Fourth annual Dogitude festival gets underway in Co. Meath
Dogitude, the two-day festival for Irish dog lovers, is set to take place at the Causey farm between Kells and Athboy in Co. Meath this weekend.
The festival, now in its fourth year, offers thrilling displays by top canine athletes, expert advice, engaging workshops, and plenty of activities for dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Matt Murtagh, a sheep and cattle farmer from Co. Meath, came up with the idea for the festival in 2020, but the festival was cancelled that year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, before getting underway the following year.
He told Agriland: 'It's a big day. I went over to a couple of shows in England, I think our show is a good bit ahead of the one's I've seen in England.'
'It's the biggest dog event in Ireland, maybe even in the British Isles.'
Over the course of the weekend, there will be a number of different events and competitions taking place, including a sheepdog trial.
The provisional round for the trial started on Friday, May 23, with more trials taking place today, Saturday, May 24, before the final takes place on Sunday, May 25.
Murtagh said: 'The sheep dog trials take place in a 40ac field.
'The first two days, the dog has to go out 350 yards, pick up four sheep at the top of the field, take them down round the handler, drive them across the field into a shedding ring. Then they have to separate the sheep, and put them into a pen.'
Dogitude
The Dogitude festival will also host a gundog exhibition for multi-skilled dogs who can hunt, point, and retrieve through rough ground and from the water.
This will involve the 'Retrieve of the Year' event, where dog owners can bring their dog along to participate if they 'think it's up to scratch'.
According to Murtagh, people from all over Ireland will be attending the festival along with 'a lot of great dogs'.
Tickets for the Dogitude festival are available online, or at the venue.
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