Ireland has about 380 million accents, roughly divided into 160 million regional accents; add a bit of Aussie to the mix and the judges of the Irish accent competition at this year’s Irish Woolfest at Boorowa may find their task a “taid” challenging. Photo: File.
Ireland has about 380 million accents, roughly divided into 160 million regional accents; add a bit of Aussie to the mix and the judges of the Irish accent competition at this year’s Irish Woolfest at Boorowa may find their task a “taid” challenging.
Even if competitors go rogue with the brogue, the event is certain to be “aird a tharraingt” among the packed program of fun forever dedicated to celebrating the district’s homegrown, world-renowned fine Merino wool, now with a touch of the Irish, set down for the October long weekend.
Woolfest had its genesis in the late 1990s when an entire week dedicated to the golden fleece, with wool shows, wool workshops, shearing displays and a whole loom of woolly activity, culminated in a sheepy street parade rivalling the best in Europe.
It was around 2000 when locals decided to draw on Boorowa’s strong Irish connections – dating back to the 1820s when cousins Roger Corcoran and Ned Ryan arrived in the area on a ‘’Ticket of Leave’’, then playing prominent roles in the settlement and growth of the district – and Irish Woolfest took its first bow.
Today everything Irish and wool is crammed into a weekend rollickin’ good time full of craic, woolly wonders, and a dash of Irish charm, peaking in a Sunday street parade complete with the time-honoured feature event: The Running of the Sheep.
With all the flourish of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, albeit with far fewer horns and brawn, the Running of the Sheep provides a visually exciting display of mustering down Marsden Street, complete with the four-wheel motorbike in full throttle and sheepdogs leaping on and off the sheeps’ back.
Irish Woolfest opens unofficially on Friday, 4 October, with a cocktail party/charity art show and sale at The Old Courthouse Building, live music at the Boorowa Hotel and the “Absolutely Superb Comedy Show” at The Occasional Wine Bar, in Marsden Street.
Saturday, as the charity art show and sale continues, barefoot bowls and a quick-shear competition will dominate action at the Boorowa Ex-Services Club, while visitors to the town can soak up the local history at Boorowa Museum and later immerse themselves in live music and a movie night in preparation for the full day of activity on Sunday.
On the big day, the 11:45 am Blessing of the Fleece and official opening precede the official street parade and Running of the Sheep at 12:15 pm.
And if the sheep balloon sculptures, working-dog trials and car, antique engine and tractor display don’t rock you to your bucolic roots, there are wool demonstrations, a black and coloured sheep display, a petting zoo, a shearing shack, woodchoppers, circus performances, market stalls, Irish dancers and, to top it off, a Guinness Pie-Eating Competition to sink your choppers into.
Visitor numbers increase each year at the Irish Woolfest, which is well known for its outstanding and professional performers, including the Australian Youth Choir, John MacNally, Cat and Fiddle, The Tullys, Saoirse, The Irish Drovers and Enchanted Ireland with Annalisa Kerrigan and Tim Manning, an outstanding Irish dancer.
This year, Victorian Irish rock and traditional punk band Double Shot Maggie is the headline act alongside award-winning duo The Raglins, with their contemporary approach to traditional Australian, English and Irish ballads and folk songs.
Take a walk on the wild side by experiencing The Shamrock Trail, a self-guided walk that relives the fascinating history of Boorowa, complete with its settlers, convicts and bushrangers.
Into the night, the new beer garden at the Ram and Stallion Hotel is hosting a pizza night, while live music will be on offer at The Occasional Wine Bar and rugby league fans can catch the grand final action at local watering holes – including the Ex-Services Club and Courthouse Hotel.
Boorowa is on the Lachlan Valley Way, 35 minutes from Yass, one hour and 15 minutes from Canberra, and three hours and 20 minutes from Sydney.
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