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Sheep Dog Trials will be a huge economical boost to Killarney
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EXCLUSIVE
By Sean Moriarty
The Irish National Sheepdog Trials which will take place in Killarney for the very first time this August will be a huge economical boost for the town.
Over 150 of the top sheepdogs and their trainers from all over Ireland will compete in the three-day event on August 6 to 8 at Killalee, Fossa.
The event is being organised by a local committee within the Irish National Sheepdog Trial 2020 overall committee and they have conducted a feasibility study and secured lands owned by Liebherr Container Cranes near the landmark factory in Fossa.
The sport is growing both nationally and locally.
Last year, 16-year-old Tara Foley competed in the well-known BBC programme ‘One Man and his Dog’ and won the Young Handlers competition for Ireland.
Local branch Chairman Tom O’Sullivan will represent Ireland at the World Championship in York, England later this year and fellow Kerry-based sheepdog handlers, John Cremin and Milo O’Brien, have competed for Ireland over the years.
Winners of the Killarney event will form the 15-person team that will represent Ireland at the International Sheepdog Trials in Aberystwyth, Wales later this year.
“We are proud to be bringing this event to the large sheep and farming community in Kerry,” Tom O’Sullivan said. “Everyone loves watching the sheepdogs work at sheepdog trials and an event of this nature will be a huge economical boost to the Fossa and Killarney area and indeed Kerry generally.”
Tom is calling on local businesses to support the August event. Organisers have considerable outlay both ahead and during the event including traffic management plans, on-site catering and other related costs.
Kerry Group has already been confirmed as the main sponsor with additional support from Killarney-based hotels and Liebherr.