Date: July 2019 (you could be forgiven for thinking it’s 1819)

Location: Arklow, Co Wicklow

This year, under government advisement, Arklow’s Seabreeze festival organizers cancelled their pig race due to the threat of African Swine Fever (previously ignoring pleas to stop it due to the unnecessary distress it causes the pigs).

And then, last minute, the organizers decided to instead ‘race’ sheep who are screamed at from both sides in a totally unnatural and terrifying environment! 

For a town who has just received the green light for a €500M investment (Data Centre) the organisers who run the annual festival are so far behind the times. What a wasted opportunity to move away from this cruel and unnecessary event. 

Is the goal to terrify animals and teach children that this is ok? If so, congrats Arklow Seabreeze Committee, it’s working! 

The stress this causes the animals is beyond cruel and unnecessary.