Diary Date: The Irish Kennel Club announces Festival of Dogs Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th May 2022 at Leopardstown Racecourse – Bring Your Dog!
When: Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th May 2022
Where: Leopardstown Racecourse (Just Off the M50)
Time: 10am – 5pm Each Day
The Irish Kennel Club (IKC), a volunteer organisation championing ethical dog breeding, celebrate their Centenary year in 2022 with a full programme of special events.
They are delighted to announce their first event, Festival of Dogs, which kicks off Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th May in Leopardstown Racecourse and promises to be a great weekend for the whole family including your dog!
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet over 50 different breeds from around the world, including Ireland’s very own 9 native breeds, which have only recently been granted heritage status.
The IKC will also be launching their Golden Paws Hero Dog Award at this event with the winner to be announced later in the year. This award is bestowed to a special canine superhero for acts of bravery in the field.
Meet the experts and get advice on nutrition, rearing and training, check out the fashion show ‘Dogs on the Catwalk’ and watch Ireland’s top dog groomers work their magic live on The Urban Dog Stage.
The Dream Dog Exhibition showcases Irish school children’s creative imaginings of their perfect pooch, while the Canine Art Exhibition includes artworks from some of Ireland’s top painters, photographers and stain glass artists.
So don’t miss out this paw-some day out for the whole family! Book your tickets now at https://www.ikc.ie/
Irish Native Breed Shows Dog Parades Ask the Experts Field Trials Dogs on the Catwalk Urban Dog Stage Dream Dog Exhibition Canine Art Exhibition Agility and Obedience Displays Seminar on Kerry Blue Terriers Breed Village Trade Village
Admission Prices:
Adults: €10.00
Children/OAP’s: €5.00
Family Ticket: €20.00
Dogs go Free! (If accompanied by a paying adult)
Free Car Parking! Junction 15 M50 South
More information: https://www.ikc.ie/
Prebook Tickets - https://shop.ikc.ie/collections/festival-of-dogs-tickets
About The Irish Kennel Club
The Irish Kennel Club promotes the responsible ownership and ethical breeding of dogs throughout Ireland through education, registration, training and support schemes and events. The Irish Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Scheme helps educate dog owners and develop dogs into happy, loyal and well-behaved companions. The Good Citizen Test is offered by approved clubs and training classes, ensuring a high standard of training for owners.
A Very Interesting History
Before the foundation of the Irish Kennel Club, all dog events in Ireland were held under licence from the English Kennel Club. However, the recently founded Dublin Irish Blue Terrier Club – which included Michael Collins and Oliver St. John Gogarty among its members – broke with this system by holding the first breed show outside the English club’s jurisdiction on October 16, 1920.
Attendees included figures from both sides of the independence divide, including Captain Wyndham Quinn from the Vice Regal Lodge in the Phoenix Park, and the Under Secretary for Ireland, Sir James McMahon. They witnessed a show featuring dogs such as ‘Convict 224’ (Michael Collins’ dog), Trotsky, Munster Fusilier, and Markavich, presided over by judges Con O’Herlihy and Dan Nolan. From those colourful beginnings sprang the Wyndham Quinn Perpetual Cup, which is still awarded to this day, and the Michael Collins Perpetual Cup.
The event led to a further show featuring other breeds on Saint Patrick’s Day 1921 in the Concert Rooms of Dublin’s North Brunswick Street. That show’s success spurred the foundation of the Irish Kennel Club on January 20 1922. The freedom fighters who drove the club’s foundation reached across the political divide once again, electing independence opponent and dog lover Justice Henry Hanna as the Chairman. The first meeting of An Ard Chomhairle (Council) took place on the 3rd February 1922.
Issued by AE Consulting on behalf of The Irish Kennel Club
