Leenane Ram Fair
In late October and November, the rams are let out; “tupping time”. Farmers will change rams every couple of years to avoid inbreeding, and the Annual Blackface Ram Fair is held in Leenane. It is a huge social occasion.
The first farmers arrive at five in the morning, and the early birds can be seen moving through the morning darkness with torches to get a first look at the stock available By midday, most of the serious deals have been done.
This does not imply speed; it would be the height of bad manners to try to buy an animal without first having a long chat