The Irish National Sheep Dog Trials are under way in Clonmany on the Inishowen peninsula in Co Donegal.
The three-day event will see 150 sheep dogs and their handlers compete for a chance to represent Ireland at the International Sheep Dog Trials in Scotland next month.
The trials, organised by a voluntary committee, provide an opportunity to witness the partnership between farmers and their dogs, showcasing their skills in a series of tasks.
Irish National Chairman James McGee said "it is both an honour and privilege" to bring the trials back to Donegal.
The last national was held in Clonmany in 1979.
Sean and Mary Doherty from Clonmany have allowed the trials to be held on their land.
The Irish National Sheep Dog Trials are organised under the umbrella of the International Sheep Dog Society, which is the governing body of the four nations: Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales.
Each country holds a national trial every year comprising of the top 150 sheep dogs and their handlers in each country.
The national trials allow for the selection of the top 15 from the 150 competitors, who then go head-to-head at the International Sheep Dog Trials held in September.
How do competitions work?
The National Singles Trials are run over a 400-yard course with five sheep and there is a maximum time of 15 minutes to complete the course.
There are two judges.
The maximum points achievable for the perfect run is 220, with each judge allowed to award 110 points each.
Judges mark penalties deducted for errors made by the dog.
The scoring is a test of accuracy based on seven different criteria.
Dogs are first assessed on the outrun to the sheep and then the lift, where the dog makes their introduction to the sheep.
They are then assessed on the fetch, where the dog brings the sheep back towards the handler, followed by the drive, where the dog moves the sheep steadily between each point.
Dogs are also judged on the shed, the dog's ability to keep the sheep in a circle called the 'shedding ring’ and then split two sheep off the main group.
Finally, they are assessed on the pen, where the sheep must be brought into a small pen, and the single, where the sheep are brought out of the pen back into the shedding ring.
This year’s event is sponsored by SSE Renewables.
Chairperson of the Donegal Committee James P McGee said they "look forward to welcoming participants and spectators to Clonmany for a fantastic family-focused event".
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