About 5,000 visitors from home and abroad are expected to attend the 2014 Irish National Sheep Dog Trials in Burt.
Handlers of 150 of the best sheep dogs on the island of Ireland and Isle of Man will battle it out over three days at An Grianan Estate from July 24th -26th 2014.
James P McGee, World Sheep Dog Trials Champion and Irish National Sheep Dog Trials Chairperson. Photo Joe Keogh
The winner will secure one of just 15 coveted places to represent their country at the International Sheep Dog Trials in Co. Roscommon in September.
Current world sheep dog champion James P McGee from Ballybofey, helped launch the event which is sponsored this year by SSE Airtricity.
“As a proud Donegal man, it’s a real honour to host the National Sheep Dog Trials in my home county which has a strong sheep dog trialling tradition.
“It’s a fantastic family event and I would like to sincerely thank all of my colleagues on the organising committee who have put in so much hard work to make sure we give all the competitors and spectators a really great few days.”
Each year, the event attracts visitors from all over Ireland as well as Europe, America and New Zealand. As well as the competition, there will also be food, craft and trade stands plus plenty of children’s entertainment, promising a fun day out for all the family.
Oisín Robinson (6); Harper O’Donnell (5) and Fíonn Robinson (4) with seven week old, border collie pups, Ben, Lass and Roy.
Seamus Herron of SSE Airtricity added: “There is a lot of local interest in the event and it’s a great opportunity to showcase the local area on a world stage.”
(Source – Inishowen News – 08/07/2014)