‘It’s a man and his dog, doing the same as someone would have done 100 years ago’

Davy Corrigan is putting two dogs and 10 sheep through their paces. His Border Collies must take the sheep through a series of gates, divide them into two groups and get both groups into different pens within 25 minutes.

To anyone unfamiliar with sheepdog trials, this looks like an impossible task. Yet, through the wizardry of varying whistles, vocal commands and body language, the dogs split the group and pen them, to the applause of the people watching.

It's the international sheepdog trials in Kilbegnet, Co Roscommon, where Ireland is competing against England, Scotland and Wales.

One of the 60 competitors will be crowned supreme champion at the end of it all. It’s the first time the international trials have been held in Connacht and a crowd of 20,000 will have attended before it ends tomorrow evening.

Such is the draw of the championships that enthusiasts have come from places such as Sweden, Austria, Denmark, South Africa and the US.

These include Jim Easton, chairman of the International Sheep Dog Society. He was awarded an MBE for services to sheepdogs and farming and was impressed with Queen Elizabeth's knowledge of sheep dogs when he met her.

Last week he escorted Princess Anne at the world trials in Scotland. “She’s our patron and she’s very knowledgeable on farming and sheepdogs. Very down to earth.”

Trial by TV

One Man and his Dog brought sheepdog trials to the public and the television show's competition was won three times by Con McGarry, Irish national president of the International Sheep Dog Society. He says interest in sheep dog trials has "multiplied tenfold" in recent years. "So many professional people are coming in to do this now. We're seeing accountants, doctors, solicitors, school teachers, members of An Garda Síochána."

What is the attraction? “When you ask them why, they say not everybody likes to beat a little white ball around a big field,” he says. “It’s the love of the land, getting back to nature. It’s the ability to handle sheep with their dog. It’s the satisfaction and the calmness they get from it. It’s more therapeutic than the pub.”

People also like the fact that the activity hasn't changed in hundreds of years, says Judith Sheen, chief executive of the society. "It's still a man and his dog working with sheep, doing exactly the same as someone would have done 100 years ago."

Women handlers are in a minority at the trials but Julie Hill is flying the flag for women this weekend as captain of the Scottish team.

One of her rivals is James McGee from Ballybofey, who became world champion in 2011 but lost his title last weekend. His dog, Silver, is just 18 months old “and probably the best dog I’ve had to date”.

There may be dozens of dogs at the event, but they are remarkably quiet, with hardly a bark to be heard. “They are well used to being out and about like this,” he says. “A barking dog would be frowned upon, because it would be distracting for someone competing.”