West Kerry Sheep Dog Demonstrations
West Kerry Sheep Dog Demonstrations
West Kerry Sheep Dog Demonstrations
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Duration: < 1 hour
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- Shirley G17 contributionsWest Kerry Sheep Dog Demonstration, a fantastic experienceI’ve seen these demos before, but this was the best, hands-down. Bridget was so interesting, and her knowledge of animal husbandry, the lamb and sheep industry in general, and her sense of humor made for such an interesting afternoon. The warm hospitality and Seamus’ music after the demo was the culmination of a fantastic experience.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 8 April 2024
- NancyandDennis53Phoenix, Arizona13 contributionsExtraordinary Experience!Fabulous demonstration of National award winning sheepdogs! Different aged dogs responded to commands and whistles to herd the ewes! Got to bottle feed 3-4 day old lambs. Learned so much about how sheep are raised on the mountain and the lowlands. Bridget and Seamus put on an unforgettable experience! An added treat was a dram of poitin, “ Sheep Dip”! Don’t miss the experience!Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 April 2024
- Diane R6 contributionsSheep Farm Must See in IrelandSo fun! One of my favorite stops in Ireland. The dogs are trained superbly … they use whistles. We bottle fed lambs, played with a puppy, sampled some **! Bridget is informative and friendly in her Grandmothers home. Don’t miss some of her delightful artwork. Seamus plays a native drum … don’t miss this!Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 24 April 2024
- jade778 contributionsWould highly recommend this tour.One of the best highlights of the Vagabonds tour. Bridget explained so well the working of the sheep dogs, plus we got to see the sheep dog in action. Fantastic experience of cottage where Bridget grew up plus Seamus’s music performance.Visited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 25 May 2024
- Dessie CLake Worth, Florida22 contributionsSheep dog DemonstrationThis was such a unique and wonderful experience! Bridget and Seamus were very good and the demonstration of the dogs ability to herd was something to see! After we were able to bottle feed baby lambs and hold one if you wanted. It was so great! If that wasn’t enough we had a shot of Irish moonshine and had a little music and show thanks to Seamus in the charming cottage. Thank you Bridget and Seamus for a beautiful time!Visited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 25 May 2024
- Nila B23 contributionsTop favorite of 11 day tour!One of the top highlights of our Vagabond Tour was a visit to West Kerry Sheep Dog Demonstrations. Bridget, Seamus, Bridget’s daughter and their two amazing sheep dogs, Jess and Sam, were extremely welcoming, friendly, informing and impressive! Bridget shared her family’s multiple generation history of the sheep farm, patiently explained their operation, how Jess and Sam are trained and gave us a demonstration showing their exceptional herding abilities. After the field demonstration, we enjoyed time feeding and holding lambs, as well as time in the family home with Seamus and Bridget’s daughter sharing Irish music with us. Bridget patiently answered many questions from our group, and everyone on our tour agreed this was a top favorite!Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 September 2024
- Lbyork31Raleigh, North Carolina3 contributionsMemorable, fun and informative!We had a fantastic hour on the farm with Bridget, Sheamus and their talented dogs! It was informative, fun and interactive. After learning details about training and watching the dogs (and sheep) in action, we got to bottle feed and hold some babies. Bridget takes time to answer all questions. Great experience!Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 September 2024
- Marla MCorona, California40 contributionsA Thrilling Experience!I visited West Kerry Sheep Dogs as part of a small-group tour--and it was one of the highlights of my trip. I've seen many sheepdog demos on TV, like on Rick Steves Europe, and I always thought they looked rather boring. I don't know if was Bridget and her partner Seamus, who made this a thrilling experience or if you just have to witness these incredible dogs in person, but I was floored by the demo. And what really made it special was Bridget. You won't find many women sheepherders, so visiting West Kerry is a unique experience. I learned so much about not only the business of raising and herding sheep but Bridget's life as well, from growing up in a family of sheepherders to what her life is like now. I could have listened to her for hours!Visited September 2024Travelled soloWritten 9 November 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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5.0
127 reviews
Excellent
126
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1
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Maureen L
54 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
