Decrease in the national sheep flock for a second year in a row

The sheep census returns indicate that, in the state on December 31, 2023, there were 3.72m sheep were kept on holdings.

This census report records the number of sheep and goats kept in Ireland on December 31, 2023, and is based on data submitted to the Department of Agriculture by April 26, 2024.

The number of sheep in the country has decreased by around 290,000, the 2023 census shows. 

This is a 7% drop on the total numbers recorded in 2022.