While the British and Irish Lions are enjoying the thrills and spills of a tour down under, their equivalent in the farming world, 30 young Texel enthusiasts from the home nations, have recently returned from a whistle stop tour of Donegal for the Five Nations Weekend.
Organised this year by the Irish Texel Sheep Society, the weekend included flock visits, social outings and a visit to the Growvite Texel All Ireland event at Finn Valley Show.
Friday 27th June, the first day of the trip saw young breeders from across the nations gathered at the Greene family farm in Culdaff, Co Donegal, welcomed by an impressive display of Texel sheep.
They then went on to visit the Hillcrest flock of William and Stephen Doherty, where they took part in a number of challenges, including a guess the combined weight competition and stock judging which featured a class of six ewe lambs.
Leading the way here was the Scottish team comprising Ewan Mac Taggart, Rascarrel, Kim Laird, Cambwell, Amy Laird, Cambwell, Melissa Buchan, Clinterty and Jack Austin, Woodcroft. The evening concluded with a lively social night in Letterkenny.
Following that on the Saturday it was time for the attendees to visit the All Ireland Texel Show which saw an excellent turnout of quality Texels for all to enjoy. It was notable that genetics from across the five nations were to the fore across the day, emphasising the close ties between breeders in all home nations.
This was followed by a spirited Tug of War, where the UK team took the win.
Celebrations continued with a group meal at McGeetings, Letterkenny, and the presentation of the shield to the top-performing Scottish team. All of those attending extend a heartfelt thank you to all hosts and organisers who made this memorable event possible.
