Thursday, June 9, 2011

Sheep Country, West Ireland

Into these hills to graze and lamb wander the 600 sheep belonging to Joe Joyce and 4 other farmers in this valley. Mr. Joyce demonstrated for us how he works with his Border Collies. 
Mr. Joyce and the other farmers drive the sheep back to the village 5 times a year for dip, lamb checks, inoculations, shearing. The dogs, seeming independently, gather the sheep from away to the tops of these mountains and beyond.
Joyce Country Sheepdogs' website is here.
A lake fills the bottom of the valley in front of the village. Joe lives on the other side of the lake. He takes his dogs across the lake in his motor boat. As they tear up the mountain, he can see and direct them from back out on the lake.

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