I can't say enough about the wonderful afternoon spent with Bridget and Seamus at their beautiful sheep farm. If you are looking for an authentic, real working sheep farm which evokes the feeling of an old Irish tradition brought into today's world, this is the place for you. I put much care into planning the Ireland trip of my dreams, and I was so glad to find this place. As I was researching sheepdog demonstrations I found farms that would host up to 50, even 100 people at a time to witness the demonstrations. I wanted something more small scale so I could take part in the day, and this is what West Kerry Farm does. Bridget is a gifted public speaker and thoroughly explains exactly how the dogs are trained and how they become accomplished at their herding skills. So impressed with Sam and Ruby and how well they controlled the sheep based on whistle commands. Seamus brings to life a traditional Irish wooden puppet dance that takes you back in time to your Irish roots. Being able to hold and feed the sweet lambs was just absolutely wonderful. And being brought into a traditional Irish cottage on their family farm property is something I will always treasure. I felt like I stepped back into a world I had only heard about through my relatives' stories from their lives in Ireland. I think what will stick with me the most though is the genuineness and love that Seamus and Bridget have not only for their country but for their farm and their family traditions. It was a one in a million find, and I encourage everyone to book with them. You won't be disappointed.
Written 8 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BBBfromJersey
New Brunswick, NJ2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
What a wonderful experience! Bridget and Shamus and family provided the dozen people on our small group tour a wonderful afternoon including a sheepdog demonstration and allowing us to bottle feed as well as hold the sheep. The explanation of the work that it takes to train the sheepdogs as well as to manage the herd and the farm was eye-opening. I would highly recommend spending an afternoon at the West Kerry sheepdog demonstration
Written 26 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingTexan
2 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
This was a wonderful experience! Our travel group included grandparents (60s yo), parents (40s yo), singles (30s yo), and 2 children (12 and 8yo) - every family member walked away talking about the part they loved the most. From the actual demonstration, to seeing and bottle feeding days-old lambs, to hearing Bridget’s stories about growing up on the farm, and even petting the dogs… every part of it was fantastic.
I would also bring extra cash… Bridget has some incredible art using wool that is just gorgeous.
I would also bring extra cash… Bridget has some incredible art using wool that is just gorgeous.
Written 13 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Novea Rikuo
1 contribution
Jun 2023
It was so amazing to see the dogs perform their magic with the sheep! Bridget was able to explain just how they use their dogs to help take care of their sheep. Not only is it technically amazing but it's so enjoyable to see the dogs loving their work so much! It must be like play to them. After running around herding the sheep, the dogs would run over to our group and lie down for some pets! They seem so happy and at peace. We were able to bottle feed some baby lambs which was totally amazing. Then we saw the cottage where Bridget's grandparents lived and where her mother grew up. Bridget also does some needle felt artwork with her own wool and I was so impressed with her skill, I bought of her pictures. It is a beautiful piece of folk art that I am having framed to remind me of that happy time.
Written 24 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sevencritters
Toronto, Canada3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Outstanding experience, and one of the highlights from our Ireland trip.
Bridget and Seanous demonstrated their amazing border collies with the sheep and we learned how a family run sheep farm for at least 100 years operates.
We got to interact with the lovely and friendly dogs, feed the sheep, and feed the beautiful donkeys. We learned about how they bring the sheep down from the mountain three times a year, and Bridget answered all of our questions, including how the sheep with Seanous and how the entire operation works.
Then we were invited inside where we were treated to Irish music, and further history about the farmhouse.
Then Bridget went out of her way to advise us to take a Conor Pass, which was incredibly beautiful, and we would not have known about. She was warm and friendly and incredibly helpful as with her husband shamus.
We would highly recommend visiting this working farm.
Thank you Bridget and Seamous.
Kind regards, Michele and Allan.
Bridget and Seanous demonstrated their amazing border collies with the sheep and we learned how a family run sheep farm for at least 100 years operates.
