A weekend of sheep-shearing, family fun, and more is coming to Mountbellew at the Mart Grounds on the June Bank Holiday weekend, 1st-2nd June, 2024. This elite event, sponsored by Kepak Group, is expected to draw 20,000 visitors and is being held in Mountbellew for the first time. Competitors from across Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, France, Australia, and New Zealand will gather for the largest dedicated sheep event in Ireland in 2024.
Attendees can enjoy music, raffles, cookery demos, pedigree and rare breeds shows, crafts, and shopping. Event partners include The Irish Sheep Shearers Association, Mountbellew Agricultural College, and Mountbellew Vintage Club. Categories in the Sheep Shearing Championships include Novice, Woolhandling, Junior, Intermediate, Blade, Senior, Ireland vs. Northern Ireland, and Best Family Shearing and Woolhandling. These championships are often referred to as “the Olympics of sheep shearing.”
“This event will promote the West of Ireland and Irish wool to a worldwide audience”, said Brian McHale, Event Organizer from Mountbellew Mart. The two-day program is packed with kids’ entertainment, fashion and beauty shows, food trucks, cookery demos, dog shows, crafts, the Irish Wool Experience, and shopping.
David Mannion, Kepak Athleague Supply Chain & PMO Manager, Meat Division said, “Kepak are very proud to support the All-Ireland & All Nations Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling Championships, right on our doorstep. We’ve been operating from our Athleague site for over 37 years, employing over 300 people, and annually contributing over €200 million to the local economy.
Our world-renowned meat from our Athleague site alone is exported to over 24 countries, from Kuwait to Canada. This couldn’t be done without our loyal lamb and cattle suppliers, who ensure the highest levels of animal welfare are maintained while respecting the land they farm. We work together by processing their high-quality livestock that has been cared for with great attention.
We are delighted to be involved in an event that the entire local community has rallied behind, and we hope you and your families have a great day.”
The fun extends into the evening with two nights of live music concerts at “Martbeat.” Performers include Mike Denver, George Murphy and the Rising Sons, Michael English, and Cliona Hagan. Gates open at 8 pm.
Tickets are available at www.tickets.ie or www.shearfest.ie. For event navigation, use Eircode: H53 HW98.
Follow:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/shearfest
Instagram: www.instagram.com/shearfest
