Clonmany to host the Irish National Sheep Dog Trials

The Irish National Sheep Dog Trials will be taking place at Pollan Green (Show Grounds), Clonmany from August 22 to 24 by kind permission of Sean and Mary Doherty and with the support of SSE Renewables and Donegal County Council.

The International Sheep Dog Society is a member organisation and registers over 6,000 Border Collie pups every year on behalf of its members. The 2024 Irish National Sheep Dog Trials is organised by a voluntary local Donegal committee under the umbrella of the International Sheep Dog Society, which is the governing body of the four nations: Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales.  Each country holds a National Trials every year comprising the top 150 sheep dogs and their handlers in each country. The National Trials allow for the selection of the top 15 from the 150 competitors. The top 15 from each country go head-to-head at the International Sheep Dog Trials held in September in Scotland, known as “the Supreme”. Each National Singles Team has Fifteen places and one Reserve place, and the Brace Team consists of the first two prize winners, so competition is fierce.

The International Sheep Dog Society provides a unique opportunity for families and visitors to witness the incredible partnership between handler and dog, showcasing their abilities in a series of challenging tasks.

“The Committee are delighted to extend a warm welcome to all competitors, officials, sponsors SSE Renewables and Donegal County Council and spectators to Clonmany” says a spokesperson for SSE Renewables.

“ It is both an honour and a privilege that the Committee can bring the National Trials back to Donegal, especially to Clonmany, as the last National Trials held there was in 1979. More recently, the National Trials were held at An Grianán Estate, Burt, in 2014.”