Galway sheep breeders return to Athenry

Up to 5,000kg of wool expected

WOOL from native Galway Sheep will be inspected and weighed at Athenry Mart this Saturday, July 20.

The harvest for the annual Galway Wool Co-Op Meitheal begins at 9.30am that morning, with up to 5,000kg of wool from Galway Sheep expected to be brought to Athenry.

The Meitheal is into its fourth year. It is organised by the Galway Wool Co-Op, a voluntary group comprised of people who keep the native breed of Galway Sheep, of which Blatnaid Gallagher is secretary.

There are less than 3,000 Galway Sheep worldwide, and breeders of Galway Sheep will be guaranteed €2.50/kg for their wool at the Meitheal.

Running alongside the event will be a national art exhibition, ‘Land to the Hand’. Donegal Yarns and Aviation Graphix have joined with Galway Wool Co-Op to sponsor the exhibition, and the General Manager of Donegal Yarns Chris Weiniger will open the exhibition at 10am.

Read more in this week's edition of The Tuam Herald