Hailing from the lowlands of western Ireland, the Galway sheep breed has recently experienced a resurgence of interest, highlighting the country's rich agricultural heritage. This robust, white-fleeced breed has long been an iconic symbol of the Irish countryside, boasting a fascinating history and enduring appeal.

The ancestors of Galway sheep have roamed the Irish countryside for thousands of years, with Neolithic farmers introducing them around 4500 BCE. The earliest archaeological evidence, a sheep's tooth carbon-dated to 4350 BCE, was found on the Dingle Peninsula. By 1000 BCE, the arrival of the Celts brought new flocks, contributing to the genetic ancestry of Galway sheep. Over the following centuries and millennia, various sheep breeds intermingled, resulting in a breed of lowland sheep found throughout Ireland.

During the late 1700s and throughout the 1800s most of Europe, and in particular England, was working to breed new lines of sheep with better quality wool and meat using newly popular and scientific breeding methods. Robert Bakewell is credited with the development of the Leicester sheep, a highly regarded dual-purpose breed. The Leicester and the subsequent New Leicester breed were crossbred back and forth with various English breeds, creating many of the English breeds still in existence today. This process, called improvement, resulted in many of the English breeds that still exist today. Having recently having invaded and occupied Ireland in 1649 by way of Oliver Cromwell, the English gentry owned much of the land on which sheep were raised. They also owned the largest flocks and stood to benefit the most if improvements to the as yet unnamed lowland Irish sheep were made.

During the mid-18th century, Bakewell exported numerous New Leicester sheep to John Baker Holroyd, an acquaintance keen on enhancing his Irish herds. Holroyd, known to agricultural historians as Lord Roscommon, was descended from an English merchant who had moved to Ireland after the English claimed it as British territory in the mid-1600s. With the New Leicester sheep, Lord Roscommon eagerly improved his Irish flocks. Other estate owners and farmers followed suit, crossbreeding the lowland sheep with Leicesters, Lincolns, Cotswolds, and possibly Merinos, Southdowns, and others. By the late 1830s, English sheep breeders noted the significant transformation of the lowland breed, with agriculturalist William Youatt praising their "high state of perfection."

By 1847, this new Irish long-wooled sheep was commonly referred to as to as an unproved Irish Long-wooled breed. However, local breeders continued their improvements, and by 1895 the Roscommon sheep and their accompanying Roscommon Sheep Breeders’ Association was born in North Roscommon. This breed society, however, was short-lived, dissolving in the mid-1920s. However, in 1923 the Galway Sheep Breeders’ Society was born in the town of Athenry in County Galway. Here is where the Galway breed’s origin gets a little bit murky. According to the flock book of the Galway Sheep Breeders’ Society, 6000 ewes and 200 rams were examined for entry into the Galway flock book. Of those, only 600 ewes and 20 rams were admitted, and there is very little detail on how they were selected and what they were selected from. Were the sheep admitted to the Galway Sheep Breeders' Society all Roscommon sheep without breeding records, or were they other Irish sheep that had benefited from the improvements in the 1800s, or perhaps a combination of both? Lack of records means that we cannot know for certain. Some historians argue that the Galway breed is a direct descendant of Roscommon, while others claim Galway sheep are a distinct breed. Galway sheep are somewhat smaller than the historical Roscommon breed but appear to retain some of the Roscommon look. Other historians claim that Galway sheep are a distinct breed of their own and are simply the long-wooled breed that was bred up to, but not after, the mid 1800s.

Despite the Galway Sheep Breeders' Society's efforts, the breed experienced a significant decline in subsequent decades. In the post-WWII era, other breeds such as Suffolk and Suffolk crosses gained popularity, while the native Galway sheep population dwindled. By 1965, only 695 Galway ewes remained in Ireland, with numbers dropping to 207 in 1985 and reaching their lowest count of 160 in 1990. However, as people have increasingly recognized the cultural and genetic heritage of Galway sheep, their numbers have begun to rise. Galway sheep breeders and farmers are now selling Galway wool as the premium product it is, instead of bundling it with other wool types to create homogenous yarn. Food enthusiasts are rediscovering the flavors of Galway lamb and mutton as well.

More and more Irish farmers are recognizing the benefits of raising a breed specifically designed for Ireland's lowlands. Fiber arts historians are also recognizing the importance of Galway sheep in the development of what would eventually become Aran sweaters. Most importantly for fiber artists, the unique qualities of Galway wool are being rediscovered. This exceptional breed is poised to reclaim its presence in Irish pastures and fields, and we truly hope it succeeds.

Galway wool is a remarkable fiber. It boasts an impressive staple length of 5.5-7.5 inches and a subdued luster that beautifully showcases dyes. It has a width of around 30 microns, making it comfortable to wear against the skin. For knitting history enthusiasts, Galway wool has a storied past in Aran sweaters, and its long staple length allows for well-defined knitted cables.

If you're ready to support farmers raising Galway sheep and want to work with Galway wool, we have just received our first shipment of Galway batts directly from Ireland! Our Galway wool is sourced from farms that prioritize wool production over meat, ensuring that you'll find some of the softest Galway wool on the market. Visit our shop or browse online to purchase enough for your next project!