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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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The Sheepdog clinics will take place June 28 and 29 and July 19 and 20
Two Mayo men, Paul Walker and Alan Moran will be hosting a sheepdog training clinic. The Newport Shepherds as they are known will help you train your own sheepdog. The clinics will take place in Derrada, Newport on June 28 and 29 while the clinics are also taking place on July 20 and 21.
Sheepdogs must be older than 10 months and also keen to work. All dogs will go through various stages of training from starting to trials and farm work with kennels being also provided if needed.
“We offer the opportunity to experience the life of a shepherd in Ireland. From doing daily chores with our sheep, starting sheepdogs, training them and getting them ready for farm work or the trial field.
"We can also arrange a circuit of the best trials in the island for you. We can help you to learn how to train your dog, using our own proven method which has been proven to be successful both in the mountain and in the trial field.”
READ MORE: Ambassador campaign launched with call for volunteers for Mayo mountain
Paul Walker, one of the Newport Shepherds, explained.
“I grew up in the Central Andes, Chile, raising goats in the mountains, where dogs are still an important tool for farming them. I started training my first dogs back in 1994. My dream then was to learn how to train a good sheepdog.
After a long career with horses I decided to live my dream and came to Ireland, started buying some dogs and bringing them on and learning from them and many people that have helped me in this journey. I am always fascinated about how important they are in everyday life in Ireland and how they have been part of the history of humankind. This passion is what I want to share with you.”
Alan Moran is a ‘Hill Sheep’ farmer and a new generation sheepdog trainer from Newport Co. Mayo. He grew up around sheepdogs and trained his first dog at 11 years of age. Alan will demonstrate skills and methods of working a sheepdog which have been handed down from his ancestors. He will explain why shepherds in this region could not farm these mountains without the help and trust of his dogs.
You can find more information on www.thenewportshepherds.ie
Any queries please contact thenewportshepherds@gmail.com
READ MORE: Two Mayo U20 Players named in GAA Team of the Year
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