The Galway Wool Co-operative reports that the 2026 wool clip is now fully pre-booked at a price of €2.50/kg to the producer ahead of this year’s Meitheal, which takes place on Saturday 18 July. The voluntary organisation reports that AVOCA Ireland is purchasing wool for the second consecutive year, alongside long-standing partners Wool Store Ireland and The Sheep Walk Ranch, Texas, USA. While Wicklow-based company Ériu, Farm to Yarn, is a new buyer in 2026.
The Meitheal event, which takes place in Athenry Livestock Mart, commences at 9.30am, with sheep producers arriving from all four provinces with their annual wool clip. Throughout the morning, the wool will be weighed, inspected and prepared for collection.
The co-op says that the event “celebrates the collective efforts of farmers working together to restore value, transparency and traceability to Irish wool”. The event is open to the public and a special attendee is President Catherine Connolly.
Since its foundation, the Galway Wool Co-op has grown from just 20 members to almost 50 wool growers from across Ireland. Operated entirely by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis, every euro generated is reinvested into the running costs of the co-operative. Members of the Galway Artisans Collective from across Ireland will showcase an exhibition of handcrafted work with many more attractions.
See galwaywool.ie/ for more.
The Top of Coom Sheep Shearing Championships, which take place on Sunday 12 July, include a few new features. For the first time the championships will be part of the Northern Ireland circuit of competitions, and a continued part of the Irish shearing circuit.
This year’s event will see shearers from Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand compete in competitions. As a culmination of the Irish sheep shearing circuit there will be international tests between Ireland and Scotland in junior and intermediate classes.
The organisers are also proud to welcome a regular competitor and commentator, Sean Dunne following his recent exploits in New Zealand. Sean made history by becoming the first non-New Zealand shearer to be crowned as New Zealand’s top junior shearer for the 2026 season.
Organiser Tim Creedon said “we always have great help and support from our great community, and the Irish Sheep Shearers Association and we have a fantastic offering for all the family.
“The sheepdog trials are always thrilling and a highlight for many on the day. There will be music throughout the day and into the evening. We will of course be showing the Kerry v Dublin game on the televisions.”
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