The shearing shed will be a hive of activity over the three days of the Ploughing. The All-Ireland lamb shearing competition will take place on Wednesday 17 September, with top shearers from across Ireland and further afield competing. Donegal shearer and world record holder Ivan Scott will be defending the All-Ireland lamb shearing title in Tullamore.
Scott and Denis O’Sullivan from Kerry have had served up an enthralling spectacle at shearing competitions in 2025. O’Sullivan claimed the National Shearing title at the European Sheep Shearing Championships in Mountbellew, while Scott edged out the Kerry man on home turf in Clonmany, Co Donegal, to win the All-Ireland shearing title.
These wins also secured places on the team representing Ireland at the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling Championships taking place in New Zealand in March 2026. Martin and James Hopkins represent Ireland in blade shearing, while Hazel Crowe and Joanne Devaney will complete in the world wool handling championships.
The Ploughing Championships will be the last time shearers will be competing on a public stage before heading to New Zealand. Competitions at the Ploughing take place from 8.30am to 4pm, and include novice, junior, intermediate, senior, open and blade.
Tuesday and Thursday
Well-known shearer George Graham has a strong lineup organised for Tuesday and Thursday. Shearing demonstrations and tips and advice on sheep and wool handling will be conducted throughout the day by George, along with demos on crutching. Farm safety and mental health talks chaired by George and including Peter Gohery and Brian Rohan from Embrace Farm will be held at 11.20am and 2.50pm on each day, while IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee chair Teresa Roche will discuss current farming issues at 3pm each day. There will also be talks from industry stakeholders at 1.30pm and 4pm.
General view at the NPA sheep shearing open final 2024 at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois. \ Philip Doyle
A group of children watch the NPA sheep shearing open final 2024 at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois. \ Philip Doyle
George Graham showing the sheep shearing skill to Catherine McGreehan, Co Lo,uth at Sheep 2025 earlier this year. George will be conducting similar demos on Tuesday and Thursday at the ploughing. \ Sean Lydon
The shearing shed will be a hive of activity over the three days of the Ploughing. The All-Ireland lamb shearing competition will take place on Wednesday 17 September, with top shearers from across Ireland and further afield competing. Donegal shearer and world record holder Ivan Scott will be defending the All-Ireland lamb shearing title in Tullamore.
Scott and Denis O’Sullivan from Kerry have had served up an enthralling spectacle at shearing competitions in 2025. O’Sullivan claimed the National Shearing title at the European Sheep Shearing Championships in Mountbellew, while Scott edged out the Kerry man on home turf in Clonmany, Co Donegal, to win the All-Ireland shearing title.
These wins also secured places on the team representing Ireland at the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling Championships taking place in New Zealand in March 2026. Martin and James Hopkins represent Ireland in blade shearing, while Hazel Crowe and Joanne Devaney will complete in the world wool handling championships.
The Ploughing Championships will be the last time shearers will be competing on a public stage before heading to New Zealand. Competitions at the Ploughing take place from 8.30am to 4pm, and include novice, junior, intermediate, senior, open and blade.
Tuesday and Thursday
Well-known shearer George Graham has a strong lineup organised for Tuesday and Thursday. Shearing demonstrations and tips and advice on sheep and wool handling will be conducted throughout the day by George, along with demos on crutching. Farm safety and mental health talks chaired by George and including Peter Gohery and Brian Rohan from Embrace Farm will be held at 11.20am and 2.50pm on each day, while IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee chair Teresa Roche will discuss current farming issues at 3pm each day. There will also be talks from industry stakeholders at 1.30pm and 4pm.
General view at the NPA sheep shearing open final 2024 at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois. \ Philip Doyle
A group of children watch the NPA sheep shearing open final 2024 at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois. \ Philip Doyle
George Graham showing the sheep shearing skill to Catherine McGreehan, Co Lo,uth at Sheep 2025 earlier this year. George will be conducting similar demos on Tuesday and Thursday at the ploughing. \ Sean Lydon
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