Niall Barry

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This month we go to the Emerald Isle to meet up with one of the many Irish Men that have joined The Federation this year. I first met up with Niall when he came up to me at the Swansea show 18 months ago. He wanted to talk pigeons and was interested in purchasing some. I explained to him that by January that’s the time of the Swansea show I am normally down to numbers with no spare birds. This he accepted but still wanted to come and see me at the end of my breeding season. Of course this meant to me that Niall was a serious player so of course I encouraged him and sure enough end of breeding season saw Niall knocking at my door. Niall is a very likeable character, no to pushy and wanting to learn, he went away with five pairs of birds and one very big smile on his face.

Let me tell a little bit more about Niall he is just 31 years old a self employed Carpenter and comes from a family of five having three brothers and one sister. In 1996 he married Joan and last year they had a son called Gareth and of course Niall has already made up his mind that he will play for Manchester United one day. Gareth’s birthday is in June a day I cannot forget because it’s the same as mine (this makes Gareth a Gemini, some say split personality but I don’t think so). I have already mentioned Niall’s one big failing in that he supports Manchester United (what’s the matter with Bristol City Niall – DW) so much so that he has made more than one visit to see them play. Football plays a big part in Niall’s life and two years ago he took up managing a local football team with a few friends. He also enjoys playing Golf but even Niall will admit he a fine weather golfer. I do have a surprise for you what with Niall being Irish he does enjoy a few social pints as he puts it.

Let cut out this babbling and ask the questions that I think you have all got used to by now.

A. I was born and grew up in Bandon and most of my work is based in the Bandon area. So I never felt any need to leave. So Joan and myself decided to build a house in Bandon and have lived there since 1996.

A. I kept pigeons in my early teens when a few friends and myself got our hands on some racing pigeons. That did not last long but as a result I always had a fondness for pigeons and when I finally built my own home I decided three years ago to take up the hobby again as I had plenty of room in the garden which allowed me to build a loft.

A. I started with muffed Irish Tumblers but shortly afterwards purchased a few West of England Tumblers and Birmingham Rollers.

A. For a while I had a kit of performing Rollers which I flew out regularly but eventually a combination of work and trouble from a hawk stopped me from giving the birds the time they required..

A. At present I have a nice stud of Clean Legged Long Faced Tumblers. I have 11 pairs in Black self’s, Teagers and a pair of Whites. The Long Faced Tumblers most of which were purchased from Derek Anstis in Cornwall have a lot of potential and may yield a few 1^st places in the not to distant future. We also keep a pair of kings which belong to my wife Joan there are also some garden Fantails and Rollers which I keep as feeders for The Long Faced Tumblers. Finally to the West of England Tumblers, at present I have 2 pairs of Cream, 2 pairs of Silvers, 2 pairs of Yellows a pair of Blacks a Red Bald Cock and Black Spangle Hen and at the time of writing (early May) I have bred in the region of 20 – 25 youngsters and if they forfill their early promise I hope to be breeding from about 12 pairs of West’s next year.

A. I like my West’s to have a good clear eye, good feather quality, it must handle well and be pleasing to the eye and of course for the birds to be clean and healthy.

A. My main loft is 10 foot x 10 foot and I have also now got a 10 foot x 8 foot Garden Shed converted into another loft.

A. I intend to concentrate on the West of England Tumblers and English Long Faced Tumblers. My intention is to get a stud of West’s in a few colours to a standard that will allow me to compete at the shows and bring home a few 1^st places. I know this will require a bit of luck and dedication with my breeding and acquiring a few more birds, which will improve what I have already. (that’s where you come in Dave)

A. I consider myself a novice but I have already learnt a few important tips. Anyone starting up should go to the shows and study the birds that are winning. Also do not be afraid to ask the experienced fancier/breeder questions and let them explain what the judges are looking for in a bird. Why they have chosen the winner above the rest of the birds. Also try to buy stock of reputable breeders and always if you can go to his/her loft and see what you are buying and what they are breed from, after all you can’t expect to buy their best but if you can get offspring from their best then the a giant step forward. I have seen it too often when people have pigeons sent to them and are not happy with what they have got.

A. I have found that I have been isolated in the South of Ireland and as a result have to travel long distances to shows or if I want to acquire birds. It is difficult to get your hands on the birds that you want because some of the breeders do not want to create competition for themselves and that is a pity because they are only stopping the fancy going from strength to strength. With the Long Faced Tumblers the money that they are exchanging hands for is ridiculous. I have witnessed over the last few years at Doncaster birds costing £100 - £150. At this rate most people could not afford to buy these birds, which will only lead to the decline in the number of people keeping this breed of bird.

A. I would like to thank Gerard my friend for accompanying me to the shows. Gary and Doreen Eaton for their friendship and generosity. To yourself Dave for helping me out last summer in providing me with 5 pairs of good quality West’s and for being there when I needed advise. I have to mention Derek and Mary Anstis in Cornwall who have become close friends of myself and Joan over the past few years. Derek has provided me with some top quality Long Faced Tumblers together with a lot of valuable advice. Finally and most importantly to my wife Joan who has supported me and done her fair share of work with the birds and has shown a keen interest, this has proven to be invaluable and the bad days and helpful to say the least on the good days.

Once again I would like to thank Niall for his participation with this profile. I do know that Derek Anstis and his wife were with Niall in May when we were putting this profile together. So I send Niall a draft to show Derek but obviously making slight alterations. I would love to have seen Derek’s face when he read it. I hope Derek wont mind sharing our little joke by putting the appropriate change, it actually read:-

. “I suppose I have to mention Derek Anstis from Cornwall I have had some birds off him but I wouldn’t say they were the best and some of his advice is not worth listening to but he is quite a likeable character but do be careful should you buy anything from him and take what he says with a pinch of salt.”

It is so good to see the Irish boys so keen on the flying breeds and I do know that they are trying to put on an extra show this year and of course we shall be doing all we can to encourage them. Good luck lads.

The years as always seem to be getting faster and faster and before long the show season will be upon us. I can confirm that all is in place for another Federation show to be held in Bristol again this year on December 8^th and judging by the enthusiasm and response will be even bigger than last year’s success. Can I just take this opportunity of saying that now is the time for you all to be putting your thoughts of any changes you would like to see within The Federation down on paper to be put out in our normal way of postal voting so please give some thought to any GOOD ideas and send them to Ian or myself for inclusion. The initial response to the Newsletter and the idea of the Yearbook has been received with much gusto, so please get your act together and send those photographs in if you wish to be included.

DAVE WALTERS