Ear to the Ground in Westmeath this week

RTÉ show Ear to the Ground will focus on Moate on Thursday as it recaps on the European Championships for Irish Red Setters on Snipe which took place near the town last November.

This competition is based on how the dogs work the bog and at the end of the four days the best of the best are decided by the experienced judges. It was the first time in decades that the competition has moved from France and it was a source of much excitement for dog enthusiasts in Ireland. 

The trials were run under the rules of the Irish Kennel Club and use snipe, which are plentiful and are uninjured.

Jim McCormack was one of the organisers of the 2017 championships which were held on the bog beside his house near Moate. Jim told Ear to the Ground how delighted he is to see how the sport is growing and becoming more popular both here and in Europe. 

Darragh McCullough of Ear to the Ground went to Moate in November to try his hand at the sport and to witness day one of the trials.

The programme will be broadcast this Thursday on RTÉ One, at 8.30pm.