A flock of 250 sheep was shipped off of Clare Island last Thursday evening for their journey to the mainland. The trip for took approximately 20 minutes from Clare Island to their destination at Roonagh Pier in Louisburgh.

This was one of two shippings on Thursday evening, with a third on Friday morning.

Clare Island Ferry Company

The man behind the shipping, Brian O’Grady of the Clare Island Ferry Company told the Irish Farmers Journal that these was the first sheep to leave the island this year.

“August to October is usually the busiest time for the year for transporting livestock. With the way things worked out this year, this turned out to first sheep movement this year.”

The tide

O’Grady ships both cattle and sheep from the island. They carry the vast majority of animals to the mainland, but not without challenges.

“We pick a trip where no person is on to carry the livestock. We organise the shipments when the tides are favourable so we can access the shipways. This is to make sure the sheep can walk onto the boat. This is the same for cattle,” O’Grady said.

“When we carry cattle, we sometimes build pens on the boat, depending on numbers. This is to ensure they are not slipping and sliding around the deck.”

The boat can carry about 250 ewes or up to 320 lambs.

The video was taken by Brian’s brother, Alan O’Grady.

Read more

Watch: 200 dairy cows walked to new home

Watch: the hands-free hectare harvest complete at robotic farm