Friday 22^nd September 2023 was Culture Night around the country and the Galway Sheep Breeders’ Association marked the evening with an outstanding celebration of Ireland’s agriculture by holding a Show and Sale of over 100 of our only native sheep breed at Athenry Mart.

This year’s annual sale even surpassed last year’s record breaking sale.

Such was the demand for female sheep in particular that many buyers were disappointed and consequently the Association has organised a supplementary sale for breeders of PURE BRED REGISTERED GALWAY sheep for the first time in over 60 years.

The arrangements for this forthcoming Show and Sale have now been agreed with Ballinasloe Mart and it will take place in conjunction with their usual weekly sheep sale on Thursday 19^th October.

The Show will take place at 6 p.m. followed by the Sale at 7 p.m. sharp to facilitate on-line bidders @ LSL Auctions. The usual rules and procedures will apply.

There will be 6 Classes – Senior rams, Hogget rams, Ram lambs, Breeding Ewes (born 2020 or 2021) Ewe Hoggets and Ewe Lambs.

All sheep will be judged in their pens.

Only one male sheep per breeder can be entered in the Show and Sale.

Every male must be genotyped and be in Class 1, 2 or 3 for Scrapie.

All male sheep should be haltered for safety reasons.

Each breeder can show and sell a maximum of 5 sheep.

Children are welcome but must be supervised adequately at all times.

Only one handler is allowed in the Sales ring and that person must be over 18.

The mart will provide both office staff and yard staff on the evening.

One of the yard staff will scan the sheep and control entry and exit to the yard.

Only sheep listed in the Catalogue can be sold in the sale.

Vendors must be ready to bring their sheep from the pens to the ring and return them afterwards – the yard staff will NOT be doing this work.

The mart canteen will be open for business as usual.

All enquiries to Gerry – 0868837056 or 0852090052

Go nEírí libh.

Gerry Daly