Live llambing causes shear excitement in Dunderry

The birth of a lamb in the middle of Dunderry Fair on Sunday generated great excitement among the huge crowds that attended. There were all sorts of attractions from a funfair, live music and dancing, a country market and all sorts of sideshows, but the ewe who gave birth to her lamb caused the greatest commotion of the day - and both mother and baby are doing very well. The rain held off on Sunday and huge crowds once again flocked to Dunderry, which was reminiscent of an old-style street fair, with rare breeds of many animals on display, and many more for sale. Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses were on the streets and trading was brisk. There was a country market with all kinds of home produce and vegetables on display and for sale. There was big demand for the colconnan and fried eggs which were cooked at the fair - a total of 1,500 eggs were fried and eaten throughout the day. The horse trainer, Texas Ollie, delighted the crowds as his horses gave a great performance. Among those working and displaying their wares were a tinsmith, sheep-shearer, farrier and leather-maker and the ICA were on hand to provide tea to thirsty customers. Three stages played host to variety of music and dancing. Matt Leavy and Charlie Arkins and Old Stagecoach delighted the crowd, which went wild when Crystal Swing took to the stage. A variety of performers entertained the crowd with traditional music, Irish dancing, set dancing and ceili dancing. The Navan Strictly Come Dancing winners, Gus Martyn and Katheleen Callan, also delighted the crowds with a display. A total of 205 stewards kept everything running smoothly throughout the day and the organisers thanked the gardai, local landowners and the GAA for their help and assistance. The event has raised over €200,000 for various charities over the past eight years and charities that will benefit in 2011 are Meath River Rescue, Navan Red Cross, the Society for Irish Autism and the Gary Kelly Cancer Care Centre. The winner of the award for the Best Dressed Man was Barney Thornton, while the Best Dressed Lady was Marie Dowd. Lisa Brennan won the title of Little Miss Dunderry, and the runner-up was Amilie Treacy. Little Master Dunderry was Conor Bowman and the runners-up were Jack and Tadgh Dowd. The winners in the bonny baby competition were Megan McDonagh in the under-six months section, while Patrick Freeman won the six- to 12-month category. Jack Winters won the category for babies aged one to two. The Peter Smith Memorial Trophy for the best turned-out animal went to Peter Caffrey for his horse.