‘Shear' entertainment expected at Co. Galway sheep festival
Large crowds will flock to Mountbellew Mart next weekend for three nights and two days of 'shear entertainment' at the European and Connaught Sheep Shearing and Wool-handling Championships.
The highlight of the weekend will be the European Open final, which is set to take place on Sunday, June 1.
Competitors from France, Germany, Spain, the UK, and across Ireland are set to compete against each other in the 'Olympics of Shearing,' with substantial prize money on offer.
The chairperson of Mountbellew mart, Michael Cunniffe said: 'We also have competitors travelling from Australia and New Zealand for the open competitions.
'It's a brilliant competition that will captivate the attention of a huge audience, all keen to witness the exceptional skill of Europe's top shearers and wool handlers,' he added.
Alongside the shearing competition, a festival called Martbeat will be taking place.
Martbeat is set to kick off on Friday, May 30, with local talent performing, before the night is finished off with George Murphy and the Rising Sons.
On Saturday and Sunday, there are several 'legends' performing at the mart, such as Mike Denver, Michael English, Johnny Brady, Ciaran Rosney, Stephen Reilly, and All Folk'd Up.
Throughout the weekend, there will also be family fun with mini athletics, a fun fair, face painting, a floating magician, sheep dog demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, a fashion masterclass, traditional farm methods, and a tug of war.
Free parking is available for the weekend, and tickets are available online.
Sheep shearing
The Irish Sheep Shearers' Association (ISSA) Hazel Crowe said she is excited about the competition: 'It's going to be a massive competition, we haven't had something like this in a huge number of years.
'I wouldn't say it's the first one that's ever happened but it's certainly the first one that has happened for a long time.
'To have all those nations together will be really good. Next year (2026), there is the world championships in New Zealand, so this will be great preparation for next year,' she added.
The ISSA said that there were over 100 competitors across the two days at last year's all-Ireland championship in Mountbellew.
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