Wild, beautiful and boasting some of the best ‘authentic’ attractions in the county, Joyce Country, located just a one hour drive from Galway city, is a must visit location this summer.
A magical region in north Connemara which stretches from Maam Cross in the south, to Tuar Mhic Éadaig (Tourmakeady ) in the north, the south east of Joyce Country encompasses upper Lough Corrib, as well as Lough Mask to the north east.
Surrounded by the Maamturk Mountains, the wild and flourishing beauty of Joyce Country attracts thousands of tourists and visitors each year, with eager or anxious drivers setting out to journey the winding, lonely roads which connect the different communities in the region.
Joyce Country Sheepdogs
A prime example of the aforementioned 'authentic' attractions that are a must visit is Joyce Country Sheepdogs, located in Shanafaraghaun, Clonbur.
Operating from the family farm of Joe Joyce, a third generation sheep farmer from Joyce Country, the attraction offers 'demonstrations and talks' three times daily, 11am, 1pm and 3:30pm from Monday to Saturday, with availability outside of these times available strictly by appointment only.
Welcoming tourists from around the world, drawn by the alluring promise of dogs and picturesque scenery, Joe's transition from full-time sheep farmer into part-time tourist guide, was accidental. A certified trainer of sheepdogs since the early 2000s, Joe's dogs play a vital role in running the farm.
Overlooking Loch na Fuaiche, the Joyce family farm is located on the slopes of the Partry Mountains, and is opposite the Ceann Garbh mountain. As anyone from the region will tell you, sheep in Connemara go where they want, and do what they want, so it is of little surprise to learn that some of Joe's sheep are the very distant white dots roaming the top of the Ceann Garbh mountain.
Herding sheep at the best of times is tough and tiring work without adding a grazing space that spans a couple of mountains into the equation, as such Joe's dogs, in addition to being a tourist sensation, play a vital role in maintaining the farm and its herd.
Celebrity guests
There are not many ordinary family homes in Ireland that have hosted international A-list celebrities, but Joe's is definitely on the top of the list. With a wall inside the home decorated with photos of actors who have spent time at the farm, including Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, who visited the Joyce sheep farm while filming 'Marley and Me'. Hired as a dog trainer for the film, Joe's farm and his dogs featured in the blockbuster hit film.
What to expect
Offering an experience that combines stunning vistas, playful and adorable dogs and informative talks and demonstrations about sheep dogs, and the heritage and tradition of sheep farming in Joyce Country, visiting Joyce Country Sheepdogs is an authentic insight into 'real' Connemara.
Currently home to six fully trained, adult border collies and three pups (Belle, Tyson and Peg ), in addition to training dogs, Joe also sells sheepdogs. Adorable, eager and fully fixated on any sheep that needs a herding, on more than one occasion, a visitor to Joe's farm has departed from their tour with a new four legged friend joining them on their journey home.
With a menagerie of animals located on the farm, in addition to wriggling border collie pups and friendly veteran sheep dogs, visitors can also bottle feed two black pet lambs (one of which is named Barbara ), a goat called Nancy and a variety of chickens and roosters.
Parked out front of the driveway to the Joyce home is the newly installed tea and coffee truck, which is expertly manned by Joe's wife, Mary-Anne Joyce, helps to quench the thirst of those coming to, or leaving from, the Joyce homestead.
Admission for a talk and demonstration at Joyce Country Sheepdogs is priced at €15 for adults, and €5 for children.
