The Kepak All-Ireland Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling Championships 2017, which take place in Kiltoom on the June Bank Holiday Weekend, will be officially launched this Sunday, 30th April.
The launch will be held at 7pm in The Square, Roscommon Town at 7pm as part of the Lamb Festival. Details of the exciting programme will be announced with organisers promising that the 2017 Championships will be bigger and better than previous years.
The launch will be performed by special guests from a wide range of groups: Kepak, Roscommon County Council, Roscommon LEADER Partnership, St. Brigid’s GAA Club and The Irish Sheep Shearers Association.
The weekend-long championships will be hosted in conjunction with the Irish Sheep Shearers Association on the grounds of St. Brigid’s GAA Club in Kiltoom, and are expected to attract large numbers of visitors and benefit local businesses throughout the area.
Commenting ahead of the launch Tomás Beades, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said “This event promises to be a memorable weekend and to make this happen a massive community effort is needed. St. Brigid’s is putting in place a full weekend programme of events and would greatly appreciate as many people as possible getting involved in this local community event”.
“We would once again encourage everyone to get out and support the event and would like to acknowledge the sponsors who have shown their support for this event to date, particularly our main sponsor Kepak.”
The weekend promises to be a spectacle not to be missed with over 200 competitors shearing 2,200 sheep across 19 different categories in two days of intense, international competition.
Large numbers of spectators are expected to flock to the venue and, in addition to the sheep shearing competitions, there will be a range of other attractions including nightly entertainment in a fully-licensed bar, children’s activities, arts and crafts, artisan food, heritage features, sheep shows, sheep dog trials, trade stands, cookery demonstrations and a food quarter.
As part of the All-Ireland Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling Championships Roscommon LEADER Partnership will host the final showcase for two of its Erasmus+ projects: Creative Communities Igniting Change and Food Incubators Transforming Regions on Friday 2nd June. They will be joined by foreign partners from Poland, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Netherlands and Slovakia. This event will include panel discussions, displays of creativity and food producers and lots more. If you are a creative or a food producer this is an event not to be missed.
Nathan Carter live
A further highlight will be Friday night’s performance by Nathan Carter, who will be on stage in the main marquee with dancing until late into the night. Tickets are €25 and people are encouraged to purchase early to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be purchased from any committee member.
Supporting Nathan Carter
Organisers are also looking for Nathan Carter’s support act. Do you have what it takes to get the crowd going before the main man himself? Are you a solo act or part of a band? If so then organisers want to hear from you. Please email your info, image and a sound or video clip to Anna at [email protected] Entries must be submitted by Tuesday May 2nd at 6pm. This is a huge opportunity for any budding artist.
Events
Bright and early on Saturday 3rd June the shearing will get under way at 7am and by nightfall the Irish Open Champion will be crowned. The event also boasts a number of highlights including a vintage display, sheep breeds demonstrations, the ever popular sheep racing, fashion shows, kids entertainment, football skills tests which will continue throughout the weekend.
On Saturday night dancing in the Festival Marquee will be to popular country singer Johnny Brady and his band. Tickets can be purchased from any committee member. Doors open at 10.30pm. Tickets are €15 and again everyone is encouraged to purchase early to avoid disappointment.
Sunday 3rd June sees the competition take on an international flavour with a Six Nations Team competition featuring Ireland north and south, Scotland, England, Wales and France. The final event of the weekend is the International Open where some of the world’s top shearers will compete for the biggest purse of the weekend and the title of International Champion.
Described as a mini version of the All-Ireland Ploughing championships, The All-Ireland Sheep Shearing & Wool handling Championships is an agricultural show with a difference and a great day out for all the family.
Find out more
To keep up to date with this event and all other events planned for the All-Ireland Sheep Shearing weekend log on to our new website which will be launched on Sunday 30th April or like our pages on Facebook: St. Brigid’s GAA Club Kiltoom and All Ireland and All Nations Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling Championships 2017.
To get in the mood for the great music planned for the weekend there will be four weeks of jiving lessons starting from 9th May. Keep an eye on social media for details.
Tickets will be on sale on the night of the launch and will be available in various locations over the coming weeks.
For shear entertainment, it won’t be beat!