and
the Tour of the London Gun Trade.
Not Included: Flights, both to
and from the USA or in the UK, transfers to and from London
airports, London Hotel accommodations or meals not mentioned
in the itinerary.
Cost: $6,950.00
Non-Shooting Partners: $200.00 per night
at Ballywalter Park.
Gratuities’ for Gamekeepers, House Staff etc. are at
the suggested rates (per person):
Gamekeeper: $200 for the 3 days shooting. Housekeeping: $40
Single occupancy - $80 Double occupancy for the 4 days. |
