The Galway originates in the West of Ireland and the majority of pedigree flocks are found in Galway and County Clare.

The Galway is hornless, with a clean white face and a small top-knot of wool on the forehead. It is a large sheep, the average bodyweight of a mature ewe being in the region of 163 pounds (74 kg). The legs are of medium length with good bone, and covered with wool to the knees and hocks.

The Galway is classified as a Longwool, though it has a only a moderately long fleece, the staple length varying from four and a half to seven and a half inches (11 - 19 cms). Average fleece weight is 6 to 8 pounds (2.7 to 3.6 kg) and the wool is fine in texture (Bradford count 48s - 56s) with a good crimp.

The Galway is docile and easily managed and is very durable, keeping its teeth to a great age.

In 1969 the Galway Sheep Breeders Society in Ireland introduced, with the help of An Foras Taluntais (now Teagasc), a recording scheme which was coupled with selection for improved prolificacy.

Great progress was made and the average prolificacy in pedigree flocks is now around 170%, with the best managed flocks achieving 200%.

Growth rate is good, with lambs reaching 37kg at 100days

The first pedigree Galways were imported by Alan & Dorthe Cheese in 1990, a selection of prolific sheep being made from the flocks of Tom Sice, Bernard Fallon, Joe Casey, Jimmy Greaney, Martin Fitzpatrick, Paddy Broderick and the Maher Brothers.

The resulting Mavesyn flock continued until 1994, when it was taken on by John Heathcote Ball, under the Ulverscroft prefix. In 1997 Mr Heathcote Ball also acquired the major part of the Dal flock, derived from the original imported stock.

The Galway is listed as Category 2 (Endangered) on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's priority list and the Society have made the RBST Show & Sale, held at Stoneleigh in September, the official breed sale.

Regular sales from the Ulverscroft flock at Stoneleigh have resulted in the establishment of a number of new flocks.

In addition, further imports were made in 1998 by Roy Tucker and Kelvin Yue. The British population of registered Galways is now approximately 100 ewes.

Interest in the breed, from commercial sheep breeders, butchers and chefs, is high. The Galway is a big, prolific sheep, with excellent conformation, and the terrific taste of Galway lamb and mutton has to be experienced to be believed.

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