| Carrick
Castle Fencing Tournament
& Tournament
Dinner
2008
held
in the medieval setting of
Carrickfergus Castle
Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland
on Sat
7th and Sun 8th June 2008
2008 Carrick Castle Tournament
Report
 Combat
at Carrick!
“What an amazing venue”; “I have
never fenced anywhere this great before”; “a
real friendly and fun event – I’ll be
back” – just some of the many comments
made by competitors at the end of this year’s
Carrick Castle Fencing Tournament.
The weekend of June 7th and 8th 2008 saw the sun shine
on the annual Carrick Castle Fencing Tournament. The
event was organised by Stormont Fencing Club and took
centre stage at Carrickfergus Castle with a record
number of fencers from the UK, USA, Spain, Hungary
and Norway. Each competitor received complimentary
Deep Riverrock Water kindly donated by Cola-Cola and
the tournament provided a magnificent added attraction
to visitors attending Archaeology Day at the Castle.
All visitors were admitted to the Castle free of charge
during the tournament days.
 Fencing
took place in the Banqueting Hall, the top of the
Keep, a Marquee and, with the co-operation of the
weather, two outdoor pistes located on the Castle
Battlements, providing a great spectacle and some
unique fencing.
Saturday saw a record turnout for the tournament
with the Men's and Ladies’ Foil and Sabre events.
The impressive 1st prize trophies of Ceremonial swords,
once again kindly donated by PBT, went to the following:
Ladies’ Foil – Katie Gillespie (NIR),
Ladies’ Sabre – Kaeli Ward (USA), Men's
Foil - Kieran Debbadi (NIR), Men' Sabre - David Downey
(NIR). Sunday saw the Epee competition with a record
37 entries in the Men's Epee event. Winners on the
day, after another day of closely fought competition,
were as follows: Ladies’ Epee - Fiona Haldane
(NIR) and in Men's Epee - Andrew Fenwick (NIR). Full
results can be found on our results page.
On Saturday night the “not to be missed”
annual Tournament dinner was held in the Clarion Hotel.
Prizes were awarded for the Saturday events and everyone
enjoyed traditional Northern Ireland hospitality.
The organisers would like to express their gratitude
to all those who helped with and supported the event;
Carrickfergus Castle and the Environment & Heritage
Service for providing such a spectacular venue for
the event; Carrickfergus Borough Council for financial
support; PBT for providing the magnificent 1st prize
ceremonial swords for all 6 events; Coca-Cola for
providing Deep Riverrock Pure Still Water and Powerade
for the competitors and, most of all, our competitors
themselves, many of whom travelled from far a field
to compete at the tournament, some making their first
visit to Northern Ireland.
 News
Headlines
Coca-Cola on board
We are dlighted to have support from Coca-Cola who
have supplied us with some of their Deep Riverrock
Water and Powerade sports drinks. All competitiors
will recieve a free bottle of Riverrock Water and
Powerade will be available to purchase at the event.
We woudl like to thank Coca-Cola
Bottlers Ireland for their support.
(May 08)
Entries Closing - We
are just about at capacity for Men's Foil and Men's
Epee and entries will be closing soon. With the restrictions
on time and the number of pistes we can fit in to
the castle we regret that we have to limit numbers.
If you want to attend and compete in either of the
above events you really do need to enter NOW.
(9 May 2008)
 Carrick
Castle Fencing Tournament Dinner - Details
are now finalised for the dinner. The full cost will
be £25 per head. The Venue, as previously announced,
is the Clarion Hotel in Carrickfergus. You can book
your place and pay your deposit when you enter. Also,
now available, is the opportunity to book places,
pay your balance or pay the full fee using secure
on-line PayPay. We encourage as many people as possible
to pay fully before the event as it is, quite simply,
one thing less for the organisers to do on the day.
Keeping an event, with fencing going on in numerous
separate locations around the Castle, running is a
daunting enough task without having to collect money
for the dinner as well.
We would, therefore, very very much appreciate you
taking the time to pay in advance, using PayPal, if
at all possible. This feature will be removed 24 hours
before the event as the logistics of monitoring PayPal
and keeping records up to date, whilst setting up
the event, is just too much. Please help us keep the
event running smoothly and, if you are attending the
dinner, pay in advance Pay on Stturday
morning now. Thank you.
May 08
International Entries -
a growing number of visitors from abroad are entering
for Carrick, so far we have 7 countries represented
and over 25 clubs. Fencers representing Spain, and
Norway are joining those form Ireland and mainland
UK.
