Sheep numbers down 14,000 last year

Data from the 2022 census shows that a total of 4m sheep were kept across 42,215 active registered herds in 2022.

Overall, the greatest number of sheep was kept in Co Donegal with a population of 541,063.

Sheep numbers were down by around 14,000 last year, census data published on Monday shows. 

The Department of Agriculture carries out a census of sheep and goats annually.