Sean will speak about the history of hill farming and where the Cladoir/Claddagh sheep fitted it. There is a fee to attend.
Agricultural History Society of Ireland/Cumann Stair Thalmhaíocht na hÉireann
Annual Conference 2026
2–4 July
SHEEP AND WOOL IN IRELAND:
HISTORY AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Thursday 2 July
Evening gathering at conference venue: Leenane Hotel, Conamara, Co. Galway, H91 NH93
Friday 3 July
Leenane Hotel
10am–11am Presentation 1: ‘How Wool Transformed Prehistoric Ireland’
Dr Mark Haughton, School of Archaeology, University College Dublin
12pm–1pm Presentation 2: ‘Sheep Farming in West Connacht’
Seán Cadden, author of Seventy Years in the Wild West and member of the
Cladóir Sheep Preservation Committee
1pm–2pm Lunch
2pm–3:30pm Panel Discussion: ‘The Historical Importance of Wool to Irish Farmers,
Current Markets and Future Potential Uses’
Mícheál McDonnell, sheep farmer and member of the Irish Natura and Hill
Farmers’ Association
Sinéad Grimes, Forum Connemara and Leader Wool Partnership
4pm–5pm Field Trip 1
Guided tour at Connemara Sheep and Wool Centre, Leenane
6pm Conference dinner and launch of committee member Michael Loughman’s
book James Ryan and the Development of Independent Ireland, 1892–1970
Saturday 4 July
Leenane Hotel
10am–11am Annual General Meeting of the Agricultural History Society of Ireland
11:30am Field Trip 2
Visit to Joyce Country Wool, Seanadh Farracháin, Fionnaithe, F12 EV82
