LOCAL pigeon fanciers in Ballymun fear they are a
dying breed with children now preferring to play with Playstations and Xboxes
instead of training a flock of racing birds.
But Ballymun pigeon fancier, Lee Newman, whose birds
have won him several cash prizes and prestigious awards isn’t given up on the
next generation and hopes to encourage and highlight an awareness of the sport
so that it will continue for decades to come.
The 33-year-old is passionate about the sport which he
has been involved in since he was 11-years-old.
Last year Lee’s trained mealy hen was the winner of
the prestigious St Malo race in France when she returned home in six and a half
hours having flown 381 miles.
Lee is the assistant secretary of the Ballymun Pigeon
Flying Club, which has 60 members and has its stock loft in flats on Shangan
Road.
Each of the members has on average 150 birds which
they train from when the birds are around 20 weeks old.
“We usually let them off first in the Phoenix Park and
hope that they will come back,
? Lee explained.
“They’re usually clever enough to figure out where
home and dinner is.
?
The pigeons can live until they are about 15-years-old
although they usually retire from racing when they are aged six.
“Pigeon racing and training takes dedication and a lot
of time and patience but the rewards make it all worth while
? explained Lee.
“Most of the kids these days spend their evenings in
front of the telly so unfortunately it seems to be a dying sport especially
when you consider that 90 per cent of our members are over 50 years of age.
?
However, Lee’s 11-year-old son and 16-year-old brother
are taking a keen interest in pigeon racing.
“They are up early in the morning to train the birds
and they get them prepared in the run-up to race days,
? Lee explained.
“They learn great life skills in dedication and
patience and hard work.
?
The racing season begins in April and ends in
September with anything up to 25 races during that period in Ireland, England
and France.
For each race the birds are let off at various ranges
from 250 miles in England and 359 miles in France and the first pigeon to
return to their home is crowned the winner.
Lee who is part of the Kelly, Newman and Sons racing
team is appealing to anyone who’s interested in learning more or getting
started in the sport to contact the Ballymun Pigeon Flying Club.
“Any pigeon man will always be there to help anyone
interested or trying to get started in the sport. We all look out for each
other and we know there’ll be no future in pigeon racing without new members.
?
For more information contact Lee on 085-1141173 or visit
ballymunpigeonflyingclub.com.