The highly anticipated Shearfest national sheep shearing championships will take place in Mountbellew, Co. Galway, over the June Bank Holiday weekend.

The Shearfest organisers promise "a showcase of skill, speed, and tradition, celebrating the best of Irish sheep shearing" on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31.

Competitors from across the country will go head-to-head in a range of disciplines, including machine shearing and traditional blade shearing.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be the provincial competition, where teams of four shearers representing every province of Ireland will compete for top honours.

Every team will feature a junior, intermediate, senior, and open-level shearer, demonstrating the depth of talent across all experience levels.

Wool

In addition to the competitions, visitors can explore the Wool Expo, which offers an opportunity to learn more about wool, craftsmanship, and the agricultural heritage behind the industry, the organisers said.

Vincent Flynn is part of the Shearfest promotion team that produces a booklet for the event.

He said: "We're trying to enhance the perception that people have of wool and to show off what people are doing with wool.

"There's a lot of cottage industries out there that people never hear about.

"Wool is a natural product, has so many uses, and is completely sustainable," he said.

Shearfest line-up

Shearfest offers a "weekend of top class competition, family-friendly entertainment, and a celebration of rural Irish culture", according to Hazel Crowe, secretary of the Irish Sheep Shearers' Association.

Saturday’s competitions will include the junior and intermediate heats and semi-finals. All other competitions will be run on Sunday.

Hazel said: "We are expecting shearers from all four corners of Ireland, particularly to compete in the provincial championships. The winning team will receive the Gerry Rushe cup.

Entertainment at Shearfest will continue off the shearing boards with 'Martbeat,' a lively country music event featuring performances from Olivia Douglas, Sabrina Fallon, All Folk’d Up, Derek Ryan, and Michael English.

There will also be a jiving competition and line dancing demonstration.

Entries and tickets are available on the Shearfest website.