Sheep are a national symbol in Ireland! It has to be said that there are more sheep than people on Irish soil! You’ll come across them everywhere, wandering the deserted roads of Connemara, or near the big cities… And blocking the way for vehicles doesn’t bother them in the least! They are often marked with a stain of paint, a sign of belonging to a local Irish farmer… The question then arises: why so many sheep in Ireland? What are they for? Why do we love them so much? The answer is here!
Achill Island and its sheep – © Thomas Pitterle
Everything in mutton is good! And even if this maxim is borrowed from the pig, you should know that the sheep is a cheap animal, which brings an excellent return on investment to Irish farmers! It even plays a large part in the development of Ireland’s agricultural economy.
Why? Simply because it’s a low-maintenance, low-food animal. All he needs is a simple sheepfold, and miles of green pastures to roam as he pleases! Ireland, with its lush green expanses, is the place to be!
Most of the time, Irish farmers leave their animals to graze freely, which explains why you’ll find them on Irish roadsides… (Be careful, though: it’s best to avoid a collision between your car and these charming woollen beasts!)
A sheep in Ireland – © MNStudio
As for the fact that sheep are extremely present in Ireland, this is primarily due to the richness of its raw materials. The proof: sheep produce high-quality wool, which can be resold to the textile industry.
From this raw material, the Irish produce large Irish sweaters and tweed, a typical specialty of the island! It is also used in the production of insulation material for Irish homes, to protect them from cold and damp.
In addition to the quality of its wool, this animal is highly prized for its skin, which is often used to make musical instruments such as the bodhràn. Their skins are also used to make clothes and shoes. As for meat, it’s not uncommon for Irish people to eat it. In fact, the meat is quite tender and pleasant to the taste… perfect for a potato stew!
But sheep can also be good for Irish farmers when they’re not on our plates. Irish farmers usually sell them at fairs and competitions, breeding pure-bred sheep to increase their selling price. These are often beautiful beasts, with prices reaching into the tens of thousands of euros!
The question comes up often. In Ireland, it’s more than common to come across sheep whose wool has been spray-painted. Blue spot, pink spot, orange spot… Irish sheep then look like punks, with a big ring of paint on their backs!
But what’s the point?
The answer is simple: these touches of color enable every Irish breeder to recognize the members of his herd. As sheep are fond of long walks in the wilderness, they may accidentally mix with other livestock.
Color-coded buttons make it easy to recognize them at a glance, and also train sheepdogs to identify them and bring them down efficiently.
To sum up, Irish sheep enable farmers to subsist by making use of all the advantages that this animal generates. Tourists have turned them into a veritable mascot, and watch with delight at every turn of the road for these wonderful little creatures that have come to roam the Irish countryside! Let’s face it: they add a certain charm to the Irish landscape…. even if some of them may require patience: you may have to keep your engine off for a few minutes before they decide to let you through!
The country’s charm lies in the funny situations it throws up!
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