It may not be the most obvious focus for a European Capital of Culture event, but Galway 2020 will be celebrating everything and anything to do with sheep - from farm to fork, the catwalk, and everything in between.
Project Baa Baa will explore sheep farming, food production, wool, agritourism, innovation, and sustainability, through 11 different events, including a symposium, exhibitions, a conference and workshops, a film series, fashion and textiles, and a banquet.
The first EU Congress of Sheep Farming & Associated Traditions will take place in Claregalway Castle on Friday May 29 and Saturday 30. It will bring together sector experts from across the world to present current thinking and discuss the future development of sheep farming, food production, wool, and sustainable practices.
There will be a series of panel discussions and workshops as well as demonstrations and tastings from Irish and international producers. On the first day, the conference will be hosted by presenter of RTÉ's Countrywide, Damien O’Reilly, who will lead the discussions with farmers, and representatives of Teagasc, Bord Bia, and Government agencies.
The second day of the congress, entitled ‘Living with Sheep’, will be open to the public. There will be displays of more than 20 sheep breeds; sheepdog trials; competitive sheep shearing demonstrations from the ISSA 2019 team, including world champion, Ivan Scott; a ‘Spinning a Yarn’ installation; talks and workshops in spinning, weaving, and dyeing wool; and displays from woollen mills, hand weavers, crafters, and artisan food producers.
For more information see www.projectbaabaa.ie
