102 shearers from 27 nations seek Gorey glory

Q&A: George Graham

More than 300 shearers from 30 countries are expected to participate in national and international competitions, with teams from China and Russia competing at world level for the first time.

Ireland’s only previous Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing Championships took place 16 years ago in Gorey in 1998.

Sixteen years later, the chairman this time around, George Graham, does not lack for experience of sheep shearing. He is the current All-Ireland single and double stand sheep shearing record holder for the most sheep shorn, and he has represented Ireland seven times at the world championships.

He was also a commentator a number of times at the world championships, including 2012 in New Zealand.

* How many people do you expect in Gorey?

>>We expect 40,000 to attend, including about 10,000 overseas visitors, with 5,000 to 8,000 likely to attend Thursday and Friday, and 10,000 to 15,000 expected Saturday and Sunday. The main festival and competitions take place from Thursday the 22nd to Sunday the 25th.

* Why is the event coming to Ireland?

>>At the last Golden Shears World Championships in New Zealand in 2012, Ireland bid to host the event and were successful.

* What countries will take part?

>>In the world competitions on Sunday, 102 shearers from 27 countries will take part, including China, Russia, the US, New Zealand, and South Africa.

* Is there more to the event besides sheep?

>>There certainly is. The Good Food Ireland Village will be the place to chill out and have a “dine around Ireland” experience of top quality Irish food, while meeting the people who grow, rear, make and cook the food of our country. Chefs, cheese makers, chutney makers and bakers will all assemble to serve and showcase Irish food from 8am to 5.30pm, Thursday to Sunday, and until 9.30pm on Saturday. Cookery demos and talk from leading chefs and local food heroes will take place over the four main festival days.

The Golden Shears Fringe Festival will feature a wealth of attractions for all the family. Tickets from €10 are available online at goldenshearsireland.com.

Other attractions include a vintage display, arts and crafts, a photography and design hall, a dog show, children’s entertainment, and wool and felt demos.

* With current world record holder Ivan Scott from Donegal shearing 744 lambs in 8 hours, was it difficult to get enough sheep for the event?

>>We have secured 6,600 sheep from all over Ireland, despite the current high prices on offer at the marts! They are mostly provided by farmers in Co Wexford and countrywide, and will be specifically treated and prepared for shearing during the championships.

* You also have a number of All-Ireland sheep championships.

>>What breeds are involved? We have classes for Texel, Suffolk, Charollais, and classes for crossbreds include best factory lamb, best hogget ewe, and best older ewe. Breeders will also be interested in the Sheep Ireland advice sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

There’s also the ICM FBD Young Shepherd Competition, sheep dog trials, and the Queen of the Wool pageant in conjunction with Macra na Feirme.