If you really want to see something unique and different on your visit to Ireland, then get yourself to the All Ireland Sheep Shearing Championships 2008, which are being held in a little village called Caherlistrane in County Galway over the May Bank holiday weekend.

Caherlistrane is a small rural community not far from the town of Tuam in County Galway close to the Mayo border. It’s quite appropriate that it was picked to hold the All-Ireland sheep shearing, as it lies at the heart of one of the biggest sheep areas in Ireland – north Galway/south Mayo area.

The weekend will kick-off on the Friday night (30th May) with the crowing of the ‘Queen of Wool’. The heats of the shearing competitions will get under way on the following Saturday morning at 11am at the Caherlistrane GAA grounds.

Other highlights of the weekend will be the Tug-Of-War competition, sheaf throwing and horse shoe tossing. There will also be a fun fair and face painting for the kids and nightly entertainment with Louise Morrissey and her band on stage in the marquee on the Saturday night and Oyster Boys playing on the Sunday night.

Caherlistrane is only about 10km west of Tuam and 24 km north of Galway city.

For more All-Ireland Sheep Shearing Championship 2008 website

For Galway city hotels check out the hotels in Galway city centre Ireland page and for all hotels in Galway check out the Galway hotels page.

Hope you enjoy this event! If you need help finding or booking accommodation, just give us a shout via the comment box below.