A record attendance of over 6,500 turned out for the 2018 Dowth Point to Point and Country Fair in Co. Meath on Sunday, October 28, for the annual day of racing, food and family fun.
Organised and sponsored by agri-technology company Devenish in conjunction with the Meath Hunt and Tara Harriers, the event celebrated what it dubbed ‘the very best of country life‘ and some of Ireland’s leading amateur racing talent.
Six point-to-point races took place over three miles throughout the day, with the Tattersalls Ireland four year old Geldings Maiden won by ‘Clondaw Hollow’, trained by Michael Goff and ridden by Shane Fitzgerald.
This was the second win in the race for the pair, having teamed up in 2017 with ‘Good Man Jim’ that went on to make £360,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham horses in training sales several weeks later.
This year’s event ambassador Jamie Codd entered the winner’s enclosure after guiding the Richard Brabazon trained ‘Smooth Spoon’ around the course to win the Boyd’s Stores six year old+ Geldings Maiden.
Meath trainer Peter Flood joined him as he picked up the James Gogarty Stone Winners of One Race with ‘Major Davis’, his third Dowth win in the event’s four-year history.
Regional Food and Drinks
As well as an adrenaline fuelled day of sports, guests feasted upon top quality regional food and drinks within the ‘Discover Boyne Valley flavours’ marquee. They also bought locally made arts and crafts in the shopping village.
Meath-raised and internationally renowned chef Richard Corrigan hosted a game masterclass to a large audience at the food theatre. Chefs Eoin Gilchrist and Kris Kodric from Tankardstown House, Hugh Maguire Butchers and Peter Whelan of The Whole Hogg also shared their culinary expertise.
Younger visitors to the Point to Point and Country Fair revelled in carving pumpkins for Halloween, having their faces painted, taking pony rides and watching puppet and magic shows.
Mobile Farm
The crowds enjoyed the exhibits of Maperath mobile farm, Newgrange falconry, and The Deer Society. The Slane GFC skills zone also was a big draw.
Canines joined the craic, with the Dowth dog show bringing together pooches of all sizes. The overall winner was golden retriever Juno and handler Michaela Dillon.
Owen Brennan, executive chairman of Devenish, said that the Dowth Point to Point and Country Fair was a hugely enjoyable celebration of rural living.
“This event has been a wonderful opportunity to bring people of all ages together at the historic setting of Dowth to enjoy the very best of our local heritage – our food, our sporting talent and great sense of family and community,” he said.