Intense competition, nerves on edge and amazing skills were on display during the Mountbellew Community Sheep-shearing Festival 'Shearfest 2025' over the June Bank Holiday weekend.

The event brought competitors from France, Germany, Spain, the UK and closer to home to pitch their skills against each other in what has been described locally as the 'Olympics of Shearing'.

A substantial prize fund was also up for grabs which helped to attract competitors from Australia and New Zealand for the open competitions. 

The festival saw two of the winners, Denis O’Sullivan and Martin Hopkins, secure their places on the team to represent Ireland at the 2026 Golden Shears shearing and wool handling champions in New Zealand.

Denis O’Sullivan earned his place by winning the National Machine Competition, and Martin Hopkins earned his place by winning the National Blade Competition at Mountbellew.

Hazel Crowe is also heading to the world championships in New Zealand next March after winning the national Woolhandling competition.

Meanwhile Brian Kealy and Sean Dunne will make up the junior team to represent Ireland in the development test in Lochearnhead Shears competition in Scotland.

Overall Richard Jones from Wales was named as this year's European Open Champion at the Mountbellew Community Sheep-shearing Festival.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, has praised the organising team behind the 2025 Mountbellew Community Sheep-shearing Festival.

The minister also highlighted the role played by Galway Rural Development (GRD) in supporting the festival, through the LEADER programme.

Almost €130,000 of funding was provided to the Mountbellew Social Development Co-op Society to promote and deliver the event.

Conor Carty, senior manager, GRD said that the organisation were delighted with the success of the event.

"I’m a farmer myself and I know how important these community-driven events are," Carty said.

Junior:

1: Brian Kealy;

2: Sean Dunne;

3: James Hopkins;

4: Ryan Erskine;

5: Eoghan McParland;

6: Archie Kells.

Intermediate:

1: Joseph Scahill;

2: Ciaran Lawless;

3: Joel Lamont;

4: Adam Killeen;

5: Peter Losty;

6: Shaun Maguire.

Senior:

1: Jason McNiece;

2: Matthew Cowan;

3: Ben Scott;

4: Aaron Magee;

5: Andrew Davidson;

6: Shane McDonagh.

Senior Test

1st Northern Ireland: Matthew Cowan & Andrew Rea

2nd Ireland- Paddy Dunne & Luke Magee

Open Blade:

1: Martin Hopkins;

2: Allan Oldfield;

3: James Hopkins;

4: Sam McConnell;

5: Noel Joyce;

6: Gavin Hopkins.

National Blade:

1: Martin Hopkins;

2: James Hopkins;

3: Noel Joyce;

4: Patrick Moran;

5: Gavin Hopkins;

6: John O’Shea.

National Machine:

1: Denis O’Sullivan;

2: Ivan Scott;

3: Ben Scott;

4: Stanley Allingham;

5: Patrick Corrigan;

6: Aaron Magee.

European Open Plate:

1: Nick Greaves;

2: Llyr Jones;

3: Ivan Scott;

4: Denis O’Sullivan;

5: Matthew Cowan;

6: Graeme Davidson.

European Open Cup Championship:

1: Richard Jones;

2: Gwion Evans;

3: Gavin Mitch;

4: Jack Robinson;

5: Dylan Jones:

6: Ilan Jones.