Perry sets new Irish 9-hour solo lamb record with 858 head

Professional shearer and farmer from Co Tyrone, Tom Perry, has successfully set a new Irish 9-hour lamb shearing record attempt, with a count of 858.

He smashed the previous record of 708 lambs on Norma Hoy’s farm in Co Antrim on Saturday, July 29^th, 2023, all while raising funds for Rural Support.

Up until this, Fermanagh native, Stanley Allingham, held the record, which he set in 2019 in Co Cavan, clinching the title from Co Louth’s Mark McGeown who set the previous record of 669 lambs.

From run one, Perry continued to lead with a tally as follows:

Ahead of the record attempt, Perry outlined that in order to beat Stanley’s record, he would have to shear a lamb every 45 seconds across 9 hours.

‘The Olympics of sheep shearing’ two-day event

Clonmany Agricultural Show, which will celebrate 54 years in 2023, “returns with a bang this year” for two days on August 8^th and August 9^th.

According to organisers, the show is “a celebration of rural Ireland, all things farming, the environment and arts”.

A spokesperson outlined that this year is “made extra special with a unique aspect”.

Nations Shearing and Wool Handling will add what they described as “an incredible dimension to an already wonderful” two-day show.

Over the course of the two-day event, spectators can expect to see a staggering 1400 sheep shorn.

“This will be an exhilarating spectacle on a purpose-built stage while commentators keep the crowd up-to-date and entertained,” a spokesperson told That’s Farming editor, Catherina Cunnane.

“Plans are in place to live stream the event all over the world. All roads lead to Clonmany for the biggest event in the Irish sheep sector this year.”

Shearing competitors are at the peak of physical fitness, and Irish sheep shearer and veteran commentator, George Graham, describes the event as “the Olympics of sheep shearing with the finest athletes from all over the world”.

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