Border Collies / Sheep / Exhibits

That's quite convenient timing as it happens. The 2010 calender isn't out yet, but the 2009 one still is for reference; keep a close eye on http://www.sheepdogchampionships.co.uk/ over the coming months (yes, I know it's a .co.uk address and you're talking Ireland, but trust me on this).

See also http://www.internationalsheepdogtrials.co.uk/, come to think of it.

@ Fwoggie: Thank you for the quick info. I will keep my eye on the web site for the dates for 2010 to appear. I would also love to hear from anyone who may know of an individual farm that may offer the ability to see their dogs at work. If anyone has any additional tips, please let me know! :) Thanks!

To watch a farmer, try emailing Cumbria's tourist board (if you can't find it, try searching for the lake district tourist board). I dunno if there's public demonstrations, but you never know, there might be a farmer who's OK with you tagging along. They work phenomenally long hours mind...

I went on a Ring of Kerry tour while I was staying in Killarney and we stopped at a farm where a gentleman showed us all his different types of sheeps, and then demonstrated the dogs doing different sheep herding commands. It was really great and the highlight of my ring of kerry tour!! I don't remember what it was called, but I think pretty much every Ring of kerry tour stops there so you could always just ask the tours (look up tours from Killarney).

I also remembering reading about one that was somewhere near the Killarney National Park where you could go and watch the same type of thing. I read about it in Rick Steeves guidebook. I didn't end up getting there because I didn't have a car, but if you do that would be an option as well.

Irish Farmers´ Association.

ICSA.

Working sheep farms.