First sheep shearing in town in Kilkenny for a generation!

Galway Sheep grazing at the Dalton Farm, Coolroe, Graignamanagh, with Brandon Hill in the background

Many years have passed since sheep going to the market or to shearing has been a common sight in Graignamanagh, but earlier this summer an event at Cushendale Woolen Mill revived that tradition.
It’s a business and tradition that the Cushen family are rightly proud of, reviving age-old customs and creating a modern product that will last for years.

Many of the children who went along to this year’s shearing, and even many of the grown ups, had never witnessed the shearing process, or even been up close to a sheep. Some of the older attendees did remember sheep being brought to take a dip in the River Barrow before heading to the market.

For Philip Cushen it was a special day as he recalled shearing days with his own father in the past, and now took part with his own daughter Miriam and grandson Edward.