The Western People is the main sponsor of the event and the newspaper was represented at the launch by CEO, Brian Feeney; Editor, James Laffey and Marketing Manager, Aidan McNulty.

The event is one of the largest in the farming calendar and attracts up to 15,000 people each year. It is expected to provide a massive tourism boost to the South Sligo region and is set to put Tourlestrane and the surrounding villages on the map.

The hosting of the National Finals is a massive undertaking for the local committee in Tourlestrane with Chairman, Con McGarry, informing last week’s launch that detailed preparations are now underway for the pretigious event.

Mc McGarry said the Sheep Dog Trials would give a massive economic boost to the local area and he hoped that everyone in the locality would lend a helping hand in the coming weeks.

Mr Colm O’Donnell, who owns the Border Collie Pub and Shop, said the event was more than just about the Dog Trials; it was a festival and the Tourlestrane area would be a hive of activity for the duration of the national competition. Mr O’Donnell paid particular tribute to Eamon Durkan who had donated his lands for the event.

Mr Brian Feeney, CEO of the Western People, said the newspaper was delighted to be associated with an event that would bring such a bonanza to Sligo. The Western People was very firmly rooted in rural communities and it was proud to be able to assist the people of Tourlestrane with their ambitious project.

Mr Aidan McNulty said he had been editing the Grassroots Section of the Western People for the past decade and he was delighted to celebrate the tenth anniversary by becoming involved in the sponsorship of a national contest. The Sheep Dog Trials was a huge event for farmers all over the country and he had no doubt that Tourlestrane would benefit greatly from the hosting of the event.

The other major sponsors of the Sheep Dog Trials - Sligo Leader Company, Sligo County Council and Fáilte Ireland - were also represented at the launch. Michael Quigley, on behalf of Sligo Leader Company, said it was estimated that

•1m would be spent in the Tourlestrane area during the Dog Trials.

There were also likely to be long-term benefits for South Sligo from the media exposure that would come with the national competition.

Cllr Gerry Lundy, representing Sligo County Council, said the event was the biggest of its kind to come to South Sligo in recent years. He was particularly delighted to learn from recently elected Sligo TD, Eamon Scanlon - who was also in attendance - that Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, would officially open the Dog Trials on Friday, July 27th.

Further details on the National Dog Trials in Tourlestrane will be published in the Western People in the coming weeks. The local committee are looking for volunteers to assist in the many tasks that need to be undertaken in advance of the festival. Volunteers are asked to contact Con McGarry, Colm O’Donnell or any committee member.

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