Watch the sheepdog demonstration
Three shows a day, Monday to Saturday, at 11am, 1pm and 3.30pm, as Joe Joyce's Border Collies herd Connemara Blackface sheep on a working hill farm. Drop in slightly before to catch the whole show; no booking needed.
Joyce Country Sheepdogs
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About
A working Connemara hill sheep farm where third-generation shepherd Joe Joyce and his Border Collies round up Blackface sheep three times a day — with puppies, pet lambs and donkeys thrown in.
Things to Do
Meet the collies and puppies
The farm is home to fully trained adult border collies and training dogs, plus wriggling pups that usually join the visit when available. Sheepdogs and puppies are also sold here.
Bottle-feed the pet lambs
Beyond the working flock there are two black pet lambs visitors can bottle-feed (one is named Barbara), a goat called Nancy, and a run of chickens and roosters.
Hill farming talk and sheep shearing
The farm visit includes a talk on hill sheep farming in Joyce Country and, in season, the chance to watch sheep being shorn. Allow about an hour.
Stop by Seamie and Síle
Don't leave without visiting the paddock to meet the family's two donkeys, Seamie and Síle, tucked in between the Maumturk and Partry mountains.
Grab a drink at the tea truck
A tea and coffee truck parked at the top of the driveway to the Joyce home, run by Joe's wife Mary-Anne, serves drinks to visitors arriving or leaving.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: Open 1 March – 18 October. Demonstrations and talks at 11am, 1pm and 3.30pm, Monday to Saturday. No booking needed — arrive slightly before a time. Other times by prior arrangement.
- Admission: Adults €15, children under 12 €5
- Parking: Parking is available on site, including wheelchair-accessible parking spaces.
- Food: No café building, but a tea and coffee truck at the farm driveway serves drinks and snacks, run by Mary-Anne Joyce.
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