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Club History Page

The club was first founded on April 21 1970 and has taken an active part in all association activities ever since. Club members are drawn from all walks of life with most from the immediate area. Membership in the 70s was high with between 50 and 70 members been recorded. Fees were £2 per person. Our highest membership was the season 1980/81 when 82 persons paid a fee of £7 to join. Indicative of the times perhaps !. Today club fees are 80 euro and membership has remained constant at approx 40 members.

Pheasant release pens were first constructed in 1970 when four were built. These were located on lands belonging to Denis O Brien, David John O Brien, Larry Lonergan and Bud Cummins who also cared for the birds until released. A fifth pen was constructed in 1972 for Michael Olden in seven acres.In the early eighties all these pens were rewired and timbers replaced. Between 1989 and 1991 four pens were constructed with frames of steel.

In 1994 our bird rearing methods were changed when it was decided to build one large release pen in a permanent position. This pen was constructed during the summer evenings around an old existing orchard containing apple trees, blackcurrent bushes and box hedging. It covers an area of 7000 square feet and is over 17 foot high in the center. It has proven ideal as it is in a very natural environment and birds thrive here.

On release day all members are requested to report to the pen and they are given an allocation of pheasants each to release in their own area. This method ensures a wide distribution of birds in the club area.