Swords - Around The Parking Lot

Outside in the parking lots were vendors selling at tables and even out of their car trunks!

After the show on Sunday, Robert and Jacqueline Bennett picked us up and we went to stay with them until Friday at their lovely home near Comber which is near Belfast in Northern Ireland. Long before we reached their home, my cheeks were sore from laughing so much!

On the way we stopped to see Joanne and Robert McKibbin and their fantastic collection of animals.

Swords - Falling In Love With The Irish Fancy

One of the reasons I chose to attend the Swords Show was its large entry of Irish Fancy. And I was not disappointed as they had nearly 350 Champion entries and another 150 Novice entries and two great judges, D. Perryman judged Champion and G. McGee judged Novice and then after completing their sections they worked together and placed the winners!

During the judging from basically 9 am to 3 pm , I mostly stood behind Dave and watch him work the birds on the table and careful place the top seven in each Champion class. Patiently he answer any of my concerns regarding placements and quickly I was able to make adjust and consistently match his. He is an excellent judge, intent, precise and consistent and a very effective teacher.

 Wow how beautiful!

Once each judge has their winners, they conferred to make the final placements.

Best Irish Fancy was exhibited by Champion Breeder P. Brogan.  Click back and froth from the poster picture to the winner.  Is that not a perfect match?? Wow!!! It was love at first site!!!

 2nd Best Irish Fancy, also lovely, was exhibited by Novice Breeder G. Croke Notice the difference in position at rest and then upright after the judge scratches on the bench to call it to attention!

Best and 2nd Best Junior Irish Fancy was exhibited by T. Hogan

 

 Each year Peter Sherlock, with an assistant, takes 100 birds from Ireland to the World Show!

Swords - Around the Hall

Artwork by local students was displayed around the room

Best Bengalese Exhibited by M. Kinchella

Best Zebra Exhibited by C. Ebbs

The show catalog shows all classes and identifies the exhibitors of each entry. This is possible since they do not use cage numbers but rather each entry is identified by class and assigned number in that class, such as class 204 lists 1 T. Watson, 2 T. Lacey, 3 L. O'Reilly. The cages with winners are all displayed by class on show stands with placement marked on the cage label. Makes it very easy to compare birds and their placement. Ribbons are limited to big winners and are placed on cages after all judging is complete so it is easy to find the big winners too. The catalog supplement, winners per class, is available when the public is admitted (3 pm on Sat).

Don't Miss The Lizard Canary Seminar at National Cage Bird Show

Old Variety Canary Association Presents Jim Pickel "Lizard Canary" Crown Plaza Hotel 33 E. Fifth, Dayton, OH  45402 Thursday, November 20th, 2014 6 PM RSVP at oscar23@aol.com

Swords Show - Impressive Fifes

Over 300 fife canaries were shown at the Swords Show and the quality was amazing! Fifes are rapidly gaining popularity in Ireland!

 Best Fife Canary in Show exhibited by M. Smith