Fresh from his recent exploits in the southern hemisphere, Joseph Scahill, the current Golden Shears world intermediate shearing champion, was in action this week launching Shearfest 2026.
The shearing championships take place on Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May on the grounds of Mountbellew Co-operative Livestock Mart.
This year’s event will feature a special provincial championship alongside the normal array of shearing competitions held each year. Table 1 details the programme of shearing over the two days and as can be seen the greatest level of shearing takes place on Sunday 31 May.
The Irish Sheep Shears Association are reminding shearers interested in competing to get their application submitted by the deadline of Sunday 24 May.
Applications can be submitted at shearfest.ie.
New attractions
There is a number of new attractions for Shearfest 2026.
A wool expo will feature information about the sustainability credentials of wool, the modern innovative uses of wool and the agricultural heritage behind the industry.
Pictured at the launch of Shearfest 2026 were from left to right Eamon Moran, Willie Heneghan and sisters Eiméar, Aoife and Siobhán Cunniffe.
The Wool Expo will also feature a wool-based fashion show.
These is also a demonstration of professional farriering methods on both Saturday and Sunday while the event will also host the Connacht Tug O’War championship.
Other notable attractions include a five kilometre fun run/walk with all proceeds going to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).
MartBeat concerts, which have been a massive attraction in recent years, also return with headline acts including All Folk’d up and Derek Ryan on Saturday 30 May and Michael English and Olivia Douglas on Sunday 31 May. See shearfest.ie for further information.
There is a new attraction to the event in 2026 with farrier demonstrations taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online at shearfest.ie or on the gate on the day or night.
Entry to daytime activities costs €20 per head with under 12s accompanied by a paying adult going free.
Entry to Martbeat concerts is €30 per night while there are concessions for combination of tickets bought online before the event.
There is an active organising committee involved behind the event with a huge local voluntary effort.
Fresh from his recent exploits in the southern hemisphere, Joseph Scahill, the current Golden Shears world intermediate shearing champion, was in action this week launching Shearfest 2026.
The shearing championships take place on Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May on the grounds of Mountbellew Co-operative Livestock Mart.
This year’s event will feature a special provincial championship alongside the normal array of shearing competitions held each year. Table 1 details the programme of shearing over the two days and as can be seen the greatest level of shearing takes place on Sunday 31 May.
The Irish Sheep Shears Association are reminding shearers interested in competing to get their application submitted by the deadline of Sunday 24 May.
Applications can be submitted at shearfest.ie.
New attractions
There is a number of new attractions for Shearfest 2026.
A wool expo will feature information about the sustainability credentials of wool, the modern innovative uses of wool and the agricultural heritage behind the industry.
Pictured at the launch of Shearfest 2026 were from left to right Eamon Moran, Willie Heneghan and sisters Eiméar, Aoife and Siobhán Cunniffe.
The Wool Expo will also feature a wool-based fashion show.
These is also a demonstration of professional farriering methods on both Saturday and Sunday while the event will also host the Connacht Tug O’War championship.
Other notable attractions include a five kilometre fun run/walk with all proceeds going to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).
MartBeat concerts, which have been a massive attraction in recent years, also return with headline acts including All Folk’d up and Derek Ryan on Saturday 30 May and Michael English and Olivia Douglas on Sunday 31 May. See shearfest.ie for further information.
There is a new attraction to the event in 2026 with farrier demonstrations taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online at shearfest.ie or on the gate on the day or night.
Entry to daytime activities costs €20 per head with under 12s accompanied by a paying adult going free.
Entry to Martbeat concerts is €30 per night while there are concessions for combination of tickets bought online before the event.
There is an active organising committee involved behind the event with a huge local voluntary effort.
SHARING OPTIONS