Killary Sheep Farm

Visiting a traditional working farm is an excellent idea for a fun weekend getaway with your family. Thanks to the wide range of activities, everyone will enjoy spending time at Killary Sheep Farm. Guests of all ages will be pleased with the company of trained sheepdogs and baby lambs. Get rested and inspired in a rural landscape, meet working dogs, and discover sheep farming traditions.

Guardian dogs

When you think of a trip to Ireland, visiting a sheep farm may not be on your list of experiences. But after observing a sheep herding show, your visit to the farm will become the highlight of your journey. The show is one of a kind, being a live performance amid the stunning natural background. Herding dogs masterly round up, manage, and control sheep. The working dogs—Sweep, Lassie, and Fly, work in a team and bring dynamics into a peaceful landscape. Watching the sheepdog demo in such a great environment is a fantastic experience! Any observer can notice the integral role of working dogs in herding. After the demo, you will have the opportunity to help feed baby lambs, which is no less fascinating activity.

Training a sheepdog to herd takes a lot of time and effort. However, the final result is unbelievable. A harmonious working relationship between farmers and their canine teammates is the key to keeping a herd together. Witnessing their active collaboration in action is impressive—you will be captivated by the precision, agility, and harmony. If you have never seen dogs herd sheep, you will be fascinated to see the dog following commands spoken about 300 meters away. The sheepdogs are keen to show the audience what they have learned. Ruck is the show's star, quickly seizing all the guests' minds!

Tour and activities

Killary Sheep Farm is situated on the southern shores of Killary Harbour, 6km from the Village of Leenane. Some visitors stop by Killary Sheep Farm on a Connemara and Galway day tour. Visitors may attend the sheepdog shows, turf-cutting workshops, and sheep shearing demonstrations. The most beloved activity among visitors is bottle feeding of lambs. All the activities at the farm are suitable for all ages, and kids will be incredibly charmed! We recommend buying the tickets online in advance and arriving early so you don't miss the demo. The demonstrations and workshops are held at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. daily as well as by appointment. Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour starts. An individual ticket costs €12, and a family ticket is €40.

During spring and summer, you are welcome to participate in the heartwarming activity of feeding orphaned lambs. By joining this farm tour, you will look after adorable lambs who need special care and attention. The bottle-feeding occasion is charged with positive emotions and feelings. At the end of this activity, some guests are ready to take a tiny orphaned sheep home. Please note that the experience is available from March 17 to August 15.

The farm welcomes visitors from June 1 to August 15 for a unique occasion. During these months, workers cut the wool off sheep with hand shears in a traditional way. Nowadays, hand shearing is not popular, as most farmers use machines. At Killary Sheep Farm, they believe that machines take too much wool off, and sheep can get cold.

After having funny moments at the farm, you may hike up to find an authentic Irish peat bog. You will learn what it was like to create fuel in a country with few trees. A centuries-old practice of harvesting peat to heat homes consists of the turf being cut from the bog using a two-sided spade called a sleán. There is also an opportunity to touch the moss that decomposes into peat over the aeons.

The tour includes picturesque walks through the farm territory overlooking Killary Fjord. The sweeping views of the mountain ranges are stunning, so there is no need to add filters when taking pictures. Moreover, you may get lovely family photos with the actual sheepdog. Kids love wearing gumboots and walking sticks while walking up the hill.

Visitors can book a private tour to make the experience more intimate. If you wish to tailor the tour to your preferences, please contact the administration to arrange an exclusive tour. You will have a chance to embrace the charm of rural life and learn more about sheep herding. Such a personalized experience will add to creating lasting memories.

Family business

Killary Sheep Farm has been run by the same generation for several decades, making it an even more exciting place to visit. Tom Nee is the fourth-generation owner of the farm. Today, the farm is home to up to 200 ewes and lambs who roam freely on the territory. The majority are blackhead sheep, as they are resistant to cold, wind, and rain.

The owner is very knowledgeable and will answer any questions you may have. During your visit, you will see Tom using vocal commands for his sheepdog to corral the animals. In summer, Tom and his team shear sheep using traditional methods that are uncommon now. Even if you plan your visit in September, when the season ends, you will still have a great time. Tom and his team will manage off-season visits just as well. You will receive raincoats, wellies (boots), and walking sticks, no matter the weather. Tom is always happy to see guests and visitors and looks forward to introducing them to all the animals on his farm.

The team will explain the integral role of the bond between humans and animals. At Killary Sheep Farm, workers and farmers do their best to make each tour and activity an unforgettable experience. They do their jobs with genuine love and show their respect for traditional sheep farming.

Do not hesitate to include the farm in your list. During your visit, you will learn many exciting facts about farming in a breathtaking setting. Killary Sheep Farm offers unique activities, sincere emotions, and cultural insights. It is also very cost-efficient, as the views alone are worth the price of a ticket.