Field
The setting was stunning and the shooting was spectacular as world-class archers joined competitors taking part in the All- Ireland Field Championships.
It was hosted by the City of Belfast Archery Club and set in the grounds of Belfast Castle, and on the building itself. Among those who found themselves shooting from the castle's ramparts over the two days was Olympian Patrick Huston. He was up against, among others, double Olympic Youth Festival gold medallists Mark Nesbitt and Ireland's Garrett Byrne. Mark took the title and women's honours went to GB's Joanne Walker who triumphed over Irish internationals Orla O'Connor and Jane Langley.
The compound division was hard-fought. European and World medallists Dean Hamilton and Jordan Mitchell found themselves competing against a string of other archers fresh from the World Championships, including City of Belfast Archer Darrel Wilson.
You can find all the results from the championships, including a strong showing by Ballyvally's senior and junior archers, on Ianseo.
Photo: Stephen Kerr (River Oak) and Gilbert McClelland (Ballyvally) shooting into the walled garden in front of Belfast castle in the finals.
The scent of wild garlic, redwood and pine greeted more than 80 archers as they competed in Ballyvally Archers' world record status and Arrowhead Shamrock World Archery mixed shoot in Tolleymore Forest Park.
The sun shone on the crystal clear Shimna river on the first day as they put their skills to the test on rough ground, difficult footing and, above all, steep slopes. The target was to achieve international qualifying scores. And the third of Ballyvally's world record status spring field shoots also provided a great opportunity to win a coveted Arrowhead award.
It gave families a chance to practice their sport together, with archers of all ages, styles and levels of ability competing and three generations of one family shooting together, even if the weather did turn chilly on day two.
Hit TV series Game of Thrones is famously shot in Tolleymore, and some of the battles for points were just as intense. A run of long 60 cm targets close to the end of the course depleted low energy reserves while shots across the river concentrated the minds of competitors worried about losing an arrow in the Shimna.
It was a demanding but rewarding course and those who finished both days, plus the previous Daffodil shoot, were rewarded with a specially commissioned Tolleymore Challenge badges.
The perfect view
More than 70 archers including Olympian Patrick Huston and members of Archery GB's national squad, gathered in Wrexham for the second Dewi Sant (St David) shoot.
The two-day World Archery record status and Arrowhead shoot was held at Bryn Yorkin Manor and hosted by Wrexham Bowmen. You can find all the results on the Wrexham Bowman website; wrexhambowmen.com.
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