My earliest memory of the show would be walking sheep from Ballymorris, a mile and a half outside of Aughrim, where the show was. We’d get up at six o’clock and bring them down with the dogs. You’d have the sheep moved close to the house the night before and you’d have them marked.

“You had to get them down to the town before the sheep started to come from different directions from the different roads. It wasn’t arranged but everyone had their own slot to get the sheep through the town. That was the craic of it.

If you were lucky enough to win, you’d be going around all day with your rosette

“I remember going over to the shop when I was really small, and getting sweets. Then of course there was the judging. If you were lucky enough to win, you’d be going around all day with your rosette.”

Where it all began

“The show began in Aughrim 50 years ago, by a group of men who wanted to advertise the Wicklow Cheviot breed and a place to market their sheep. The show’s ancestral home in Aughrim was at ‘the bridge’, which is where the current car park of Lawless’s Hotel is.

In 2001, we moved to Baltinglass Mart, where we got a lot of customers from west Wicklow

“The show then moved to Rednagh Road, and after that it was held at ‘Mordaunt’s field’ just outside of Aughrim for a few years. In 2001, we moved to Baltinglass Mart, where we got a lot of customers from west Wicklow. In 2014, we moved closer to home to Carnew Mart and that is where we are today.

The show day

“The day of the show is very busy and exciting, there’s a great atmosphere. First of all, I get to show my sheep and meet my friends. It’s a big social occasion as much as anything else. You win your prizes too, but for me, it’s not really part of it. The best thing about winning at the show is getting your cup on the presentation night and remembering the people whose names are on those cups that are important.

We’ve also had three generations of judges and three generations of farmers bringing sheep to the show

“The cups have been donated by families of people who were involved in the show down through the 50 years. The cups keep their memory alive within the show and the area. Those people are why the show has run for 50 years.

“We’ve had the same sponsors for years and we’ve had the same buyers for years. We’ve also had three generations of judges and three generations of farmers bringing sheep to the show. The show day is a way of keeping tradition going and keeping memories alive. Our show is not about the farming men either – there has always been ladies involved who have been the backbone of the committee.”

Aughrim sheep breeders

“We haven’t a big committee but we have a good committee. We have five or six meetings before the show where we organise judges and sponsors. We also speak to David Quinn at Carnew Mart. Everyone on the committee does their part. The show has its own day at the mart, the first Friday in September.

My father always said you started preparing the sheep for the show the day following the show the previous year

“Preparing the sheep for the show is a major thing. My father always said you started preparing the sheep for the show the day following the show the previous year. You have to pick the right ram, the right ewes. When the ewes are lambing, you’re watching for ewe lambs. You’re hoping they have the right face, that’s the first step. As they grow, you’re looking at their ears, their wool, good length, height and conformation and then it comes to the time to pick them out. You could bring them in 20 times before you pick the 10 you want.

“On the day of the show, they have to look good. You have to make sure they’re clean. When you get there, you put them in the pen. You’re going around very proud of yourself until the neighbour lets in 10 bigger ones. And then when the results are written up and called out, you’re delighted when you win a prize. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t, but it’s great to get the cup and see all the names inscribed down along it of those that have won it before you.

“The classes in the show were originally centred on the Wicklow Cheviot. All the different ages of Wicklow Cheviot – breeding sheep, ram lambs, wether lambs, rams.

In the last 10 years the show has progressed with farming. We have 12 classes for different types of sheep, which helps the show diversify

“We then added classes for the Wicklow Cheviot crosses and also have a class for mountain sheep. In the last 10 years the show has progressed with farming. We have 12 classes for different types of sheep, which helps the show diversify. It also brings in buyers for fat lambs and store lambs as well as breeding sheep. We have buyers that come to the show and sale from around the country, especially the north and the west, as well as locals.

“We have five or six meetings every year. Four of five before and one after just to decide what we might need to change or work on for the next year.”

Celebrating 50 years

“Two years ago, we decided we should do a book to commemorate the 50th year of the show, which the committee took on board. We gathered up all of the different ingredients for the book – paper cuttings and photos from down through the years. The committee came together and over the course of the year we held several meetings. We had great craic and lots of tea and apple tart and finally came up with a book that we called, The Show – A Celebration of 50 years of Aughrim Sheep Show. It documents 50 years of memories, stories and great craic.”

Anyone interested in buying a copy of The Show – A Celebration of 50 years of Aughrim Sheep Show, is asked to contact Sean O’Neill on 087 918 8131. The Aughrim Sheep Breeders Annual Show and Sale takes place on Friday 6 September in Carnew Mart, Co Wicklow.

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