I am not quite sure my idea of craic would be a 50-hour gruelling challenge of endurance, but hats off to Kerry farmer James O’Connor who completed a remarkable feat of shearing 2,021 sheep in 50 hours. The event, which took place in Dingle Mart last weekend, was in aid of raising money for Kerry Hospice Foundation and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Unit in Castlemaine School.

The figures are impressive, with James maintaining pace throughout and shearing an average of 40 sheep per hour. In a fitting tribute, the Kerry shearer dedicated the final hour of shearing to Breda Lynch, one of Ireland’s top shearers, who recently died in a farm accident. The fundraising page on iDonate remains open for donations until 5 August.