May 08
Numbers increasing -
As the time limit for discounted Early Bird Entries
approaches some of the classes are filling up - numbers
are limited so get your entry in now - This year,
2008, you can, for the 1st time, enter and pay on-line
using PayPal. Click
here to enter on-line now and save on your entry.
Dinner confirmed at
Clarion Hotel - special accommodation rates for guest
attending the dinner are available. - click
here
The Carrick Castle Fencing Tournament
has the reputation of being a great fun and friendly
event held in the spectacular surroundings of a Medieval
Castle - what better venue for a fencing tournament.
We are planning lots of exciting changes for the 2008
event, some ideas will depend on the numbers interested
so please take a few moments to submit your email
address to be kept up to date and visit this page
regularly for up to date information, news and announcements.
Last years saw competitors from clubs
from England, Scotland, Ireland and Spain as well
as many local clubs and the winners were all presented
with ceremonial swords, a fantastic prize to take
home. If you would like a chance of winning this years
fantastic prize mark the dates in your diary now and
use the on-line entry
form to secure your place at the tournament. -
7th & 8th June 2008.
Carrick Castle Tournament Dinner
- Planning for the Tournament dinner this
year well under way. As usual the prize presentation
for Saturdays events is being planned for the dinner
along with some fun entertainment to get everyone
going. Watch this space for more in the coming months.
Early Bird Entry Discount
- save by entering early. If you enter on or before
the 1st May 2008, by mail or on-line, you can avail
of a discount on entry fee. Entries received after
this date will be at the full entry rate. Entries
close on 1st June 2008.
We are asking for a deposit for the
dinner with entries to simplify the administration
and handling of the finances. The final cost, we estimate,
will be similar to last years £20.00 but no
more than £25.00. If you pay in advance, before
1st May Early bird closing date, and decide not to
go for what ever reason we will refund your dinner
deposit money in full - so no risk.
The full price and venue details will be posted on
this web site when known.
Disclaimer:
For each competition the organising committee
reserves the right to select the format of the
poules with or without subsequent Direct Elimination
which is best suited to the number of participating
fencers and the time available.
Carrickfergus Castle, The Stormont Fencing Club,
Sponsors or the NIFU cannot be held responsible for
loss or damage to any item belonging to those attending
or spectating at the event.
Carrick News:
Key Carrick Dates:
1st February - FREE ALL WEAPON DRAW
Entry closes
1st May - Early Bird Entry Discount Ends
1st June - Entries Close
7th - 8th June - Carrick Castle Fencing Tournament
Dinner venue
now confirmed
The now traditional Carrick Fencing dinner is being
held on the Saturday night in a new venue this year.
The Windrose is being refurbished so we are moving
to the Clarion Hotel this year. The Clarion are also
offering preferential room rates to those attending
the event at £75 per room for 2 people bed and
breakfast. Please book directly with the hotel, stating
you are attending the Carrick Castle Fencing Tournament,
on +44 (0) 28 9336 4556 or check out their web site
at www.clarioncarrick.com.
The hotel is ideally located close to the Castle.
April 08
Carrick Entries Open
The forms and on-line system for entry to
the Carrick Castle Fencing Tournament 2008 are now
available and entries are being accepted. Use the
links above to either enter on-line, using PayPay
secure payment system, or download a form and complete
and post back using the old snail mail. Please remember
to enclose your payment and, if required your deposit
to the dinner.
Remember to benefit for the early Bird Discount
your booking must be in by 1st May -
Nov 07
International interest for the 2008
Carrick Castle Tournament.
Approaches have been made by fencers from Sweden,
Germany and Spain regarding entering the 2008 Tournament.
In the past we have had representatives of many nationalities
competing, and even winning, at Carrick. We welcome
this interest and hope that our fencing friends from
afar can make it to Carrickfergus in June. We look
forward to their participation and welcoming them
to Northern Ireland. - Nov 07
 Magnificent
trophies confirmed once again for 2008 tournament.
It has been confirmed that the 1st
prize winner in each weapon/gender competition
will once again win a fabulous PBT
ceremonial sword. This fantastic trophy
will be awarded to all 6 winners in the 2008
Tournament. 2nd and 3rd places will also be
awarded with the presentation of suitably trophies
- Nov 07
Sponsors from 2007 renew their support for 2008
We welcome back for 2008 Truska Enterprises
who provide our web site and Carrick booking
systems. This year Actinic, a leading provider
of E-Commerce systems, have donated a copy of
there market leading Actinic Catalog system
to the club. This, in conjunction with Truska,
will allow us to take on line entries including
secure payment this year. Paying in advance
will significantly reduce the admin at the start
of each day and allow us to "get fencing"
much quicker.
A big thank you to both Actinic and Truska for
all their help and support. - Oct 07 |