We got to interact with the lovely and friendly dogs, feed the sheep, and feed the beautiful donkeys. We learned about how they bring the sheep down from the mountain three times a year, and Bridget answered all of our questions, including how the sheep with Seanous and how the entire operation works.
Then we were invited inside where we were treated to Irish music, and further history about the farmhouse.
Then Bridget went out of her way to advise us to take a Conor Pass, which was incredibly beautiful, and we would not have known about. She was warm and friendly and incredibly helpful as with her husband shamus.
We would highly recommend visiting this working farm.
Thank you Bridget and Seamous.
Kind regards, Michele and Allan.
Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ainslie G
Chicago, IL8 contributions
Jul 2023
We stopped here as part of our tour with Brewery Hops of Ireland. We had heard about sheep dog demonstrations when we were planning our trip but weren't sure what to expect. We are so glad that we decided to visit. Bridget was so welcoming and informative about the way of life on a working farm that has been in her family for generations. We learned how the dogs are trained to herd sheep and saw demonstrations. The highlight of our trip was feeding and holding the baby lambs. They were so sweet and we all really enjoyed it.
This is a great small group experience on an authentic, working farm. If you make it to Kerry, be sure to check this out!
This is a great small group experience on an authentic, working farm. If you make it to Kerry, be sure to check this out!
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brooke G
8 contributions
May 2022
We had so much fun here. The sheepdog demonstration was incredible, it was so fun to watch. The owners are very friendly and you can tell how passionate they are about their work. After the demonstration we got to feed the cute little lambs, and the owners told us stories and their family history on the farm. I highly recommend this activity, it is a fun adventure that is pretty rare to experience.
Written 6 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ranae J
Cedar Rapids, IA5 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Wonderful experience! The dogs are fantastic athletes and watching them work was amazing. I truly felt as if I was being hosted by good friends; Bridget and Seamus made us feel so welcome by sharing stories of the area and their own personal experiences. Next is the scenery… fantastic! We even learned some hurling and drumming. Make sure to ask them any questions you have.
Written 28 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stacy R
6 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
This was probably my favorite experience of all the things we did on our 8 day trip exploring the Irish countryside. Bridget was informative and warm. The sheepdog demos were cool and I learned a lot and the farm is just absolutely beautiful.
After seeing The sheepdog demonstrations we got to feed some baby lambs and then I was able to hold one, which was just one of the most delightful experiences of my life. It was really stinky but when it laid its little head down on my shoulder and relaxed in my arms I just about melted. And because of their wool, the stinkiness of the lamb didn't get all over my clothes lol.
After feeding the baby lambs we went into Bridget's grandparents restored authentic home where we learned some more about Irish history, saw some of Bridget's really beautiful artworks and had a little musical performance from her partner, Seamus.
I would give this a 10 out of 5 if I could!
After seeing The sheepdog demonstrations we got to feed some baby lambs and then I was able to hold one, which was just one of the most delightful experiences of my life. It was really stinky but when it laid its little head down on my shoulder and relaxed in my arms I just about melted. And because of their wool, the stinkiness of the lamb didn't get all over my clothes lol.
After feeding the baby lambs we went into Bridget's grandparents restored authentic home where we learned some more about Irish history, saw some of Bridget's really beautiful artworks and had a little musical performance from her partner, Seamus.
I would give this a 10 out of 5 if I could!
Written 24 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy F
Murfreesboro, TN452 contributions
Sept 2021
We did this fun and unique activity this afternoon. It was a little hard to know exactly where they were and in fact we passed them at first because they hadn’t put their sign out for the day yet. Go to their website and use the Google feature to track where you are and exactly where they are. Bridget was our host and she shared so much information about the dogs (background, training them, breeding and competitions they’ve done), the sheep ( where they live and wander, how and when to bring them in from the hills), and even what life was and is like in the Irish countryside. We watched 2 different dogs perform herding of some sheep, got to bottle feed some lambs, played with a couple of puppies, and then spend some time in the old cottage learning from Bridget about life on the farm, and Seamus even provided some entertainment. Total time was about an hour. This was great for adults and I’m sure kids would love it too.
Written 1 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Written 12 February 2023
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