The 2025 European sheep shearing and wool-handling championships will be held at the Mountbellew Mart, Co. Galway over the June bank holiday weekend.
Last year, Mountbellew hosted the 2024 All-Ireland and All-nations sheep shearing and woolhandling championships.
On the back of last year’s success, the Irish Sheep Shearers’ Association (ISSA), applied to host the European championships.
The event will welcome competitors from all across Europe, who will showcase their skills in a variety of events, including machine shearing, blade shearing, and wool handling.
The highlight of the championships, will be the European Open title competition. There is also a substantial prize fund on offer for both the European Open champion, and the Championship Plate.
Local talent will also be showcased, as they compete for Connacht titles. There will be a national shearing title at stake, and also a senior development test, featuring teams from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
In addition to the competitions, there will be a lively atmosphere with country and traditional music, an authentic wool experience, artisan food displays, and family fun events.
The ISSA has said that “the championships will be a celebration of cultural heritage and agricultural excellence”.
Sheep shearing
The ISSA’s Hazel Crowe said she is excited about the competition: “It’s going to be a massive competition, we haven’t had something like this in a huge number of years.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the first one that’s ever happened but it’s certainly the first one that has happened for a long time.
“To have all those nations together will be really good. Next year (2026) there is the world championships in New Zealand, so this will be great preparation for next year,” she added.
The ISSA said that there were over 100 competitors, across the two days, at last year’s all-Ireland championship in Mountbellew.
