Hundreds flock to Cork Bird Society centenary show

Birds of a feather flocked together for a centenary event celebrating one of Cork’s quirkiest and longest running societies.

A total of 122 exhibitors competed in the Cork Bird Society Centenary Show which took place at Delaney Rovers GAA Club, at Kilbarry.

Established in 1923, the society is among Cork’s longest running organisations.

Some 1,129 birds battled it out across categories from budgerigars to Irish native birds.

Judges were flown in from as far afield as the UK and US for the occasion, namely Andrew Hickson and Brian Byrne, respectively. Joe McGrath from Tipperary and William Walsh from Cork were also on the judging panel.

The society, which has a focus on the pastime, breeding, and exhibition of cage and aviary birds, has been in existence for more than a century. However, the club was only recently able to mark its centenary show, after missing out on events due to the covid pandemic.

Society chair Tom English, who has been a member for almost 25 years, explained how the competition works.

“It all comes down to size and colour,” he explained.

“Each judge has their own section. All these judges have their own classes. Each bird has 35 to 40 seconds in front of a judge. If he doesn’t perform he’s put back. He has to stand, show himself and work the perches from left to right. He is showing both sides of himself to the judges. I know it sounds crazy but that’s what they do.”

Anecdotes

The centenary event was also a time for reminiscing as Tom regaled with some interesting anecdotes from over the years.

“When the society was really strong we had 2000 birds at events. We were exhibiting at City Hall when one of the lads said a bird of his had been stolen. 

"We couldn’t figure out how something like this could have happened. The bird had been checked in so on paper he was there, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“That was on the Friday but when the owner came in on the Sunday he found out that the bird he thought had been stolen was still in the box. The funny thing is that if a bird is left in darkness he will survive for a couple of days. That’s because they go into a type of mini hibernation.

“If the bird had been left on the bench with no water he would have died in 10 hours. That same bird went on to win ‘best in show’ the following week at a different event.”

He said the centenary event was a proud milestone for everyone involved.

“Each society has their own show but this one is the biggest in the country. We’re all very proud to be associated with it.”