Strength of Community shown at successful European Sheep Shearing and Wool-handling Championships at Mountbellew (Shearfest)

Teresa Roche, Maura Farrall, Marie Bennett, Bla Gallagher, Anne Kinsella, Dara Calleary, Anne Cassify, Maria Walsh, Niamh Nolan, Geraldine Noone, (front) Liz Macdonald

The Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary has warmly praised the Mountbellew Community Sheep-shearing Festival, ‘Shearfest 2025’, which took place on Saturday and Sunday. The Minister also commended Galway Rural Development (GRD) for their support for the festival, through LEADER, which helped deliver one of the events of the Summer in Co Galway.

Building on the foundations of the 2024 All-Ireland Festival, the European Sheep-Shearing Championship, together with music festival was a huge success, leaving behind a considerable economic and cultural impact.

Almost €130k of funding was provided to the Mountbellew Social Development Co-op Society to promote and deliver the event, with a broad audience attracted to the Mountbellew festivities.

Speaking at the launch Minister Calleary said

“I want to praise the committee and community for delivering such a special event, and I can see it’s already been a roaring success. I also want to praise the support and efforts of Galway Rural Development, both with the festival and also their efforts, again through LEADER, with regard to the viability of the wool sector.”

Senior Manager at GRD Conor Carty said that the organisation were delighted with the success of the event and to receive the positive encouragement from the Minister.

“For us, this was an unprecedented approval”, said Conor, “and we are delighted that the Mountbellew team successfully delivered something that will leave a legacy. I’m a farmer myself and I know how important these community-driven events are.”

CEO of GRD Steve Dolan added

“In terms of our efforts with the wool sector that the Minister referenced, we are leading a partnership of local development companies and we aim to see how we can add value to wool through a range of products which can use fleeces. We want to support the development of a value-chain; from processors to the production of yarn and garments for quality fabric wool fleece.”

Anne Kinsella of Teagasc, and GRD Secretary, said “We’re very grateful to Minister Calleary for coming. His encouragement and praise meant a lot to all of those who gave their time and who delivered this festival which highlights the region’s agricultural heritage. We’re also delighted for Michael Cunniffe and the Mountbellew team who have so impressed visitors from across the European Union and beyond.”