Crowds to descend on Kilkenny town today for prestigious national event

A large crowd is expected to descend on Newhouse, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny for the Irish National Sheepdog Trials, which takes place from today (August 24) until August 26.

Hundreds of people from all parts of the world are expected to arrive in the Kilkenny town for the trials and homeowners are being asked to consider renting a room to visitors due to accommodation shortages across the county.

Secretary of the Local Committee, Miriam Lettner, thanked members of the local community who have supported the cause to date and believes the event will create a buzz for Thomastown and Kilkenny at large: "It (the trials) brings something to the community, it’s like the holidays, we all meet up and have a chat."

Local business people are set to benefit from the festivities, with over ten coffee shops and restaurants available to tourists in Thomastown alone.

County Kilkenny is no stranger to hosting the Sheepdog Trials, in 2015 Johnstown in North Kilkenny welcomed participants to the area for the three day national event.

The three day show kicks off each morning at 7am, a food marquee will be available for spectators and admission, which goes towards the costs of hosting the event, is priced at €10.