ON a very busy weekend for Dublin, and a most disappointing one for the capital’s football supporters, north of the city the two-day Flavours of Fingal show was staged by the local council at Newbridge House and Farm, Donabate.

Unfortunately, the morning’s rain did little to encourage the less committed to attend on Saturday, but the free buses to the show from surrounding towns kept coming and going all day and there was still a great buzz about the extensive grounds.

Earlier in the week, TV host, food writer and local resident, Donal Skehan was on hand, as Fingal County Council launched a new ‘Fingal Food and Drink Policy’ at Newbridge House and the busiest stalls at the show were those catering for the food cognoscenti. Take note, if a dipping sauce looks red hot, then it probably is!

While those of us with horses bemoan the continuing loss of farmland and open space in the county to more and more house-building, at least the Council is doing something to protect the food and drink sector with this new policy, which has a strong focus on sustainability.

Speaking at the launch, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, said: “Food and drink are significant sectors within Fingal, and it is vital that we have in place a co-ordinated, proactive and sustainable approach to their ongoing development. The launch of this policy is a positive step that will help make Fingal a leader in the agri-food sector nationally and further develop our food tourism potential.

“By adopting an innovative piece of work like this, we will be able to showcase our thriving local food culture, promote artisan produce and highlight wonderful food experiences, thereby ensuring that Fingal can be put firmly on the map as a premier culinary tourism destination.”

Ronan Griffin, chairman of the Ward Union Hunt, was one of the announcers/ commentators at last weekend's Flavours of Fingal Show at Newbridge House, but he was stationed in the Farmers’ Field, where the livestock classes were judged \ Kate McLoone

Along with a focus on sustainability, the new policy will look at helping support businesses and economic growth, develop greater food tourism experiences, engage the community on the benefits of their local food provenance, celebrate Fingal’s horticultural history and celebrate culinary excellence across the county.

For safety reasons, the horse showing rings are a bit removed from the main trade area, but the show jumping ring is more or less adjacent to it and this show provides a wonderful showcase opportunity for the sport. Hopefully, Mayor McDonagh and other members of the Council visited the horse rings over the weekend.

On Sunday, they would have seen how much equestrianism is enjoyed by younger residents of the country, who took part in the family pony classes, such as boppers and trotters, trotters and first ridden. See page 95 to read Róisín Sheridan’s reports on the main jumping classes.