The Irish Sheep Shearers Association are holding their annual general meeting next Sunday 6 December at 1pm in the Castlepollard Hotel, Co Westmeath. The launch of the All Ireland and All Nations Sheep Shearing and Wool Handling Championships 2015 will also take place at 5pm. The championships will take place in Castlepollard on Saturday June 4 and Sunday June 5 2016.

The association had a successful year with the All Ireland Championships in Burt, Donegal, attracting large crowds. There have also been numerous highlights including successful participation in Balmoral show, Connacht Spring Show, Tullamore Show, the National Ploughing Championships and several local and regional events. Shearing was also demonstrated to a large attendance at Sheep 2015 while in recent months Wexford’s Roy Collier set a new Irish record for shearing lambs.

A big year lies ahead with the association advising all current and intending members to attend the AGM. The World Championships which take place in Southland, New Zealand in February 2017 will also be discussed at the AGM.