In Ireland, sheep may rule the hillsides, but it’s the dogs that truly run the show. Generations of Joyce family farmers in Connemara have relied on border collies to herd sheep with skill, speed, and a language of whistles and hand signals. Today, Joe Joyce is not only farming but training the next generation of sheepdogs and offering visitors a glimpse into this timeless Irish craft.
You see sheep all over Ireland. They are grazing the hillsides and often strolling Ireland's one-lane roads. They are resplendent showing their spray-painted brandings. And they are all minded by sheepdogs. In fact, some would say sheepdogs are some of Ireland's most enthusiastic workers.
Joe Joyce sure does. For generations, his family has run sheep on the mountains of Connemara.
"You've got to get a puppy at about a year of age," Joe says.
"They need that maturity to do this. But the good ones, they take to it and learn the whistles and signals in a few weeks or even a month. And there are some who never do get it. We call them 'sooners'; we'd sooner they moved on."
He focuses on border collies because of their natural herding tendencies. They originated in the border counties between England and Scotland. They are taught whistles and hand signals to go clockwise, counterclockwise hold the sheep or bring them down. And even when they are way up the mountain, he never raises his voice.
Read more
"The better the dog, the easier my work," Joe says.
And these days, he's turning his focus on raising sheepdogs and training them for others, as the price of wool and interest in raising sheep from future generations, wanes.
And with every sheepdog demonstration, you get spectacular views of Connemara, and stories, stories, stories.
You can find him, his sheep, and his highly trained sheepdogs at www.joycecountrysheepdogs.ie.
This article was submitted to the IrishCentral contributors network by a member of the global Irish community. To become an IrishCentral contributor click here.
Comments