It might be a bit of a leap, but youngsters who learned the basics of shearing in the shadow of Connemara’s Twelve Pins this week could end up working with sheep in the Falkland Islands or New Zealand.
“That is the great thing about shearing. You can travel the world if you can shear sheep,” explained well-known Wexford shearer Roy Collier.
Collier was an instructor this week – along with David Herrity from Westport and Andrew Corrigan from the Curragh, Kildare – on an Irish Sheep Shearers Association workshop in Recess (Sraith Saileach).
And despite the market for wool remaining firmly fixed to the floor, the fact that the Connemara workshop was oversubscribed confirms that there is still massive demand for sheep shearing courses, Collier maintained.
“There was big interest in the workshop, from right across the west,” he said.
“We had 10-12 young farmers in the two-day beginners’ course on Monday and Tuesday and the same again booked in for the advanced course on Wednesday and Thursday,” he added.
“I’d say the average age of those taking part was 22-23, which is very encouraging.”
Those taking part in the course included those interested in shearing their own sheep; as well as others who intend to contract shear themselves or are going working for a contractor.
“It’s ideal for young farmers. If you can shear, you can always do a few flocks locally and earn a few bob on the side. said Collier.
“These courses are also a great way to make contacts if a youngster wants to get into shearing.
“I did one of these courses myself almost 30 years ago,” he added.
The courses – which are part-funded by Skillnet Ireland – focus on the shearing set up, health and safety and then the finer points of shearing, Collier said.
This week’s course in Recess took place on the farm of Brendan Joyce.
SHARING OPTIONS