Camp Annual Sheep fair is held on September 18th. in the village of Camp. The fair dates back centuries to the time of Lord Ventry when a ram auction was held in the village. Lord Ventry brought the first black faced scotch breed of sheep to West Kerry. He carried 1,000 ewes on his lands in Beheenagh, Camp at this time. The fair has survived down through the years and is as always a great social occasion too for the local sheepfarmers and the families of Camp. In recent years the fair has developed and now we have horses and donkeys, fowl and other animals along with the sheep for sale at the fair.
Camp Fair is one of a very few fairs left that sheep are penned at the roadside and buyers come along and make bargains as in days gone by. No weights or measures are available like the marts, so its very much take the sheep as you see her ! and trust the farmer to sell you a good animal that will be healthy and breed well into the future.
The Sheep Show is one of the big events at Camp Fair. Farmers show their quality sheep and they are judged and perpetual trophies in memory of Campmen now herding in greener pastures, are given out for the best animals. The traditional mutton pie is the staple diet on the day. The children gather from school and have water fights and everybody enjoy a nice evening in the local pubs where there is great music and song late into the night.
Camp Sheep Fair
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