Irish National Sheep Dog Trials get under way in County Roscommon

The three day 2025 Irish National Sheep Dog Trials got under way in Brideswell this morning, Thursday.

This year’s International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) trials are being hosted from Thursday to Saturday, August 7th to 9th on the Lisbrock farm of Barra O’Brien.

Over the course of the three days, 150 of Ireland’s best sheep dogs and their handlers will ply their trade. 

Barra, who is chairperson of the event and hosted the trials on his lands in 2013, explained at the recent launch in Hannon’s Hotel that the various competitions would be taking place across 30 acres.

“There will be 150 dogs running over the three days, 50 dogs a day, the single dogs and the double dogs – one handler running two dogs,” he explained.

The Irish National President of the ISDS Pat Murphy thanked Barra, his wife Mary and daughter Sinead for planning and organising the event over the last four years.

“Hopefully it’s going to be a good, successful national. We have a good field, the sheep are there and we’re ready to rock and roll,” added Barra O’Brien. He also extended his gratitude to the event sponsors.

Roscommon Leader Partnership’s Operations Manager Tomás Beades praised the “youth and vibrancy” within the trials committee, and added they were delighted to allocate funding of €14,000 for the event.

Additionally he singled out Leader Projects Officer Niamh Nolan for her efforts in getting the event to the finishing line.

Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice emphasised that the trials could not have taken place without all the unseen work from the O’Brien family.

“Everything looks lovely in front of the camera here today, but by god for the few months before that it takes an awful lot of phone calls and effort – no one realises the work behind it,” said the Independent Ireland party agricultural spokesperson.

He gave huge credit to Tomás Beades and the Roscommon Leader Partnership, and highlight the importance of CAP funding and the impact of the proposed CAP changes.

Senator Padraic Brady spoke on behalf of the Department of Agriculture. The department allocated €5,000 for the trials. He commended the committee for its work and highlighted the importance of continued funding for rural Ireland and he agricultural sector.

He said: “As a Government we have to support rural events, the rural community and rural Ireland. We also have to support the sheep sector. Without sheep the trained dogs are no good, and there’s no industry there.” Senator Brady also pointed out the event’s importance to the tourism industry in the county.

Tourism Officer with Roscommon County Council Lisa Joy called the event “a real celebration of our cultural heritage here in Roscommon”.

She added: “We're delighted to hear that there's so many people visiting from the UK and from all over Ireland. We really hope that they get to experience Roscommon at its best. It's such a great economic boost for our B&Bs and our hotels and all the businesses around the local area.” 

Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council Liam Callaghan described the elite sheepdogs and their handlers taking part in the trials a “special breed”, and stated he was never able to achieve the same with his own “reasonably good” sheepdog.

He paid tribute to his neighbour and renowned sheepdog trainer Con McGarry, whom he described as “one of the best handlers in the world,” and wished all competitors the best of luck.

Chairperson of the Roscommon IFA Pat Leonard congratulated the committee on bringing the trials to the county.

Over the three days on the South Roscommon farm, there will be plenty of activities too for families including face painting, balloon making and dog training with geese!

Food vendors will also be on site along with an ice-cream van.