Irish Sheep Shearers Association

Welcome to the Irish Sheep Shearer's Association (I.S.S.A).The aim of the ISSA is to promote quality sheep shearing in Ireland and to assist in the hosting of regional sheep shearing events each year. If you would like to host a competition or a shearing course you can e-mail paddy@sheepshearingireland.com

Ivan Scott, World Champion

Irishman Scott reclaims shearing record

Irish shearer Ivan Scott relaxed with a triumphant smile on the last side of his last lamb while breaking a World lamb shearing record today at Opepe, near Taupo. Scott shore 744 lambs in eight hours, breaking the old record by just two, a tally of 742 shorn by World champion Cam Ferguson, of Waipawa, NZ, on January 10 last year.

There were some anxious moments in a wool shed near Taupo yesterday, but none handled it better than man-in-the-middle and Irish shearer Ivan Scott as he reclaimed the World eight-hour lambs shearing record.

The 30-year-old four-times All-Ireland Champion, a regular shearing in New Zealand since he was a teenager, shore 744 lambs, but it was only in the last minute and a half that he claimed the record back from Hawke's Bay World champion Cam Ferguson who shore 742 in a King Country woolshed on January 10 last year.

Scott, from Kilmacrennan in County Donegal, calmly smiled too himself as he shore down the last side and turned off the machine for the last time a tick after 5pm, leaving the commentary to judging convenor Bernie Walker, of Euroa, Vic.

Confirming the record in front of over 100 supporters at Opepe, 10km east of Taupo, Mr Walker said: ``The fact that he's broken it by just one or two goes to show how tough it is. It's taken him eight hours, to get that close.''

Scott, working for Rotorua contractor and record attempt organiser Jeff Dorset, previously held the record for two years, after shearing 736 at Rerewhakaaitu, near Rotorua, in December 2008.

On that occasion he opened with a blistering pace, shearing 192 in the first of the four two-hour runs, and had nine lambs rejected during the day before the final tally was recorded.

Needing to better 185.5 per run today, he shore an unblemished 187 in the first run from 7am to morning smoko at 9am. He followed with runs of 189, 187 and 182.

Although there had been five rejected for cuts throughout the rest of the day, he had the target well in sight by lunchtime, when he was five ahead of Ferguson's tally at the same stage. Scott saw Ferguson break his record a year ago, and determined he wanted it back.

The success came yesterday with an army off support from back home, including Republic of Ireland teammate Stanley Allingham, of Garrison, with whom he will shear at the 15th Golden Shears World Championships in Masterton in March.

Chances were he would be back on the board today. There was no let-up after the 2008 record, and the next morning he carried on with 168 in his first two hours.

New Secretary appointed to ISSA.
Eileen Creedon has been appointed as the new secretary to the association.Eileen has been a member of the association & executive committee for many years and she and her husband Tim have successfully run the Top Of Coom Shearing competition for many years.
Eileen is replacing Anne O Sullivan who has served the association well in the years gone bye and we at the association would like to thank Anne for her contribution.

Contact Details: Eileen Creedon, Top Of Coom, Kilgarvin, Co Kerry

064-6685373 or 087-6227360 e-mail: topofcoom@yahoo.ie

New Irish and British Isles Lamb Shearing Record Set.

Roy Collier from Knockrobin, Camolin, Enniscorthy,Co,Wexford set a new Irish and British Isles Shearing Record for Lamb Shearing on Saturday last 27th of August when he shore 521 Lambs in a Nine Hour Shear.
Roy was raising funds for the National Council For The Blind.

Newbridge Aussie Sets National Record at Sheep Shearing Championships, Kilkenny.
Geoff Coller has succeeded in completing a 24-Hour sheep shearing marathon, finishing at 2.30pm on Sunday 5th June. In total he shore 640 sheep and to-date has raised approx €3000 for 2 charities, Barnardo’s and Aware.

The mammoth task began at 4a.m. on Saturday morning and Geoff shore in 2 hour stints, taking set breaks ranging from 15mins to 1 hour depending on mealtimes and rest required. Geoff consumed approx 20 litres of fluid, and put out about the same volume in sweat. He moved approx 54,000 kgs of live weight over the 24 hour period!

A crew of 8 helped to keep sheep stocked up and ready for shearing over 2 days and nights and fellow shearers, Roy Collier, Nigel Clarke and John Quigley made sure that Geoff was kept hydrated and took regular breaks. Geoff paid tribute to Godfrey Potterton and family who also helped in the organising of the event. Declan Houlihan and his helper Muire, handled and packed the wool which amounted to approx 2500 lbs in weight.
Geoff was also helped by numerous family members and friends, who took care of animal handling and collecting money and in particular his 9 year old daughter Lucy, who shook Barnardo’s and Aware collection boxes for 2 days, while she proudly watched her Dad complete the marathon.

The National Sheep Shearing Finals were attended by over 15,000 people and Geoff was delighted to be associated with the event which saw shearers from all over the world competing. Sheep Shearing is a very physical job, demanding a high level of fitness and strength and Geoff had to adhere to a very strict training regime including regular physiotherapy sessions, for what is quite literally, back-breaking work.

Geoff would like to thank, FBD Insurance, Novartis, Core Fitness, Newbridge Sports and Physiotherapy Clinic and The Gables Leisure Centre in Newbridge for their support in preparing him for this event and to congratulate all at Clara Hurling Club in Kilkenny on their successful organising of the Championships. 10/06/11

New Hand Shearing Circut Announced for the West Of Ireland.

Bimeda are delighted to be supporting the Cyperguard Hand Shearing Circuit 2011. Bimeda Sales Manager Andrew Glynn said ‘ It is great to see the hand shearing still strong in the West of Ireland. It is important to keep the young shearer’s interested and to see the likes of Peter Hearty challenging in competitions here in Ireland and on the world stage’
The circuit will commence at The Connacht Sheep Shearing Championships on Sunday 22nd of May in Ballinrobe and will continue at the following venues throughout the region.

The Palm Tree Shearing Festival Corofin Sunday 19th June

Darby's Carrowkenneddy Westport Sunday 3rd July

The Larches Finney Sunday 17th July

The winner will be announced at the Larches on Sunday 17th July.

Visit www.bimeda.ie to view correct sheep dipping procedure movie.

Shearing Courses

We also provide training Courses for shearers young and old. For further information on shearing courses, please click here:

Shearing Courses

Irish Record Holders

We are also in the process of compiling a list of Irish Record Holders - and if you or someone you know is a record holder, please let us know at paddy@sheepshearingireland.com and we will add it to the website.