About Us

NISSA – The Northern Ireland Sheep Shears Association was established in 1998 as a support network and platform for shears, wool handlers & those interested in sheep shearing and wool handling as a livelihood.

As part of NISSA’s ethos, members strive to promote sheep shearing with professionally organised and maintained competitions throughout Ireland; including The Royal Ulster, The All Ireland & NISSA Shears.

NISSA is a charitable, non profit organisation that aims to maintain high standards of shearing in Northern Ireland. It also encourages newcomers to the shearing world by promoting beginner courses through CAFRE with a wide range of courses province wide.

The committee at NISSA is made up of volunteers who willingly give their time at the shows; not just on the day, but in the months and weeks before to ensure smooth and efficient competitions. Our current Chairman is Walter Hoy with Gareth Kelly as Vice Chairman. Meetings are held three times a year usually February, September and November / December (AGM). Details of when meetings are due to be held will be posted online in advance and on our Facebook page.

Other committee members include

Secretary	Gerard Kelly
Treasurer	Ian Montgomery
Public Relations	Jayne Harkness-Bones

 

NISSA is an independent charity aiming to generate a cohesive network of like minded people to produce great shearing at a world class level. All competitions associated with NISSA have to be affiliated to BISCA – The British Isles Shearing Competitions Association. This ensures that a standard of rules and regulations are adhered to at all competitions to provide a level playing field across the UK and Ireland in machine shearing, blade shearing & wool handling.